Yeah the one from the Bible. It seems Christianity is based almost as much on the vision of Paul as the teachings of Jesus. Now I've heard a mixed bag on this man, but the fact is he played a huge part in shaping Christianity as we know it today.
I'm not looking for his biography, more if you think his teachings are parallel with those of Jesus, or if he's a nutbag, or somewhere in between.
2007-05-13 15:37:59 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I think he was a closet homosexual who hated his sexual feelings. This comes out in writings as a disgust with all forms of sexuality.
Other than that, he seems to follow much of the teachings of Jesus. I think he fully expected Jesus to return in his lifetime and this is in line with what Jesus also believed. I think he felt Jesus had some sort of god link but was unclear on exactly what it was and this is also in line with what Jesus said.
The major theological idea that he introduced was the sacrifice of Jesus as necessary for salvation. While Jesus spoke of dying, he never really developed the idea that his death was necessary as the ultimate blood sacrifice for the sin of Adam.
2007-05-13 15:41:45 · answer #1 · answered by Dave P 7 · 2⤊ 3⤋
You asked a great question. I feel that his teachings are parallel with those of Jesus and also somewhat of an expansion. Remember the letters he wrote to the early churches were designed to help them understand what Christ's sacrifice truly entailed, remind them of all that God had done throughout the ages for them and help them understand what the choice to be a christian on a daily basis would require.
I don't think he was insane because the things that happened to him (his blindness and regaining of sight) were witnessed by those who accompanied him on his mission to kill the early christians. Hearing the voice of Christ seemed real enough to them and the fact that he changed views 180 degrees overnight implies that something significantly real happened to him on that Damascus road.
A final thought, you've probably already heard this but it's been said that a man will die for something he believes in, he may even die for something that he doesn't know the truth about (such as in several religions over the last thousand years) but no one will willingly die for a lie. Paul believed these things were real enough that he was beheaded for them, so were many other thousands of christians throughout the ages.
2007-05-13 22:51:39 · answer #2 · answered by cropdownunder 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
One of the reasons I finally cast off religion. I studied the bible thoroughly, and finally realized that Paul was an opportunistic guy who adopted the early teachings of others (disciples) as his own, and set out to dictate how everyone was to believe. Very few christian teachings seem to be based on what the supposed leader, Jesus, said, more seem to be based or preached on from what Paul said. Made no sense to me.
2007-05-13 23:39:44 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rabbi Saul is perhaps the greatest unsung hero of Judaism since Moses.
He knew that if he did not do something drastic then the precious covenant given to the Jews could be lost and redirected to the followers of Jesus, the Jewish Messiah.
After reading about the two sons of Isaac where it says Jacob would even use deception to get the blessing of the covenant from his father it is not hard to see how a very religious Jew would do whatever was necessary to make sure Judaism maintained the covenant.
He "converted" and then helped introduce some very powerful and wise changes to the message of Jesus that would insure the theological superiority of Judaism over these "renegades:.
2007-05-13 22:50:43 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Peace and blessing to everyone- christian or not...
Paul was a great believer in Jesus Christ- you can tell this by the words that came out of his mouth- they were inprired by the holy spirit. Just like to the best preachers you here today don't depend on themselves (some are just great speakers, not preachers) to deliver the message, they pray and depend on the Holy Ghost.
Paul's teaching were always prefaced by giving all glory to Christ Jesus:
1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, 2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) 3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
Romans 1:1-3 (KJV)
Paul taught us to not be conformed to this world- he knew how tricky it was and will be:
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Romans 12:2 (KJV)
While I believe he was an awesome believer and teacher- I don't believe in pray to him as catholicism would teach- he was still a born sinner, and CANNOT HEAR YOUR PRAYERS.
2007-05-14 04:26:02 · answer #5 · answered by jesusisking51 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Paul was picked by Christ to spread the word to the Gentiles.
His mission was not the same as the writers of the Gosplel. His calling was to provide a systematic account of Christian doctrine what it meant, how to act and to progress as a Christian.
So in that respect the practice of Christianity is given by Paul based on the teachings of Our Lord.
2007-05-13 22:50:23 · answer #6 · answered by John 1:1 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Such a good question. I was among those who considered Paul's writtings to be missplaced in scripture. And whilst I was writting a lengthy essay on this, I stumbled upon scripture that told me not only that I was wrong, but to examine his writtings again with prayer.
The scriptures that showed me this were 2Peter 3:15-17. So we must be careful not to discount Pauls teachings, but equally careful not to misapply them.
15 And account [that] the longsuffering of our Lord [is] salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
16 As also in all [his] epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as [they do] also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know [these things] before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
Christianity as we know it today is largely from those who have misapplied Paul's teachings. He never said that we should not be circumsised in the flesh for instance, only that it would do you no good to have others compell you to be circumsised in the flesh. If you are convicted by the Holy Spirit that you need to be circumsised in the flesh, then do it without delay. Just as you should do all things of which the Spirit convicts you. (Paul even assisted another man to be circumsised at the temple during one of his visits there.)
The Spirit will convict each of his sin, it is not for the church, nor a priest or minister to do. If we obey the Spirit, or indeed disobey the Spirit, that remains between us and the Spirit. and as we know from what Yahushua (Jesus) said, Blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.
Shalom
2007-05-13 22:51:58 · answer #7 · answered by Stephen 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Paul explained what Jesus did, such as how Jesus laid down his life for the salvation of the world. Paul's teachings are inspired by the holy spirit to become part of the Word of GOd (The HOly BIble)
2007-05-13 22:43:20 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Paul is the Biblical equivalent of a self aggrandizing used car salesman that needs to make his monthly number of suckers.
2007-05-13 22:44:02 · answer #9 · answered by Terry 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
He was a great example of Humility.
Ephesians 3
8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
2007-05-14 01:26:36 · answer #10 · answered by Minister Paul 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋