Unfortunately or perhaps I shall say fortunately
I was only able to view a short segment, a small part
of ABC's Jesus and Paul: the Word and the Witness
But what I heard caused me to be faint in heart.
I felt that the people in the know--the Bible scholars,
Best-selling authors, professors--academia's elites,
And even Jewish, Catholic, and Protestant ministers
Presented their own philosophies and vain deceits.
If they had known the WORD aided by the Holy Spirit
They wouldn't have presented on national television
A cacophony of diverse human philosophies and opinions
But the Bible whose author was not the author of confusion.
Was Jesus and Paul antithetical in their teachings?
Was Paul harsh while Jesus lenient and accommodating?
Did Paul interpret LOVE differently than Jesus did?
Are these questions left only for speculating?
Would Christianity today have developed without Paul?
Was Paul's vision of Christianity different from Jesus'?
Did he change the Gospel of salvation that he proclaimed
To the people in Rome, Corinth, Galatia and Ephesus?
Was Paul anti-homosexuals and a male chauvinist?
Did he and the disciples have unresolved differences?
On religious matters, should people see what they want to see
For it's all a matter of individual opinions and preferences?
These questions can be answered from the Bible alone:
On the road to Damascus Paul received His credential
From none other than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself who
Directed Paul to His Church to learn what was essential.
Through the Holy Spirit Jesus communicated with His Church
It was there that Paul learned the message of salvation;
He also received visions and instructions direct from Jesus.
To the Gentiles he was to carry out the Gospel commission.
Did Paul distort the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Here's the answer:
"But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other
gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you,
let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again,
If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that
ye have received, let him be accursed." Galatians 1:8-9.
Would Christianity today have developed without Paul?
It certainly would because this was not the work of Paul.
This was/is the work of God and He uses those who are
Willing to be used of Him for the salvation of souls.
At the Jerusalem Council recorded in Acts Chapter 11
Prejudice and Jewish exclusiveness were broken down
Which opened the way for the Gospel to go to the Gentiles
This clearly shows that the work was God's own.
Did Paul's teaching in any way foster anti-semitism?
I hardly think so for he was inspired from above
To write that all are one in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Humanity's web was woven with golden threads of love.
Was Paul a male chauvinist? To answer that question
Let's ask: Can Jesus be given a male chauvinistic title?
Both you and I know Jesus was not a male chauvinist
And, dear friends, neither was Paul the Apostle.
One scholar said that Paul was anti-homosexuals; Jesus wasn't.
Yes, Jesus would receive a homosexual but He'd tell him
Exactly what He told Mary Magdalene: Neither do I condemn
Thee, go and sin no more. Homosexuality is a grievous sin.
The people of Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed
Because of their lawlessness--their homosexual sin
Was an abomination to the God of Heaven who instituted
Marriage between a man and a woman in the Garden of Eden.
Was Paul teaching differently than the other disciples?
Nay! The Holy Spirit was their Guide and Tudor
They were reading from the same sheet of Gospel music.
Everything they did was done decently and in order.
Both Jesus and Paul had iron wills and radical visions
But they never opposed each other in any way whatsoever;
Paul was a clean vessel who was used by the Lord
To upbuild His Kingdom that will last forever and ever.
Paul taught and stressed faith, hope, and charity
This teaching came from Jesus Christ to all His disciples
For they were one in mind, in heart, and in spirit.
The ABC TV Special brought only confusion to the people.
The Bible and the Bible only should be our Guide and Stay;
It tells us that "There is one Body, and one Spirit,
One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of all,
Who is above all, and through all, and in you all." Eph 4:4-6.
Copyrighted © Lydia Haga 2004
Here's the lyrics to the midi you are hearing (if your speakers
are turned on). The author was Dale Evans Rogers.
Have faith, hope and charity,
That's the way to live successfully.
How do I know, the Bible tells me so.
Do good to your enemies,
And the Blessed Lord you'll surely please,
How do I know, the Bible tells me so.
Don't worry 'bout tomorrow,
Just be real good today.
The Lord is right beside you,
He'll guide you all the way
Have faith, hope and charity,
That's the way to live successfully.
How do I know, the Bible tells me so!
Repeat two times
The Bible Tells Me So Midi