Critics trashing the Apostle Paul

[JK8619]

This is more me venting than anything. I have noticed lately that quite a few people have gotten into trashing the Apostle Paul. It’s actually quite irritating. Its not even just atheists, but also Jews, so-called Christians, and others. This stuff has been on TV and all over the internet.

One slander I have heard is that he is the true founder of Christianity and made a mess of things in the process. People say things like he started a false religion and persecuted Jews.

I have also heard people claim that he was an evil Jewish spy, who was trying to infiltrate the Christian movement and destroy it from within.

I have heard a lot of other bizarre things lately that I do not wish to go into now. It just really blows my mind that so many people are saying these things. I don’t get why he seems to be the number one target lately.

Paul was a great man and his first epistle to the Corinthians is one of my favorite books in the bible.

 

[ConstantineTG]

St. Paul did considerably change Christianity in the First Century. He actively started preaching the Gospel to the Gentiles. This is significant. In the early history of the Church, many thought the Church to be nothing more than a sect of Judaism (which by the First Century has broken into many sects). It is easy for someone to look at the Church and say that St. Paul did change it character as he did bring a lot of Gentiles into the Church, which wasn’t the norm prior to his active ministry. St. Peter brought Cornellius in but it was more of a one-off thing than the active ministry of St. Paul. And the accusations are nothing new, if you read Acts you will see how Jews hate him for teaching that the Gentiles need not become Jews to become Christians.

 

[JK8619]

St. Paul did considerably change Christianity in the First Century. He actively started preaching the Gospel to the Gentiles. This is significant. In the early history of the Church, many thought the Church to be nothing more than a sect of Judaism (which by the First Century has broken into many sects). It is easy for someone to look at the Church and say that St. Paul did change it character as he did bring a lot of Gentiles into the Church, which wasn’t the norm prior to his active ministry. St. Peter brought Cornellius in but it was more of a one-off thing than the active ministry of St. Paul. And the accusations are nothing new, if you read Acts you will see how Jews hate him for teaching that the Gentiles need not become Jews to become Christians.

I understand that he had a great impact on Christianity and its spread, but I just think the criticisms and accusations are unwarranted.

Thanks for the reply,
JK

 

[PCalungsod]

Some groups,sad to say, discredit Apostle Paul because he wasn’t able to meet Christ during His earthly ministry. He’s a “late comer.” If that’s the case, (with all due respect to these groups and sects), then they might as well reject their own group/denomination because they were established in a later time, way,way far even from the time of the Early Church Fathers.

 

[ConstantineTG]

I understand that he had a great impact on Christianity and its spread, but I just think the criticisms and accusations are unwarranted.

Thanks for the reply,
JK

Anything can be criticized depending what one’s position is or what one’s point of view is. From the Jews of the First Century, St. Paul violated their faith. It is a fact of life that we can’t please everybody no matter what we do. Like I said, the accusations are not new. We should just ignore it and carry on.

 

[R_C]

I don’t get why he seems to be the number one target lately.

Paul was a great man

You answered your own question! By God’s will, St. Paul has been one of the most (I’d say the most) visible Christian leader of history. The adversary who longs to destroy the Church will most necessarily begin by attacking the most visible target, a great number of whose writings are actually Sacred Scripture!

It just really blows my mind that so many people are saying these things.

Does it?

If you had been of the world, the world would love its own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember my word that I said to you: The servant is not greater than his master. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you: if they have kept my word, they will keep yours also. …] But that the word written in their law might be fulfilled, They hated me without a cause.

Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for my sake: be glad and rejoice, for your reward is very great in heaven. For so they persecuted the prophets that were before you.

I hear some rather bizarre and unwarranted things not just against St. Paul, but against our beloved Christ and against God, more generally speaking.

One thing I keep in mind: after Christ, all faithful who are in the Church are incorporated into the body of Christ. And Christ said: “Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven”. So let us hope that no matter how many things they tell our Lord - and us because of His living Word - they may ultimately reach salvation by learning the truth… and let’s pray that they are delivered from the terrible unforgivable sins against the Spirit: despair, presumption of God’s mercy, impugning the known truth, envying others’ spiritual good, obstinacy in sin, final impenitence.

 

[Julia_Mae]

I have also heard people claim that he was an evil Jewish spy, who was trying to infiltrate the Christian movement and destroy it from within.

I have heard a lot of other bizarre things lately that I do not wish to go into now…

What’s interesting to me is: I have never heard anything like this.

I think you should find a new barbershop!

 

[mymamamary]

Let the haters hate!!

St. Paul would chew their heads off!!

St. Paul was a tough Saint, like St. Peter. Both gritty men I am sure. Both not afraid to get dirty and loud if need be. St. Paul is a saint I admire, and Hope that He prays for me. He is the greatest missionary of all time. Love you St. Paul!!

Dont forget me down here!!

P.s., Those folks are just jealous cause they aint as Dedicated or as Wise as St. Paul.

 

[pdecann]

But they will not make further progress, for their foolishness will be plain to all, as it was with those two. You have followed my teaching, way of life, purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra, persecutions that I endured. Yet from all these things the Lord delivered me.
In fact, all who want to live religiously in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 2 timothy chapter 3 verses 9-12