Week 13 #2
670 words by Johnpaul
PAUL’S VIEW AND ITS DOMINTAION
Affectioinately called the Apostle of the Gentiles” It is no surprise that his views came to dominated the early Christian theology as well as the doctrine. His life was as exemplary as it was purposeful. He embodies a true triumph over adversity and more so, a true example of one who made a copmplete turn around from evil to do good. Paul of Tarsus, he was central to the spread and development of Christianity and the subsequent spread westwards to Judea. His further intepretation and teachings of the gospel took his mininstry westa wrds all the way into Judea , where he was recognised as well as refused accordingly. He intepreted Jesus teaching ( which later earned him some criticism) as well. His conversion perhaps was one of th main factors that makes him stand apart from all the others, for it is of more joy in heaven that one lost sheep is returned to its shepherd. In accordanc e to this, Paul’s conversion was a remarkable one. Converted on his way to Damascus on his way to persecute Christians, the Lord spoke out to him and rebuked him, he turned around , from evil to good. He was then made a true christian. Another reason why i think his views dominated early and contemporary Christianity is his ability to relate his views regarding Jewish Christians, Gentiles and the Mosaic law.
Another reason yet , lies on his effort to advance the gospel , especially among the gentiles and even futher away in Italy , Rome. He arrived in Italy at about 64 CE where he was heavily escorted to the courts of the Cesar. He started his teachings immediately andmade converts soon afterwards. However , he was eventually killed short afterwards under the rule of Emperor Nero. Another legend, however, backed b y the teachings of the apostle himself strongly suggests that he lived longer, up until 67 CE in which he was behaded. Hi epstles, church and pastoral is perhaps another profound way through which his views dominated the early Christian faith. His epstle to the Romans contains the early teachings of Jesus about salvation for all, the jews and then the Gentiles. Most contemporary Christian sects incorporate this teaching of Paul of Tarsus in their dodtrine.
Contrary to all the praise and honor he commands, Paul of Tarsus also has had some critics. Some of which include those that support the idea thet his teachings and views are discordiant fromJesus’ teachings and some even go to the extent of identifying him as the anti Christ. Reknowned American founder, Thomas Jefferson and the philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche chastized his image accordingly, saying that he was the ” corrupter of the teachings of Jesus Christ”
Regardless of these undignified and perhaps unverified accusations, i strongly beleive, according to my personal opinion that Paul of Tarsus played a very important role in early and contemporary Christian faith. There are sevral reasons that attest to this fact. Foremost, the epistles still maintain a very strong relevance in the doctrine of contemporary cChristians . It has been incorporated in the very fabric of our Christian faith extensively and we meditate in it ceaselessly. His influence persists… a number of our comrades in the Christian setting was named after him, and his name is recognised as a very respectful name among Christian sect. His pastoral epistles as well also had their effect. The epistles were the first epistl e to Timothy, the second epistle to Timothy and the epistle to Titus. IN the first spistle to timothy, Paul narrated to him the forms of worship and the organisation of the church whereas in the second epistle to Timothy, he asked him to come to him with Mark for his end was near. The other espistle was to Titus. All three epistles are very relevant to the Christian faith for it held the essntial ingredients upon which the contemporary doctrine grew. His teachings, as well as Peter’s “rock” was the foundation upon which Chritianity grew, hence it has an enormous relevance.