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In this passage in Colossians 1, Paul makes a lot of claims about who and what Jesus is. My question is, how would he know any of this? How does the reader confirm that each word is true and not edited later? Especially regarding things working in some allegedly supernatural realm.
My view is that he wouldn't know these supernatural things. To me, a lot of what Paul is writing sounds like "damage control". Some of it was explicitly that. But some of it was more vague. He was very aware of the negative image people would have had of him at that time, after being a well known persecutor of Christians in the recent past. So it sounds like he is just giving Jesus a lot of praise in order to convince people that he was one of them now.
But Christians today take that *praise* and turn it into dogma, as if it were something to be understood literally.
In this passage in Colossians 1, Paul makes a lot of claims about who and what Jesus is. My question is, how would he know any of this? How does the reader confirm that each word is true and not edited later? Especially regarding things working in some allegedly supernatural realm.
My view is that he wouldn't know these supernatural things. To me, a lot of what Paul is writing sounds like "damage control". Some of it was explicitly that. But some of it was more vague. He was very aware of the negative image people would have had of him at that time, after being a well known persecutor of Christians in the recent past. So it sounds like he is just giving Jesus a lot of praise in order to convince people that he was one of them now.
But Christians today take that *praise* and turn it into dogma, as if it were something to be understood literally.
What do you think?
I have no trouble believing that Paul received it directly from encounters with the Comforter since that is how I came to know the nature of God.
Paul was given great revelation of Christ through the Spirit of God ... believers today are given great revelation of Christ , but should confirm it with the Bible
In this passage in Colossians 1, Paul makes a lot of claims about who and what Jesus is. My question is, how would he know any of this? How does the reader confirm that each word is true and not edited later? Especially regarding things working in some allegedly supernatural realm.
My view is that he wouldn't know these supernatural things. To me, a lot of what Paul is writing sounds like "damage control". Some of it was explicitly that. But some of it was more vague. He was very aware of the negative image people would have had of him at that time, after being a well known persecutor of Christians in the recent past. So it sounds like he is just giving Jesus a lot of praise in order to convince people that he was one of them now.
But Christians today take that *praise* and turn it into dogma, as if it were something to be understood literally.
What do you think?
From what I see, outside of the Twelve, Paul was the only other Apostle, and that self-proclaimed...So, That would make 13 Apostles...And it was clearly Peter whom G-d had chosen to take the gospel message to the Gentiles...It’s right there in Acts at the Jerusalem Council that Peter makes that assertion...Have you ever thought that G-d may have deliberately caused the NT to be written and compiled in such a way that genuinely seeking people would use logic to decipher it and come to the realization that truth is hidden amongst lies?...Likeca needle in a haystack...The one who finds the needle is the one earnestly seeking truth...Considering that Isaiah 56 is G-d stating how Gentiles are to become righteous...
It's all so political. Back then we would have just seen it as politics rather than religion. A lot of it sounds like "buttering up" someone. Picture Paul as a speaker at a ceremony. He is using flattering speech to make himself more accepted by the congregation. He tells them all how they were chosen by God, etc. He's still practicing the damage control regarding his previous political affiliation.
Many of the early Christians might not have even liked Paul. They might have been more associated with Peter or James, etc. But Paul was so aggressive and well-known, they tolerated him.
They might have taken his letters with a grain of salt.
...Have you ever thought that G-d may have deliberately caused the NT to be written and compiled
in such a way that genuinely seeking people would use logic to decipher it
and come to the realization that truth is hidden amongst lies?...
Like a needle in a haystack...The one who finds the needle is the one earnestly seeking truth...
Love it, Richard!
I have known to look and find the truth in scripture...but, I had never considered God
had done this deliberately.
It would sort of fit since Jesus spoke in Parables that were not that easy to decipher.
On topic, Paul said some great things and then not such great things, I must ignore as
speaking to just that one town...they were just letters, for Pete's sake, meant just for them at that time. And I'm sure they needed to hear his words.
I have known to look and find the truth in scripture...but, I had never considered God
had done this deliberately.
It would sort of fit since Jesus spoke in Parables that were not that easy to decipher.
On topic, Paul said some great things and then not such great things, I must ignore as
speaking to just that one town...they were just letters, for Pete's sake, meant just for them at that time. And I'm sure they needed to hear his words.
Every Christian on this forum is a "Cafeteria" Bible reader who only selects and repeats certain verses. You and I are no different or any less "biblical" than those conservative believers.
In this passage in Colossians 1, Paul makes a lot of claims about who and what Jesus is. My question is, how would he know any of this? How does the reader confirm that each word is true and not edited later? Especially regarding things working in some allegedly supernatural realm.
My view is that he wouldn't know these supernatural things. To me, a lot of what Paul is writing sounds like "damage control". Some of it was explicitly that. But some of it was more vague. He was very aware of the negative image people would have had of him at that time, after being a well known persecutor of Christians in the recent past. So it sounds like he is just giving Jesus a lot of praise in order to convince people that he was one of them now.
But Christians today take that *praise* and turn it into dogma, as if it were something to be understood literally.
What do you think?
Some observations...
Paul probably knew quite a bit about Christian philosophy before Jesus knocked him on his rear. He just wasn’t a Jesus follower before then
Paul spent some years with the apostles/disciples before preaching.
Paul actually heard Jesus’ voice. It very possible he may have had direct communication multiple times. Example of the thorn in his flesh. The Lord’s response? ‘My grace is sufficient ‘
In this passage in Colossians 1, Paul makes a lot of claims about who and what Jesus is. My question is, how would he know any of this? How does the reader confirm that each word is true and not edited later? Especially regarding things working in some allegedly supernatural realm.
My view is that he wouldn't know these supernatural things. To me, a lot of what Paul is writing sounds like "damage control". Some of it was explicitly that. But some of it was more vague. He was very aware of the negative image people would have had of him at that time, after being a well known persecutor of Christians in the recent past. So it sounds like he is just giving Jesus a lot of praise in order to convince people that he was one of them now.
But Christians today take that *praise* and turn it into dogma, as if it were something to be understood literally.
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