How can one accept Paul's letters in the Bible when they differ so radically from the teachings of Jesus? Last

Question

time I asked this question, a lot of nuts said they taught the same thing. One even said Paul studied under Jesus for several years, while they never met in life, Paul merely claiming that he had a dream in which Jesus spoke to him. Aside from Paul speaking against Gays, which Jesus did not, Paul's whole philosophy differs from Jesus but still became the basis of Christianity, ignoring the real teachings of Jesus. Surely this is obvious to anyone who has read the several books (or letters) of Paul. Ignorance is not pretty in a Christian.

Somebody will probably object to my reference to Paul's "dream", so call it a vision if that makes you feel better.

Answer 1

Well, first off, how do you know what the teachings of Jesus are? None of the authors of the New Testament met Jesus. Paul was the earliest author, writing around 40 CE. He never mentions an earthly life of Jesus at all, and his writings say he never met him in person, only in a vision. "Mark" wrote the first gospel no earlier than 70 CE, probably closer to 90. There is no way he could have met Jesus.
Between the gospels and several other NT books, there are some common quotations. The presumed source of these common words is a source often called "Q". It has never been found. There is no way of knowing if the author of that book met Jesus, or accurately reflected his words.

Answer 2

I can fully understand your concern. And your question is definitely a good one.

So, let's look at what the New Testament says about it, and then look at some history around the NT's development. Well, you must admit that the physician Luke, who was known to be contemporary and a disciple firstly of the twelve apostles, and then later Paul himself, wrote the Acts of the Apostles (Luke 1:1-4; Acts 1:1-2). He does mention that Paul saw Jesus in His resurrected and glorified state on the road to Damascus (Acts 9), not in a dream. Luke recorded that He was not sleeping, but was fully cognizant. Then he was struck blind until he came to the house of Ananias in Damascus (Acts 9:10-18).

Peter, who of course was with Jesus for those three years, and was the first apostle to recognize who Jesus really was, makes it crystal clear that he saw Paul writing's as inspired and edifying to all believers (2 Peter 3:5-6). Also, Paul does quote the OT often in all his letters, which Jesus said were written about him (Luke 24:27).

So, how is it that you say he ignored the teachings of Jesus? I think you are correct if you mean to say that his teaching was different in style, and was written for a very different reader than the other apostles such as James, Peter, and John. Paul was a Jewish scholar and wrote that way, while country bumpkin Peter's style was much more just that; very common. Paul wrote mostly to gentile converts, while Peter apparently wrote to OT well-taught messianic Jews who attended synagogue in the regions of Syria and Judea. Yes, they all had their own style and had particular readers in mind when they were conveying their message. This is what really makes the difference which you have raised.

Believe me, Jesus would not have delivered a sermon on the mount that's recorded in the gospel of Matthew, on Aeropagus, or Mars Hill in Athens, as he did in Capernaum of Galilee. People would've looked at him like he was speaking in some kind of unfamiliar and technical Greek dialect, or an advanced class on Judaism, and not Greek culture, philosophy and religious beliefs, to which they were familiar. No, he would've spoken in a style much more similar to Paul's. This is why Paul and Jesus are so different. The message is still the same [i.e., Paul's "It is by faith you have been saved" (Ephesians 2:8a) in comparison to Jesus' "Whosoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16)] Is not this the same message?

In addition, Jesus spoke of any sexual behavior outside of the marital bond to be breaking God's law. It is why he used the greek word "porneia", which means just that, when he was speaking to the pharisees in Matthew 5:27-28, 19:3-9. Again, Paul is in agreement with this (1 Corthians 7:1-3). He rather conveys his message about this truth by giving many examples of what "porneia", or fornication, would be in Romans 1:26-32, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, and 1 Timothy 1:10.

Lastly, using the argument that because Jesus never said anything specifically about same sex sexual conduct, means that He somehow OK's or endorses it is a clear logical fallacy (a non-sequitor). He doesn't mention about beastiality either. Does that also then include an endorsement by Him? Of course not. No, the reason why He doesn't mention either, as well as a whole host of other sexual expressions outside of marriage is because his Jewish culture did not have any qualms about these concerns; so why would He mention them?

Answer 3

Jesus taught the Apostles while he was alive, but he also taught them after his resurrection. Jesus communicated with Paul on the road to Damascus.
Didn't Jesus say talking about marriage, "What God has joined together, let no man put asunder?" Do you think he was talking about gays? Absolutely not.
Jesus wasn't a pretty little nice guy. He said what he had to say and did it well. He threw the money changers out of the Temple precinct areas. He admonished the Pharisees who refused to believe in the resurrection after death.
If a man looks at a woman and sins about her in his own heart, what do you think gays do by sleeping with man and man and woman and woman.
You are a literalist who want to see everything like a lawbook. And this was St. Paul's major point, the Gospels don't contain everything Jesus said and did.
As part of the college of Apostles, Paul knew the mind of Christ.

Answer 4

I can understand what you are saying, but my belief about what you say are 'differences' to the teachings of Jesus' is that 1) as Paul ministered and met more people (different walks of life) he had to structure his teachings to accommodate the Gentiles. 2) Jesus was on earth for a short period of time and each of the disciples taught what HE taught and tailored it to the people they dealt with. Keep in mind also that even though Jesus was no longer on the scene - where did Paul get his information? How was he able to continue to teach the people? The Holy Spirit. He is the teacher in Jesus' place. I believe that whatever Paul's teachings were - they were guided by the Holy Spirit and his teachings were refined and good for the people then - and good for us today.

Answer 5

What Bible are you reading? My Bible is a NIV chosen for it's ease of understanding . I didn't find Paul's teachings or philosophy different than Jesus' . Each of his letters are directed to a specific person or group , and refer to very specific things that he experienced in his traveling ministry . In other words he was speaking directly to these people . He minced no words and was very strong in his testamony .But you must understand to whom he was speaking and about what he was refering . I can honestly say I only understood a fraction of the Bible until I read the whole thing from beginning to end . Previously my knowledge had been subjects chosen randomly (the way they do it in church )and that's no way to understand what any book is saying . It's wonderful to me now . Paul and his Armour Of God is written while he was in prison for his beliefs , (he died there )Ephesians 6:10-6:20 ,are some of the most moving words I have ever heard . I never tire of reading it aloud . He was an ambassador in chains , in prison and suffering , he never lost faith , and never stopped trying to comfort others with the Word . If he sometimes preached strongly it was because he knew his time was short and he had much to accomplish . I think he was very courageous and I admire him greatly . Jesus and His disciples did everything they could to spread the Word amongst the Jewish community , then it was left up to Paul to spread it to the rest of the world . What an amazing task . Just think , no phones , no internet , just feet and word of mouth to get a message to the whole world . I can't even image attempting this .

Answer 6

I don't know which Bible you have read but it seems to me that your usage of the term 'ignorance' as applied to Christians is somewhat restricted. It should include others as well - maybe people who have a superficial knowledge of the scriptures and think they know it ALL.

As it relates to gays, Jesus NEVER rejected the Pentateuch but rather the additional burdens added to the law by the religious leaders. If you have access to one of those Bibles where quotes from the Old Testament are indicated in CAPITAL LETTERS, you will find Jesus quoting often from the Books of Moses, including the one about God who made male and female in the beginning.

And you need to understand that Jesus in the New Testament is the SAME God of the Old Testament who directed Moses to write the first FIVE books of the Old Testament, the same one from the three who visited Abraham, then sent the other two (angels) to Sodom to destroy it.

Have I made my point?

Answer 7

First, you ask Paul when he was taken up to the third heaven and received revelations directly from the throne of God.

Secondly, Paul taught under grace, Jesus taught under the law.
Lastly, not everything Jesus did could be recorded in the Bible.

Then tell me what is so "radically" different of his teachings.

Answer 8

One can accept Pauls letters because God Himself appointed Paul "the apostle to the Gentiles"...no one else has this title, nor were they given the "dispensation of the GRACE of God" to deliver unto we who ARE the Body of Christ.

Paul and Peter definitely didnt teach the same things. Peter was a minister to the circumcision/which means to a predominately JEWISH audience with the focus being the law of MOSES and PROPHECY.

Paul, on the other hand, was a minister to the UNcircumcision/which means to jew and gentile ALIKE under a totally NEW dispensation (HOUSE RULES changed) with the focus on the MYSTERY truths which were HID IN GOD and KEPT SECRET until due time (Rom. 16:25)

Paul didnt claim to have any DREAM. He claimed to have been visited by Christ RISEN from the dead and that this same Christ REVEALED things to him that had before been SECRET and UNTRACEABLE in the OT.

Jesus Christs ministry on the earth, in his own words, was to "the lost sheep of the house of ISRAEL." We who were gentiles in times PAST were "aliens to the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, WITHOUT God and without HOPE" Eph. 2:12.

Peter and the 12 , along with Christs earthly ministry, was to the nation ISRAEL, as all the nations of the earth were to be blessed THRU her believing. She didnt cooperate, and so God put into play His SECRET plan which He had "from BEFORE The foundations of the world', and set ISRAEL aside temporarily , to usher in a whole NEW plan and program, with a NEW apostle, with NEW information, and the formation of a NEW entity which is called the BODY of Christ.

Peter didnt preach Christianity....he preached JUDAISM. Paul introduced Christianity and GRACE, along with NEW house rules that justified both jew and gentile ALIKE, WITHOUT coming thru the law OR the Nation Israel.

You are right...ignorance is NOT pretty in a BELIEVER. Paul is the one who warns us NOT to be IGNORANT of the mystery truths entrusted to we who are members of His BODY. Most professing believers cannot tell you what these fourteen doctrines (not found ANYWHERE but in Pauls epistles) ARE, let alone what the gospel of OUR salvation IS today.

Can you?

Answer 9

Sorry you just don't get it. Paul's teachings do not differ from Christ's teachings period. Did Jesus not claim to be God? that is why they crucified Him. Is God not the author of the scriptures ? old and new testament? if not then toss the bible out it is just another book written by man. Give up on the gay issue, it is obviously clear how much it is an abomination to God, it is nihilistic and is not God's way. God loves the sinner but not the sin. Excuse me but your ignorance is showing!

Answer 10

I don't. Some Christians are so excited about Paul. Personally, I don't agree with all of Paul's teachings and much of it is his own opinion. He didn't know Jesus.