How do we answer Muslim assertions that St. Paul the Apostle was a false prophet?

[mackbrislawn]

Sure, we accept the Council of Jerusalem, but it seems some of the Jerusalem church still did not, and they would think that it was Paul who was teaching a wrong gospel. And these Judaizers were still around, even into the 2nd century. We know the Ebionites persisted for some time afterwards.

That’s right. The time span from Damascus to Jerusalem is not actually mentioned, even though one would naturally assume, from reading Acts, he went to Jerusalem pretty much right away–we otherwise know about the three year delay because of what Paul says in Galatians. But anyway, that’s how the seeming discrepancy is explained, although it’s the three year gap that is the point, not the discrepancy.

2nd Peter speaks of “brother” Paul. But if one does not accept 2nd Peter as written by him, but much later, it is meaningless, because it was written by Pauline followers. But we do accept the canon of the Church, even if the Judaizers do not.

 

[ericc]

I think we shouldn’t get hung up on who actually wrote which letters. In those days it is the norm to have someone write on your behalf. Perhaps it is one of the disciples, a trusted co worker , an admirer, a friend. If this task has been entrusted to another, the person doing the actual writing will not dream of claiming it is his work, although it may reflect his style of writing. His teacher may be in prison, on the run from the authorities, or sick . We know Peter is on the run. As long as the Church sees fit, perhaps verified through the grapevine or other means, to acknowledge it is Peters’, all is well. For Hebrews, no acknowledgement of author, yet it is canon.

The time span from Damascus to Jerusalem is not actually mentioned, even though one would naturally assume, from reading Acts, he went to Jerusalem pretty much right away

We shouldn’t assume because there were no chapters and verses that breaks up the Bible as we have it today. Chapters and verses breakout is a late invention. Hence people often run into problems assuming things just plod along nicely. If we read it as just chunks of information, no such assumption is warranted.