why did saul/paul and john the baptist write about themselves in third person?

Question

Could it be because they were trying to save their bad reputations?

Answer 1

How much misinformation can be fausted upon this topic without condemnation... If you are going to make statements, at least get the facts right..don't continue making them up.

Answer 2

I very soundly disagree with the answer "One Angry Woman"
gave you! NO! They were NOT liars! What a sad person she is.

None of these saints had bad reputations! Where on earth did
you ever get that idea? John the Baptist was foretold in the Old
Testament in the Bible as the one who would come who would
come before Jesus, and then He himself said to his own disciples "He must increase and I must decrease" he sent them
to Jesus. The disciple Paul met the Lord Christ on the road to
Demascus, as He revealed Himself to him. The Holy Spirit
actually wrote the New Testament. Saul wrote that way because
he was under the influence of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit
always speaks of God - never Himself. Thats why it is in the 3rd
person - after all, He is the 3rd person of the Godhead - the
Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit -
What more evidence do you need? Read it for yourself!

Answer 3

Symptoms of Dissociative Identity Disorder include the existence of two or more distinct personalities within one body who have separate existences and experiences and who take over functioning of the body at different times....

this *prolly* don't apply to JTB, but who knows fer shore....

By today's standards Saul/Paul referring to themselves in the third person and exhibiting to separate identities (really fragmented identities as the current theory holds that there can only be one true "personality" and that the fragmentation merely creates the 'illusion' of separateness) suggests a possible diagnosis of DID.

It could be that Paul was trying to save *his* reputation, while Saul had completely different reasons for doing so.

It would be forensically impossible to do a full diagnostic workup NOW, but who knows could also be the very first documented case of DID in existence and over 2000 throwing a monkey wrench in wicked ongoing debate in the field of psychology.

Never hurts to theorize....

Answer 4

Sometimes a person that is close to Christ will talk about themselves in the third person so as to not build themselves up or make that they think of themselves more than they should. In other words to be humble of heart.
Paul certainly was not trying so save his "bad reputation". He knew how bad his reputation was and he knew how much he had to make up for. He called himself the "chief of all sinners" because he used to persecute the Church.
John the baptist had a "bad reputation" with Herod and his wife. He lost his head over it.
Actually, Christ had a bad reputation and was crucified.

Answer 5

John the Baptist never wrote a book that's in the New Testament. John the Revelator did, however.

Answer 6

It is simply because Saul/Paul and John were fictional characters coined by brilliant authors hired to make a good religious story that would make a perfect epilog for the Bible.

Answer 7

Saul/Paul maybe ,, but John didnt have a bad reputation.

Answer 8

Yes. Paul was like a used care saleman for Jesus. he was just a liar. John the Baptist/Revelator saw visions in hsi head but he could be lying as well.

Answer 9

Take the book of Romans for instance Paul did not write it with his physical hands but he dictated it as Tertius wrote it. I think that it was done for clarity.

Answer 10

The vision John saw on Pat mos was in person!
Rev 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
Rev 1:2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
Rev 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
Rev 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Rev 1:12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
Rev 1:13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
Rev 1:14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;
Rev 1:15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.
Rev 1:16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
Rev 1:17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:
Rev 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
John had a personal meeting with GOD(Jesus)Rev 1:17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead.
IN Christ in Love,
TJ57