Posted: 5/31/2026 10:33:28 AM EDT
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A post from Scott Hahn " I was recently asked about my "philosophy of life". I answered with words from St. Paul: "For me to live is Christ and to die is gain." (Philippians 1:21) Why? For over fifty years, I've read, studied and taught St. Paul, and he's shown me how to think and live with the mind and heart of Christ. A few years ago, I stood right where Paul was beheaded; I knelt next to his mortal remains. Paul may well be THE most truly and thoroughly saved sinner and that is what makes me want to be more like him. " https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EATm2pNHw/ Attached File |
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| While we can respect our brother Paul in the LORD JESUS, it is the "same" HOLY SPIRIT in the born again believer that gave him revelation to pen scripture for our understanding and living. He was humbled and became a great usable vessel. Not to be conformed to Paul's image but to be conformed to the image of GOD's beloved son the LORD JESUS like Paul was. |
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Originally Posted By wvfarrier: I dislike Pauls writings (although its argued he only wrote 6 of the 13 books attributed to him) I don't dislike his writings, per se, but I dislike how much people lean on his writings out of context to try and justify their non-Biblical beliefs and lifestyle. Peter was right when he said ignorant and unstable people will distort Paul's sometimes hard to understand writings. It makes me sad. |
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Originally Posted By wvfarrier: I dislike Pauls writings (although its argued he only wrote 6 of the 13 books attributed to him) How does your dislike of Paul's writings shape your view of obedience to his teachings? Do you believe it is unnecessary to follow what he said, or do you have a different understanding of Paul from traditional Christianity? Do you believe the Catholic Church was wrong when it chose to consider Paul's writings to be canon? Not trying to start an argument, just trying to understand where you are coming from. |
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I may have read some apologetics articles by Scott Hahn and have gleaned from them. I remember that, Paul the Lord's Apostle was chosen by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Which of us could measure up to him? I suppose Paul wouldn't have cared at all what opinions we have of him either. He claimed to be the least of the Apostles and unworthy to be called an Apostle because he persecuted the church. 1 Corinthians 15:9-10 ... For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. What Jesus said about Paul: Acts 9:16 ..."For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” I believe St. Paul was compelled by the love of Christ. He was completely surrendered to Jesus! He was a man like us, what a character! Here is a quote: Acts 23:1-3 ESV And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.” And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?” Now, Paul, he has finished his race. |
USMC 85-'93 Amphibious YAT-YAS
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Originally Posted By Bishop3: I remember that, Paul the Lord's Apostle was chosen by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Jesus chose every single one of His apostles. Paul was not special in that regard. Every apostle was hand selected and told to "Follow Me" by Christ. |
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Originally Posted By CJ47: Jesus chose every single one of His apostles. Paul was not special in that regard. Every apostle was hand selected and told to "Follow Me" by Christ. Originally Posted By CJ47: Originally Posted By Bishop3: I remember that, Paul the Lord's Apostle was chosen by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Jesus chose every single one of His apostles. Paul was not special in that regard. Every apostle was hand selected and told to "Follow Me" by Christ. Acts: 9: 13-16 13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: 14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. 15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. All who are Saved are called of God, but do not have the same calling. Paul was called to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles. And to preach what Paul called the "Message of the Cross" which is how to live out the Christian life after Salvation. Edit: Some have a special calling for Ministry in the Body of Christ Eph 4: 6-12 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: |
USMC 77-81 6113
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Originally Posted By 3xpert: Acts: 9: 13-16 13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: 14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. 15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. All who are Saved are called of God, but do not have the same calling. Paul was called to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles. And to preach what Paul called the "Message of the Cross" which is how to live out the Christian life after Salvation. Edit: Some have a special calling for Ministry in the Body of Christ Eph 4: 6-12 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: I agree. I said what I said because the way I read what Bishop was saying was that Paul was chosen as an apostle whereas the others were not. I could have misinterpreted what he meant, though. My point was that Paul being hand picked didn't set him apart from the others. They were all hand picked. |
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Originally Posted By CJ47: I agree. I said what I said because the way I read what Bishop was saying was that Paul was chosen as an apostle whereas the others were not. I could have misinterpreted what he meant, though. My point was that Paul being hand picked didn't set him apart from the others. They were all hand picked. Originally Posted By CJ47: Originally Posted By 3xpert: Acts: 9: 13-16 13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: 14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. 15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. All who are Saved are called of God, but do not have the same calling. Paul was called to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles. And to preach what Paul called the "Message of the Cross" which is how to live out the Christian life after Salvation. Edit: Some have a special calling for Ministry in the Body of Christ Eph 4: 6-12 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: I agree. I said what I said because the way I read what Bishop was saying was that Paul was chosen as an apostle whereas the others were not. I could have misinterpreted what he meant, though. My point was that Paul being hand picked didn't set him apart from the others. They were all hand picked. Paul was taken up in Spirit to the third heaven and much was revealed to him there. |