NEWS What Paul Meant
I just finished reading Garry Wills' book "What Paul Meant." I was looking forward to reading this book and I must say I enjoyed it immensely. The basic thesis of the book - that Paul is a light for Christ and not, as many scholars have argued in the past, a dark force - is right on the money in my humble opinion.
Wills' really shines in the Afterword of his book. He saves the best for last. In the Afterword, he writes (I've added bold italics for emphasis):
"Religion took over the legacy of Paul as it did that of Jesus - because they both opposed it. They said that the worship of God is a matter of interior love, not based on external observances, on temples or churches, on hierarchies or priesthoods. Both were at odds with those who impose the burdens of "religion" and punish those who try to escape them. They were radical egalitarians, though in ways that delved below and soared above conventional politics. They were on the side of the poor, and saw through the rich. They saw only two basic moral duties, love of God of love of the neighbor. Both were liberators, not imprisoners - so they were imprisoned. So they were killed. Paul meant what Jesus meant, that love is the only law."
I have not come across many people, including people that call themselves Christians, that understand the truth Wills illuminates in his book. Jesus and Paul both opposed religion. Paul's heart illuminated the heart of Christ - a heart that knows that love is the only law.
It boggles my mind why so many people on this planet have difficulty seeing the truth and understanding the centrality of love and God's heart in the universe. Apparently, they either do not want to see the truth or they are not interested in the truth.
Love is what Paul meant. Wills hits the nail right on the head in his book.
May love reign supreme in your heart always and forever.
Agape,
Steve
Wills' really shines in the Afterword of his book. He saves the best for last. In the Afterword, he writes (I've added bold italics for emphasis):
"Religion took over the legacy of Paul as it did that of Jesus - because they both opposed it. They said that the worship of God is a matter of interior love, not based on external observances, on temples or churches, on hierarchies or priesthoods. Both were at odds with those who impose the burdens of "religion" and punish those who try to escape them. They were radical egalitarians, though in ways that delved below and soared above conventional politics. They were on the side of the poor, and saw through the rich. They saw only two basic moral duties, love of God of love of the neighbor. Both were liberators, not imprisoners - so they were imprisoned. So they were killed. Paul meant what Jesus meant, that love is the only law."
I have not come across many people, including people that call themselves Christians, that understand the truth Wills illuminates in his book. Jesus and Paul both opposed religion. Paul's heart illuminated the heart of Christ - a heart that knows that love is the only law.
It boggles my mind why so many people on this planet have difficulty seeing the truth and understanding the centrality of love and God's heart in the universe. Apparently, they either do not want to see the truth or they are not interested in the truth.
Love is what Paul meant. Wills hits the nail right on the head in his book.
May love reign supreme in your heart always and forever.
Agape,
Steve
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home