I have a whole bunch of questions about religion...or maybe Christianity is what I have questions about. Christianity is the religion I know most about. It stands to reason then that would be the religion I have the most questions about.
I have had to attend several funerals in the last few weeks. People I have known have departed toward the great Unknown. In every case, the minister preached about what Paul had to say about what Jesus supposedly said. This seems like going the long way around. Why not just quote Jesus? So Question #1....Who was Paul? I asked that question of Lori, and she indicated that she was unhappy about much of what Paul had to say. She also said she didn't want to argue with me about it.
Do I argue? No that is not Question #2.
Question #2...How did Paul get to be such an expert on what Jesus said?
Question #3...Why were Paul's sermons remembered more than someone else's writings or ideas?
#4....Were Paul's beliefs Gospel...or weighty opinions?
#5...Why do both the Catholics and the Protestants both seem to revere Paul so highly?
#6...Is it possible to be a Christian and not believe in Paul?
There that is the beginning of my list of questions...I actually don't expect answers...but maybe I will get some opinions...
Please do not try to figure out what my beliefs are from my questions. Questions and beliefs are not the same thing...OK? In other words, don't beat me up because I am asking questions. If you feel the need to beat me up, maybe you should start a list of questions of your own.
Facebook Badge
Facebook Badge
About Me
- buffalobill
- Retired...I was a Dairy Farmer for 33 years. Then spent 10 years doing that retail thing. Finished out working as a custodian at the Middle school in town. Love to dance and play music with Lori. Spend a lot of time jammin' with friends. My wife Lori and I have started a new phase in life...playing music at Senior Citizen homes. What a great audience!
3 comments:
Well, a lot of what Paul has to say to women does not mesh nicely with modern views and opinions. So it is tempting to say that what he said isn't binding on Christians today, or a reflection of God's will.
Paul was considered an Apostle, though as one "untimely born" because he did see and speak to Jesus, in a vision after Jesus' death (on the road to Damascus). As an apostle, his words are inspired and thus binding. He himself makes a distinction at least once between times that his teaching came from God, and times when it was his opinion.
The book of Acts is good reading for figuring out how the early Church started and how the apostles were chosen.
It is interesting that Paul was one of the most prolific of the writers of the New Testament, even though he did not actually travel and learn from Jesus as the other apostles did. I assume that the other apostles were teaching and spreading the gospel orally and just didn't write as much to be preserved.
We can only speculate on why Jesus chose to appear to Saul (later Paul) to convert him. He wasn't the only one responsible for persecuting Christians. Perhaps it was because of his influence, his fervor, his propensity to communicate in writing, or most likely a combination of things.
A really interesting book on how the Bible came down to us and why the books that we have are considered the inspired scripture (and other books, such as the apocrypha, are not) is "How We Got the Bible" by Neil Lightfoot.
Sorry for the long post. You asked some deep questions, though I know I didn't really address a lot of them. These are just some of my thoughts.
BTW, I stumbled across your blog because of your comments on my husband Brandon's blog.
Amanda...thanks for your comments. I appreciate the input. Another question...Did anyone else witness Paul?Saul's conversion? Like I said...I have questions...Bill
Yes, most important is to decide if you believe the whole Bible is inspired of God. That is where faith comes in. If you do believe it IS actually God's word, then it can open your eyes to all kinds of lessons.
There were others with Saul/Paul at his conversion. If you like, you can read about it in Acts 9. The fact that others witnessed the miracle, and his changed attitude strengthens the accuracy of the story in my opinion. Some folks couldn't hardly believe how he went from threatening Christians to preaching about Christ.
Always good to have an inquisitive mind Bill.
Post a Comment