And is this something Christians still do/have done?
Paul says:
Roman 3: 7 "But if through my lie the truth of God abounded to His glory, why am I also still being judged as a sinner?"
http://bible.cc/romans/3-7.htm
Paul's more infamous deception is the one he candidly admits to: that he "becomes like a Jew in order to win Jews" to the gospel (I Cor 19:20) and "becomes like the lawless in order to win the lawless" (I Cor 19:21).
2007-12-26 09:49:07 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Here's a shocking example from today - Christian missionaries who go to the Muslim world and pretend to be Muslim:
"To win converts in a foreign culture, you must take on the behaviors of that culture, even adopting the rituals of another religion. The practice is called "contextualization," and it's one of the hottest topics among missionaries. The idea is to get away from the old-fashioned practice of importing American-style Christianity, complete with wooden pews and Western hymns. Instead, missionaries today are more likely to take on Muslim names, dress in veils and other local clothing, prostrate themselves during prayer, and even fast during Ramadan. "We must become Muslims to reach Muslims," says Cashin, the CIU professor."
http://www.motherjones.com/news/feature/2002/05/stealth.html
2007-12-26 09:54:17 · update #1
"Did Jesus ever lie?" In unison, the class says, "No."
"But did Jesus raise his hand and say, 'I swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?'" Again, 20 voices call out, "No!"
http://www.motherjones.com/news/feature/2002/05/stealth.html
2007-12-26 09:55:16 · update #2
You have taken this completely out of context in attempt to deceive people. Shame on you.
2007-12-26 09:52:16 · answer #1 · answered by Jeff A 5 · 7⤊ 3⤋
Read the passage. Paul is presenting a hypothetical situation: If he told a lie and it brought glory to God, then why would God judge him negatively for that? The answer doesn't matter; the point is that you've taken a rhetorical question and assumed Paul must've lied, which is clearly not the case.
Paul could present himself "like a Jew" without lying, because he was a Jew. He could become "like a gentile" without lying because he was a Roman citizen. All he's saying is that he presents his message from a point of view that can be understood by his listeners, just as I've dumbed-down the Bible to make it understandable by you. I can say I've become "like the uninformed and uneducated" without lying.
2007-12-26 09:58:05 · answer #2 · answered by Craig R 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Please read the entire chapter 3 of Romans. Paul is using "sarcasm" to bring about some points on what some people of the time believed.
Paul did not have a cult and the only converting he did was to bring others to Christ.
Paul thought as others in order to be able to better communicate with them. He was able to understand the individual customs and "get down to their level" when speaking with them (the lawless and the Jews).
2007-12-26 10:02:41 · answer #3 · answered by TG 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Wow, interesting question!
Do you feel that the Roman Catholics are wrong for the deception that they have placed on the whole world? They kept their pagan rituals and told everyone that it was to allow the pagans to become a part of Christianity.
Yet, your question is about someone who actually wanted people to join the "True" Christian church.
God Bless You
2007-12-26 09:59:27 · answer #4 · answered by B Baruk Today 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Yep. Paul was a self confessed, pathological liar. It's interesting that Christians believe his every word - even though he never met Jesus.....
Christian missionaries also pretend to be Jewish; they call themselves 'completed jews' or 'messianic jews' or 'fulfilled jews' or even 'christian jews'. All of these = Christian.
They answer questions about Judaism - on this site! - by giving Christian theology. I've also seen some of them advise people asking about Judaism to follow the links they give - every time their links lead to, yes you've guessed it: CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES.
2007-12-26 10:09:39 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Become like a jew? Becoming like the lawless? Where exactly is the lie? When did becoming "like" someone constitute lying?
2007-12-26 09:52:59 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
paul repented for his sin .earlier , he used to kill &torture christians who followed Jesus. after he started to believe in Jesus , he preached &many converted listening to him.he didnt create any cult .he peached the path of life which jesus showed
2007-12-26 10:05:51 · answer #7 · answered by aaron 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Paul is quoting another person in Romans 3:7, not quoting himself.
The only lies I see here are yours.
2007-12-26 09:52:09 · answer #8 · answered by Chris 4 · 6⤊ 3⤋
Sounds like he'd make a good politician.
We all play different roles around different people. I think that's what he meant.
2007-12-26 09:53:45 · answer #9 · answered by Prof Fruitcake 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
You are seriously quoting out of context. Take a course in logic.
2007-12-26 09:52:24 · answer #10 · answered by hasse_john 7 · 6⤊ 3⤋