Since Paul didn't look at things the way Jesus did, should we take any of his books seriously?Can we afford to

Answer 1

Many thoughtful Christians and Biblical scholars have questioned the influence and validity of Paul's influence on early Christianity.

"...it is...a fact of history that St. Paul and his successors added to,..., or imposed upon, or substituted another doctrine for...the plain...teachings of Jesus..."
H.G. Wells (1866-1946)

"The conversion of Paul was no conversion at all: it was Paul who converted the religion that has raised one man above sin and death into a religion that delivered millions of men so completely into their dominion that their own common nature became a horror to them, and the religious life became a denial of life."
George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950)

Paul never met Jesus but instead wrote based on visions he claimed to have of Jesus. There have been those who contend that the original followers, the successor to James and the apostles of Jesus (whether they number twelve or not), were the Jewish Christians (called Nazarenes and Ebionites), who never preached of a heavenly divine Jesus. They fought Pauline Christianity to the end of their days. Jesus did not talk about the atonement and that this innovation came from Paul of Tarsus. It is to Paul that Christianity should trace its roots. The origins of Christianity as we know it came, not from Jesus, but from Paul.

A comparison of how views that we can attribute to Jesus do not match what Paul taught at link below.

Answer 2

Very Good Question! No we should not accept Paul's teachings. He never even met Jesus. The original followers of Jesus (the Ancient Essenes) don't accept Paul because of this. He made up his own ideas as did King Constantine who changed the Bible and added Paul to it. It was easy to do back then because only the higher ups in the Church and government had copies and women couldn't read. The Essenes hid an original copy of the New testament (only Jesuses teachings) in a Buddhist temple. Why? because they knew King Constantine wouldn't find it there. They also had to go into hiding because the Essenes where being killed by the Government for proclaiming Jesus as the Truth. For info google gospelofthenazirenes.com Totally enlightening. Now I Know what Jesus said and that Paul was a rascal.

Answer 3

well, Paul did say he met Jesus in his dreams. But so do many people. I must say I do find it rather suspicious sometimes when people argue some point solely on the letters of Paul...
But the real issue is that the scriptures that now make the New Testament were just some among the many circulating in the first three centuries AD, and that the church fathers in those days often listed wildly varying lists of texts for very varying reasons.

Answer 4

Just remember Paul was a lawyer. They don't look at anything the way normal people do. That does not make him a bad person though. Since he was chosen by Jesus after his resurrection, we should accept him as Jesus did.

Answer 5

I have wanted Paul's version of Jesus out of the Bible for quite a while now (you know I always say this if you see my answers about Paul). I think Paul had an unfortunate impact on the followers of Jesus. Jesus deserves respect and he gets it from me but I feel Paul was extremely narrow-minded. I don't mind the thumbs down for this one. He didn't seem very compassionate to me. (Buddhist)

Answer 6

Your statement is highly debated by bible scholars. You can't assume "Paul didn't look at things the way Jesus did." That's one opinion formed by one school of thought.

Take this into consideration -- Paul literally SAW Jesus on the road to Damascus. The only reason he became a Christian at all, and stopped killing them, was because of his encounter with Jesus, who said "why are persecuting me?"

Hence, whatever Paul preached/did, had to be from Christ right? If Christ was the only one who made him a Christian, how would Christ allow him to stray into false doctrine and self-interest? It doesn't make sense, given that Paul's understanding of Christ came from Christ Himself, and the Holy Spirit.

Don't worry, Paul is trustworthy.

Answer 7

Paul studied under Jesus for many years. Just because people have different viewpoints, it doesn't mean they dint agree on the same doctrine. For example, there are many pessimistic and optimistic Christians. Different viewpoints are necessary in order to reach all kinds of people. How can you not afford to have such wisdom? .

If we are to be a light to the world,we must see things through the world's eyes. Paul tells us that everything can be a pedestal to glorify God. We are called to become all things!

PS. I really cant recall a place in the bible where Paul's views differed from Jesus' beyond simple human nature.

Answer 8

From where did you get the idea that they are in disagreement? I believe they are of one accord; both can be trusted. Some claim that Paul's doctrine of Christ's divinity was counter to Jesus' teachings, but this isn't so. Jesus said, "I and the Father are one" and "before Abraham was, I am." Both taught that salvation was through Christ and not through human effort. So, I must disagree with your presupposition.

Answer 9

The apostle Paul looked at everything exactly the same way that Jesus did! Paul was schooled by Jesus himself.

Answer 10

What scripture do you have to support that claim? I personally believe that Paul's writings are for the betterment of all Christians. His books are to show the church how to live as Christ would want them to live.

In Jesus Name