The only one who could ‘interpret’ Saul’s teaching was Saul.
Since he distorted Torah, winged it on ‘original sin’ - only this
master wordsmith could ‘interpret’ himself. [Saul was a brilliant man,
I’ll give him that. Finest theologian Christianity has ever had.]
As to Saul being a legitimate apostle, the Christian churches
can have him, with my best wishes. :coffeeread:
As to his episode on the road to Damascus [a faith-based belief]
doing a bootlegger’s turn is not unknown to history.
First he’s a passionate Pharisee, then a passionate Christian,
who can’t seem to stay in the saddle - noting a ‘thorn in his flesh’
[maybe he got it when he fell off his horse.]
http://bestsmileys.com/nono/9.gif
reen12
Sadly, there isn’t much love or respect in this post. We need not all agree on this forum, but you do appreciate, I’m sure, that there are many believers in this forum. Lets keep it on the high road - I’m always up for a respectful debate.
As to Paul’s theology - I’ll respectfully disagree. As you apparently are not a Christian, have you in fact read the entire New Testament (and/or the Old Testament)? As to original sin - is there any Jew who really believes themselves righteous in the eyes of the Lord (that’s a rhetorical question - at least I’ve always throught so as Jew (though I now believe in Christ - so a Jewish Christian if you like) and if not, why not? Perhaps its a hang up with the word “original sin” - but even Jews will admit (I believe) that we live in an imperfect world and what would be the explanation for the peversity of the world and constant sin even by the most righteous nonChrisitian (I.e, Jew)? What was the need of the day of atonement without sin and why did even the high priest need atonement? (original sin, of course).
Blessings,
Brian