The Cult of Paul

Paul: an apostle of delightful irony ...
I would offer that there is little that is more entertaining (or more important) than catching
religious zealots in well-laid traps laid to expose their moral contradictions &/or their ethical
hypocrisies (see much of Matthew 12 and almost all of Matthew 23, where Jesus boldly revels in
doing just that). Of course, there is little that is more amusing than watching those same
zealots create their own snares and then fall awkwardly therein – and this, without needing
any outside bait or coaxing. And such is often the case regarding the aggressive rantings
found in the biblical epistles of Paul, the self-proclaimed “apostle of Jesus Christ” … As
examples thereof, consider the obvious (if not also somewhat disturbing) irony encapsulated
within the following passages, passages that reflect far more accurately the character of Paul
himself than they did any of his listeners:
“Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the degrading of
their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie – and
worshiped the creature rather than the Creator.” ~ Romans 1:24-25
“But if you call yourself a Jew … and boast of your relation to God, and claim to know
His will and to be able to determine what is best … And if you are sure that you are a guide
to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, a corrector of the foolish, and a teacher of
children … You then, who teach others, will you not teach yourself?” ~ Romans 2:17-20
“I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause dissensions and
offenses, in opposition to the teaching that you have learned. Avoid them, for such people
do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but rather their own appetites, and by smooth talk and
flattery deceive the hearts of the simple-minded.” ~ Romans 16:17-18
“And what I do I will continue to do, in order to deny those who wish to be recognized as
our equals … For such boasters are false apostles, deceitful workers disguising themselves
as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
As such it is not strange when his minions also disguise themselves as ministers of
righteousness … And yet their end will match their deeds.” ~ 2 Corinthians 11:12-15
“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you and are instead
turning to a different gospel. Not that there is another gospel, of course, and yet there are
some who are confusing you and wishing to pervert the Gospel of Christ.” ~ Galatians 1:6-7
“Am I seeking human approval or God’s approval? Am I merely trying to please people?
If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” ~ Galatians 1:10
“See to it that no one takes you captive through
philosophy or empty deceit – according to human
tradition or the elemental spirits of the Universe,
and not according to Christ.” ~ Colossians 2:8
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