From the very beginning the ministry of Jesus clashed with the accepted religion of Israel, of Judaism. The Pharisees were a liberalizing party and stood for the spirit of the scriptures, to the letter of which the conservative Sadducees clung. Regardless of the differences between the two parties, it was clear that Jesus did not sanction the ideas being put forward by either party. From the very beginning the ministry of Jesus clashed with the accepted religion of Israel, of Judaism. The Pharisees were a liberalizing party and stood for the spirit of the scriptures, to the letter of which the conservative Sadducees clung. Regardless of the differences between the two parties, it was clear that Jesus did not sanction the ideas being put forward by either party. He said to His disciples, "How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, but that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?"

Richard O. Govier (1928-2018) was a Protestant pastor and missionary and travelled the world in that capacity. He planted a number of churches as well as training pastors who served in Brazil, Chile, Argentina and across the United States.