Paul and Saul's different view points on Jewish Law?

Question

I have to write a paper that is Saul and his future self (Paul) debating their different views. I have alot of notes on Paul denying Jewish law but we did not really cover why Saul thinks the law is very important and needs to be part of christianity. So if anyone could help me out with this I would really appreciate it...i need to compare and contrast their views on jewish law, circumcision, the figure of abraham, the christian attitude about the messiah and the acceptance of gentiles. And if you know any places in the NT or OT that backup your info. Thanks again!

Answer 1

Saul of Tarsus lived by the law perfectly in his own mind. He was an official, and a devout official of the Religion. When I talk to those who are applying the Law as a means of salvation, they tend to rely on tradition as their key to applying the activities of their lives.

What I would do if I had to do the report is find in the New Testament places where James is speaking or having Paul and others do something. James was a Legalist. And he preached legalism. Apply James as a sort of pseudo Paul. A sort of contemporary to Saul.

For example:
Acts 15
7 After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: "Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. 8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9 He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.
10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? 11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are."

Peter was in alignment to the message of Paul and Jesus, but James was not:

13 When they finished, James spoke up: "Brothers, listen to me. 14 Simon has described to us how God at first showed his concern by taking from the Gentiles a people for himself. "
. . .
19 "It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20 Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. 21 For Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath."

James preached Moses.

Also:
20 "When they heard this, they praised God. Then they said to Paul: "You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law. 21 They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or live according to our customs. 22 What shall we do?"

I figure that this is the type of language Saul had. He was zealous for the Law. Yet after his conversion, he caught Peter backsliding from the truth:

Galatians 2
11 When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. 12 Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group.

Saul would have withstood Peter to the face for being found with the Gentiles. Paul did otherwise.

Answer 2

There isn't much in the NT about Sauls doctrine, however its pretty clear that he was dramatically against Christianity as he held the coats of the pharisees as they stoned Stephen.

You should look into the beliefs of the Gnostics. They were the first century Christians, and Paul was most definitely one of them. It is eye opening.

Paul probably didn't believe the things we think he did.

Answer 3

My suggestion: Paul says that he was a Pharisee, right?

Acts 23:6 But perceiving that one group were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, Paul began crying out in the Council, "Brethren, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees; I am on trial for the hope and resurrection of the dead!"

So: do a study of what the Pharisees believed about the Law (there should be plenty!)...then compare and contrast.

Answer 4

Logically, you will want a few Jewish answers because frankly, Christians seem invariably to get it wrong when they discuss the Tanakh (OT) and also Jewish attitudes at the time of Jesus.

Contrary to what SPLINTER says above, PAUL NEVER MET JESUS.

I would strongly suggest you post your query in the Israel section, under Travel. There are a few really well read people there who will give you great responses.

Answer 5

Saul was a firm believer in Jewish Law. It was his job to seek out and arrest or kill Christians. He was a persecute of Christianity, and was feared through out their world. After he met Jesus, he became a Christian himself, and ultimately one of the best missionaries of all times. Read the book of Acts and Paul's letters to the Churches to learn more about him.

Answer 6

Saul(paul) was a pharasee he did not want ANYTHING to do
with christainty other than to imprison or kill christians....

juadism and christianity do not really mix well....

Answer 7

How come there are no Gnostic chapters in the NT anymore?