i agree that all of us have our own perceptions of Paul but the fact is we dont have enough of the specific details to know how all of this transpired and was handled, what ever his temperament, he was a powerful man of the spirit, who had great passion for the work of god, dt
I agree. There are too many instances when he presented his life as being, "chief among sinners."
He couldn't have, IMHO, come across as abrasive and still be effective.
I don't read him that way at all. I don't believe that would have washed for many people. It doesn't do it today and I don't think human mindset has changed that much.
If you are forgiven you can't come across pounding other people. It just doesn't work.
Paul thought of himself as a father-type figure and a servant to the children of God. He instructed us to pray for those with faults and weaknesses with meekness and set forth Christ as our example. But he wasn't a pushover to our enemy.
Good post. I agree. Confident in who he was and what he believed. Passionate with a mission.
The writings we have are abbreviations of the full depth of Paul's personality. In the content of a letter, one makes an effort to be concise. In the content of oration, one makes an effort to be fully understood by trying different allegories, using facial expressions, and answering questions. There is better translation of full meaning when the communicator is in the presence of his intended audience.
Short version: We can't say for sure, 'cause we ain't heard 'im preach!
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Could it be that they way Paul is seen is the way we wish he was and it really represents what we are?
If you want to justify being abrasive then Paul was a tough ole mean, hard nosed preacher....
If you want to justify being super gracious then Paul was a sweet mild mannered, easy speaking preacher.....
It could just be that he was abrasive and gruff when it was called for and sweet and lovingly father like when that was called for.........
Different circumstances and audiences call for different methods of communication. Jesus did not condemn sinners, yet he smacked the "Churched" that where out of line when it was needed even to the point of calling them snakes and taking a whip to some.
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Could it be that they way Paul is seen is the way we wish he was and it really represents what we are?
If you want to justify being abrasive then Paul was a tough ole mean, hard nosed preacher....
If you want to justify being super gracious then Paul was a sweet mild mannered, easy speaking preacher.....
It could just be that he was abrasive and gruff when it was called for and sweet and lovingly father like when that was called for.........
Different circumstances and audiences call for different methods of communication. Jesus did not condemn sinners, yet he smacked the "Churched" that where out of line when it was needed even to the point of calling them snakes and taking a whip to some.
I think you make some good points. I don't think we want him to be viewed any "one" way and give room for both.
I personally view him as I do my relationship with Jesus Christ. As the Lord has never come against me in a harsh manner I can't suspect Paul to be that way.
But, I know that there are some people that benefit from a strong hand and seem to need it at times.
One person told me that God has spoken to him harshly in prayer. He is a pretty harsh person and so I didn't know what to make of it.
i agree that all of us have our own perceptions of Paul but the fact is we dont have enough of the specific details to know how all of this transpired and was handled, what ever his temperament, he was a powerful man of the spirit, who had great passion for the work of god, dt
I think we have some pretty good information on the exchange between Paul and Barnabus over John Mark....
we also know that Paul called for John Mark at the end of his life, so clearly Paul changed.
We also agree that Paul, what ever he was, changed the course of history. More so than any other person that ever lived if you ask me.
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I agree. There are too many instances when he presented his life as being, "chief among sinners."
He couldn't have, IMHO, come across as abrasive and still be effective.
I don't read him that way at all. I don't believe that would have washed for many people. It doesn't do it today and I don't think human mindset has changed that much.
If you are forgiven you can't come across pounding other people. It just doesn't work.
Bishop SC Johnson built the largest Oneness Apostolic Holiness church in existance while he was alive and he was quite abrasive.
__________________ If I do something stupid blame the Lortab!
Could it be that they way Paul is seen is the way we wish he was and it really represents what we are?
If you want to justify being abrasive then Paul was a tough ole mean, hard nosed preacher....
If you want to justify being super gracious then Paul was a sweet mild mannered, easy speaking preacher.....
It could just be that he was abrasive and gruff when it was called for and sweet and lovingly father like when that was called for.........
Different circumstances and audiences call for different methods of communication. Jesus did not condemn sinners, yet he smacked the "Churched" that where out of line when it was needed even to the point of calling them snakes and taking a whip to some.
Excelent point! and really the heart of the matter. I am sure Paul was all of these things.
__________________ If I do something stupid blame the Lortab!
Bishop SC Johnson built the largest Oneness Apostolic Holiness church in existance while he was alive and he was quite abrasive.
I think there is a difference in being anointed and bold and just being rude and impatient. We wouldn't be telling the truth if we didn't say we have experienced both.
I love anointed preaching and ministry when you can feel His Spirit confirming his Word and the words spoken, but when you get the rude cuts just to make a point and it falls flat - it's just not good.
I guess what I am trying to say is we can't paint Paul in a total frame as "abrasive". If we do that it gives and has given men an women the idea that they don't have to handle the sheep in any other way than as a "cowboy" and not a "shepherd".
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