Why do Christians quote the writings of Paul?

Question

Why is it that Christians often explain their beliefs (especially when it comes to homosexuality) by quoting the books about and writings of Paul (Acts, Romans, Corinthians, Phillippians, Thessalonians), instead of relying on the Gospels of Christ (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John)? Paul never met Christ, and was often at odds with St. Peter, finally breaking ties with Peter (the "rock" on which Christ said His church would be built) a few years later.

If Peter was the rock on which Christ's church was to be built, and Paul never met Christ and broke away from Peter, why does the work of Paul have so much influence over Christianity today compared to the Gospels and the works of Peter?

Answer 1

uh, I think Paul did meet Christ...

but you are right... it was the catholic church that put so much stock into the writings of Paul... he was a roman, remember, not a jew, and being pretty much the only apostle who was able to read and write... there was more of his writings out there than anyone elses. the (Roman) catholic church decided a long time ago what went into the Bible and what didn't so it's no wonder that more space is given to him than Jesus in the NT.

if you doubt what paul says, pray to God and ask him to show you whether or not his writings are the truth or not... that is the only real way to find out... Neither I or anyone else should tell you what to believe.

Answer 2

For one thing the majority of the NT was written by Paul. I know a lot of people are "anti Paul" but really you shouldnt be any more than you should be "Anti Peter" Yes, both were at odds at points but, neither rejected the other. Paul didn't like that Peter still taught Jewish ways, teaching curcumsision and traditions etc, Paul didn't agree, but he never said Peter was wrong or that we shouldnt listen to him. In fact, he said that if anyone comes teaching something different than what he and the other apostles taught (including Peter) they should be forever accursed. If you read the writings of Paul and the writings of Peter, they agree, though only Paul mentions homosexuality, Peter mentions "sexual immorality" which INCLUDES homosexuality in The Law. Both speak against women speaking in churches, and agree on the Diety of Christ.

If Paul was after himself, he would have said so, he would have told everyone not to pay attention to what the other apostles were saying. A good example of this is Billy Graham. Billy Graham doesn't agree with some of the things Jerry Falwell and even his own son teaches but never trashes them. Never says not to listen, he just says their ways are not like his own but most importantly they teach Jesus and the way to Salvation through Him.

Answer 3

Read the account in Acts of Jesus knocking Paul (then called Saul, on his way to Damascus to persecute Chrstians) senseless and blind. That sounds like a meeting to me! That was when Jesus made Paul the apostle to the Gentiles.

Jesus came to the Jews first, as the Messiah of God's Chosen People. He fulfilled the letter of the law down to the very last point, including all the dietary rules, and all of the moral ones. Most Jews rejected Jesus as their Messiah, so, to make the Jews jealous and turn back to God again, (Paul actually says this in Romans 11) God appointed Paul to take the Gospel to the Gentiles, whom the Jews despised.

A HUGE difference between the way Judaism and Christianity was practiced was the elimination of Jewish ceremonial laws, for example circumcision and restrictions against eating unclean animals. To become Christians, Gentiles did not have to become Jews first--they could go straight to Christ.

Both of the disagreements between Paul and Peter were over this issue of accepting Gentiles into the Church. Jews traditionally wouldn't even EAT with Gentiles, so it was all rather hard for Peter to swallow. But the rift wasn't permanent; otherwise there would be two streams of Christianity, one tracing its roots to Peter and one tracing its roots to Paul, and no such dichotomy exists. In fact, God gave Peter a vision (see book of Acts) showing him that all animals were now considered "clean" for Christians to eat.

Naming homosexual acts as abominations, (note ACTS, not temptations, or inclinations) was not Paul's idea. It is repeated over and over again in the Old Testament. Unlike restrictions for eating unclean animals, ritual impurity, rules for animal sacrifices (which Christ's death rendered unnecessary and obsolete), homosexual acts were morally wrong, not just ceremonially wrong. Lying, murder, adultery were likewise condemned by the Old Testament, and by Christ.

Answer 4

between the justifications that Paul is extensively quoted (by using many denominations, no longer in elementary terms conservatives) is using the fact his letters have been letters of coaching on a thank you to habit the worries of the religion. Jesus's teachings are elementary to the religion and can be well-known, yet maximum folk discover it lots extra undemanding in the event that they do no longer might desire to stay the 'spirit' of the regulation, that's at the back of the instructions of Jesus. Paul's instructions are extra like a handbook, somewhat than a handbook, and Jesus, jointly as he might have standard a church, offered no genuine suggestion recorded interior the scriptures on a thank you to run that church.

Answer 5

WRONG !
Paul (Saul ) met Christ on the road to Damascus. Saul was a biblical scholar who was converted on that day and was afterwords known as Paul. He was widely known to persecute Christians throughout Judea and spread the Word w/ greater zeal after his dramatic conversion. It was Saul who held the coats when Steven was stoned.

Answer 6

I ask this question all of the time. Paul was to Christians what Hitler was to Jews until this supposed vision of Christ he had (isn't it convenient that Paul had No witness to this vision). If Hitler said he saw the god of the Jews and it inspired him to write holy scripture, which was to be added to the Torah, the Jews would say HELL NO! but the Christians are so willing to accept the teachings of Paul who exterminated Christians!!!!!!!!!

I believe that Paul succeeded in his mission to rid the world of Christianity. If you notice, when he came into the scene he rejected all the rules and guidelines for life set in the Torah and CONFIRMED by JESUS himself when he said 'I did not come to change the law (old testament), but to fulfil (confirm) it'. But here comes Paul saying it is OK to eat pork, that circumcision is no longer an obligation, teachings that go against the Torah.

Wake up Christians, Paul has corrupted your faith with pagan ideals and the destruction of the law

Answer 7

All writings of Paul of Tarsus were inspired writings, and Jesus Himself called out to Paul on the road to Damascus. Paul's are some of the most inspired writings of the New Testament.

Answer 8

Because these were not only their own opinions, these morals were held by all jews and christians alike.

Even the romans didn't like these things even though they tolerated them more.

This about morals.


The pauline epistles tend to be overemphasized by protestant christians beause it's in Paul's writing they find most ground for their innovations of christian doctrine. Luther even added the word alone after the word faith in his own german translation of the new testament.

He thought the other letters were "straw" especially James since they seemed to contradict his teaching "faith alone".

Well you just have to take them all together not just your own favorite parts.

Answer 9

Why do Christians always shove their beliefs down everyone's throat?

Answer 10

One fable as good as another!