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CONGRUITIES AND INCONGRUITIES BETWEEN THE BIBLE AND THE QUR'AN |
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Paul, who said that he had been inspired by Jesus, snubbed the Apostles and began to consider himself superior to all. This fact was put in words in the Galatians as follows: « But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. I am crucified with Christ: neverthless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. »(Galatians 1/11-12, 2/20)
Paul had to part with the Nazarenes with whom he could not come to an agreement. He thought he could spread the doctrine that he had conceived better among the pagans. Given the fact that he had been brought up as a theologian trained in the Law as a rabbi and knew Greek well, and that he was from Tarsus, he was a Roman citizen who had received the Roman culture. Pagans had such gods and goddesses like Zeus, Venus and Hermes. To convince these people in the reality of the religion he had in mind he might well represent Jesus as a superman who had performed miracles.
Son of God
He was God's unique Son and Savior. This conception had a decisive effect on pagans and the spread of Christianity had been facilitated. Paul's decision to elevate Jesus to the rank of God found its expression in the Colossians and Philippians as follows: « As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.» (Colossians 2/9, 2/6) « Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 001:014 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: (»Colossians 1/13,14) « Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen. »(Romans 9/5)
Paul used frequently in his letters the epithet 'Son of God', 'Unique Son of God', 'God the Father', 'Lord', instead of Jesus' styling himself as the 'Son of man'. « And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.»(Galatians 4/6) « Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,…»(Ephesians 1/3). The people trained in the Greco-Roman culture had anthropomorphic divinities. The epithet 'Son of God the Father' seemed them congenial.
Resurrection according to St. Paul
The crucifixion of Jesus Christ, despite the fact that He was the Son of God, had been a stumbling block for the Jews, while the other nations thought it sheer foolishness. « But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a Stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness» (Corinthians 1/23) Under the circumstances, a formula had to be found to justify the situation to the general public. The solution that Paul found for this dilemma was the idea of resurrection.
This idea found its expression in the Romans as follows: « And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: »(Romans 1/4). Believers in Jesus Christ were from their sins. « For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:» (1 Corinthians 15/3,4) Prof. Dr. Mircea Eliade says: “Paul's Christology develops around the Resurrection: that event reveals the nature of Christ: he is the Son of God, the Redeemer. The christological drama is reminiscent of a soteriological scenario well known at the time but whose earliest expressions are far older: the Savior comes down from heaven to earth for the good of men and then returns to heaven after accomplishing his mission.” (Ibid. P.351) Jesus Christ's resurrection is one of the basic tenets of the Christians. Easter is the celebration of Christ's resurrection
Supremacy of Love
St. Paul had based Christianity on two main pillars: elevation of Christ to the rank of God and love. He often stressed love in his letters. For, love was the principal topic of heavenly religions.« Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.(Romans 13/8) Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing». (1 Corinthians 13/1-3)
CONFLICT BETWEEN St. PAUL AND THE NAZARENES