ST. PAUL (4 AD - 64 AD)

ST. PAUL (4 AD - 64 AD)

Michael H. Hart, 1978

 

"Apostle" Paul, contemporaries but slightly younger than Prophet Isa, is no doubt the most prominent propagator of Christianity. His influence on Christian theology is clearly the most steady, the most far-reaching of all other Christian writers and thinkers. Paul, also known as Saul, was born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia (now Turkey), a few years before the Christian era arrived. Although a Roman citizen, he was born a Jew, studied Hebrew at a young age and received a deep education in Judaism, he also studied trade and camping. As a teenage boy he went to Darussalam to work under the guidance of the priest Gamaliel, a well-known Jewish teacher. Even though Paul and Isa were in Darussalam at the same time, it is highly doubtful that the two of them had ever met face to face.

After Isa's "death", Christians were considered to be dissidents and were therefore utterly suppressed. At first Paul hit him, but on the way to Damascus, his eyes seemed to picture Jesus talking to him and soon Paul converted to Christianity. This was an important turning point in his personal life. If he used to be a Christian cloud and poundman, now he has turned into the most persistent and most influential propagator and advocate for the benefit of Christianity.

Paul spent the rest of his life writing and deepening Christianity. and reached many adherents who flocked to Christianity. During his da'wah activities he traveled to and fro frequently, both to Asia Minor, Greece, Syria and Palestine. Dealing with the Jews Paul was not very successful, in fact more often caused opposition and in many cases his life was often threatened. In his preaching to the Gentiles, Paul was so prominent and so successful that he was often given the nickname "Apostle of the Gentiles." No one can surpass Paul's prowess in spreading Christianity.

After completing three long journeys to spread religion in the eastern part of the Roman Empire, Paul returned to Darussalam. What a prostitute, so that it was secured, and brought to Rome before the court. History is not very clear about how the trial ended, it is not even clear whether he was able to leave Rome since then. Finally, it is estimated that in 64 AD Paul was killed near the city of Rome.

Paul's influence in the development of Christianity can be measured in three ways. First, the great success in spreading religion. Second, his writings make up important parts of the New Testament. Third, its role in the development of Christian theology.

Of the 27 books of the New Testament, no less than 14 are associated with the merits of Paul. Although modern scholars believe that 4 or 5 of the 14 books were written by someone else, there is no doubt that Paul was the most important person to personally write the New Testament.

Paul's influence in the field of Christian theology is simply immeasurable. His ideas included the following: Jesus was not only an impressive prophet but also holy. Jesus died for our sins and his suffering can set us free. Humans cannot escape from sins just by trying to carry out the commandments contained in the Bible, but only by accepting Jesus wholeheartedly. On the other hand, if people accept and believe in Jesus, all their sins will be forgiven. Paul also explained his doctrines regarding sin (see Romans 5:12:19).

Since obedience to the law alone is not enough to guarantee freedom, Paul emphasized that there is no point in embracing Christianity while still insisting on the Jewish restrictions on what one can eat and what not, and it's useless if you still practice the Mosaic rules or still follow the rules. circumcised. How many Christian leaders at that time strongly opposed Paul's opinion in this regard. And if their attitude were to spread widely, it is doubtful that Christianity could develop so quickly throughout the Roman Empire.

Paul never married, although there is no way to prove it, it is clear that Paul never had sexual relations with women. His views on sex and women were already tied to the scriptures, therefore having a great influence on his later attitudes. His famous argument in this regard is contained in (I Corinthians 7:8-9) which reads: "I call upon the unmarried men and the widows it is good for them if they obey my advice and imitate me. But if they cannot endure , let them marry because after all marriage is still better than being burned."

Paul also has a firm stance on the proper status of women: "Let the women learn whatever they want in secret and I don't worry if they teach or for some reason dominate the men, as long as it's secret. silent. Because it was Adam who caused Eve." (I Timothy 2:11-13). A more assertive attitude is also expressed in I Corinthias 11:7-9. Indeed, Paul's words have been the opinion of many of his contemporaries. What should be noted is that Jesus himself never appeared with such statements.

Paul, more than anyone else, was responsible for the conversion of Christianity from a Jewish sect to a major world religion. His central idea of ​​the holiness of Jesus and the recognition of faith alone remained the basis of Christian thought throughout the centuries that followed.

Later all Christian theologians, including Augustine, Aquinas, Luther and Calvin, were all influenced by Paul's writings. So deep is Paul's influence that many scholars think that Paul was the founder of Christianity, and not Jesus. Of course, this assumption is too much. In any case, put Paul's influence on par with Jesus, who is for sure far greater than any other Christian thinker.