I recently bought Brown's "Answering Jewish Objections to Jesus" as a add-on product to Logos Bible Study Software [1].
Last year our minister preached a sermon that the Prophets argued that the Temple and its Sacrificial system of Atonement was unnecessary, instead repentance and prayer was sufficient.
Brown, presents a good essay rebutting this concept in Volume 2 of his work. The essence of his rebuttal is:
- The prophets were arguing against disengenuous worship, not an abandonment of God's commandments, which ordain the priestly order and prescribes the sacrificial system.
- Without genuine repentance from sin and heartfelt love for God, sacrifices and any other act of worship are worthless.
He cites many passages where the Prophets clearly articulated their reverence for the Temple and the work that God required there.
