Posted on 08/01/2019 9:03:46 AM PDT by Salvation
For many years, the image I had of St. Paul was that of a bold evangelist who went from town to town teaching and preaching powerfully about Christ. I envisioned his audience mesmerized as he preached and took on his opponents.
I ultimately altered my view a bit based on scriptural descriptions, some of which we are currently reading in the Office of Readings. I have no doubt that he was a brilliant theologian. Paul was reputed to have been one of the greatest students of one of the greatest rabbis of the time, Gamaliel (Acts 22:3). I also do not question his zeal for Christ, and I can picture that fervor reflected on his face as he preached and taught. However, it would seem that Paul was not in fact recognized as a particularly gifted preacher. Consider the following texts from Scripture:
The key element to glean from this passage is that people regarded Paul as rather humble in person but in contrast quite bold and assertive in his letters. This does not paint the picture of a bold, fearsome preacher.
Here is even clearer evidence that some (though surely not all or even most) thought of Paul’s presence and preaching as weak and of no account. The Greek phrase λόγος ἐξουθενημένος (logos exouthenhmenos), translated here as “speech contemptible,” can also be translated as “words or speech of no account,” or “words or speech to be despised.” Of course, because Paul himself is reporting this, he may well be exaggerating the perception of his preaching out of a kind of humility. However, this is further evidence that Paul may not have been a highly gifted or bold preacher, at least from a worldly perspective.
The identity of the “superapostles” is debated, but there is wide agreement that it does not refer to the twelve apostles chosen by Christ. Rather, Paul is likely alluding to itinerant preachers of the time, most of whom were well known for their oratorical skills. Some of them may have been Judaizers who opposed Paul, but it would seem that they could draw a crowd. Perhaps they are somewhat like the revivalists of today. Paul seems to acknowledge that he is not a great speaker but refuses to concede that he is inferior to anyone in knowledge of the faith.
Paul claims no “clever” oratorical skill; rather, he underscores his lack of eloquence to emphasize that the power is in the cross of Christ.
Luke describes Paul as talking “on and on.” The sermon seems to have put the young Eutychus right to sleep, and results in his falling three flights to his death. Paul runs down and raises him from the dead. (All in a night’s work, I guess!) Paul then goes back upstairs to complete the Mass. It is a humorous and touching anecdote in many ways, but it is also a story that illustrates the somewhat soporific effect of Paul’s preaching.
So, it would seem that Paul did not possess great oratorical. This is somewhat surprising given his astonishing missionary accomplishments, but we must avoid superficiality in understanding the power of God’s Word. The power is in God; the battle is His. We may prefer to listen to skilled speakers, but God can write straight with crooked lines and make a way out of no way. If God could speak through Balaam’s donkey (see Num 22:21), He can speak through us, too.
Avoiding Superficiality – As a priest, I work hard to develop my preaching skills because I think the people of God deserve this. In the end, though, none of us should ignore the fact that God can speak in and through the humblest of people and in the most unlikely circumstances. Paul may not have had the rhetorical skills we think he should have had, but he was blessed with many other gifts. He was a brilliant theologian, had amazing zeal and energy, and was committed enough to walk thousands of miles and endure horrible sufferings so that he could proclaim Christ crucified and risen. Paul was also a natural leader and one of the most fruitful evangelizers the Church has ever known. We tend to prize oratorical skill and force of personality, but there is obviously more to evangelizing effectively than eloquence and charisma.
Our culture—particularly since the advent of television, radio, and the Internet—has come to focus primarily on personal magnetism and the ability to “turn a phrase.” The ability to communicate well is surely a great gift, but there are many others as well. In valuing certain gifts over others, we risk injustice and superficiality. The Church needs all our gifts.
What gifts do you have? God can use them!
Notice also....it is not called the “Mass” or any of the other RC names they use for the Lord’s Supper.
The apostle Paul simple preached JESUS.... no ‘flash’....no smoke and mirrors, only JESUS and Him crucified.
It was then the Holy Spirit that brought the increase.
The WORD. In the Flesh. JESUS.
Then, Now, Forever.
Your line of argument for the literal / carnal of the passage in John 6 paints GOD as double-minded. Have you not rea d that in HIM is no shadow of turning?
Read John 6 and count the number of times that JESUS tell the seekers after signs that they gain eternal life by BELIEVING in Whom God has sent. The ones who turned away from Him took the meaning in only a carnal sense, but they had enough integrity and knowledge of God's commands to know they must not literally eat the blood. CATHOLICISM takes the lifted from conext passage and rushes to eat the blood.
If you are having trouble understanding what JESUS was doing y telling them they cannot find eternal life unless they eat the blood, read along to the scene in chapter ten of John's Gospel, where Jesus emphatically ... uses metaphorical language. Do you think Jesus was telling them He is a brush or wooden gate?
Amen
Yes. Confessional Lutherans believe in the real presence of Christ Body and Blood in His Supper. However __ the bread and wine remain bread and wine they are not magically transformed. We do not worship the elements nor do we believe in a continual or repeated sacrifice present in the Supper. We also do not believe that the pastor pulls Christ down from heaven and places Him on the altar. We take Christ at His Word and simply leave it at that.
Some Protestants recognize the Real Presence if Christ in His supper but not as Rome distorts it.
Is it possible to have a discussion about this interesting article without separating into factions and name-calling?
If you want an echo chamber where everyone agrees with you make it a caucus thread
That's exactly what Luther preached and one reason he was excommunicated.
Yes. I know. He was right
Was he right when he said:
Be a sinner, and let your sins be strong [or sin boldly], but let your trust in Christ be stronger, and rejoice in Christ who is the victor over sin, death, and the world.
context my friend. But good way to change the subject
It was full context. Just like the Bible was full context before Luther tossed out books he didn’t like.
yawn.... Got anything new?
God ordains us each to our own anointing as it is written in scripture. For legal purposes only I was ordained by a church that was NOT the Roman Catholic one. More evangelistic by nature that is the role I typically function under
Your snide remarks betray your inner beliefs that you are superior by virtue of being a “member” of the RCC. One of my closest friends used to be a “member” and he is an invaluable resource to share with me the inner workings and legacy thereof. Because of many factors such as his birth date etc. he was Baptized as a Prince in the Church. Suffice to say he is not a devout follower of the doctrines they prescribe, in fact our conversations are quite interesting and he is sharing with me versus what you may perceive as me beguiling him. I worship God as his Son instructed, not a religion but in faith. I find No justification in the entire Bible which I have read over many times and in the original languages they were written in stating that the RCC is the Only and ordained Church. Jesus instructs us this way “ i ma the way, the Truth and the Life, no man comes unto the father except by me. I see nothing that the RCC has the sole franchise granted to itself to be the only church ordained by God himself to be his representatives and be given authority to grant forgiveness or anything else. That is between me and God, and you are not in the mix.
As I am instructed now in scripture to walk away and kick the dust from my feet and roll on. No matter how much your push your beliefs as the only ones that are viable I say unto you God Bless and we part company. Each of Us must choose for ourselves, and I pray that you do so
Choose wisely
No. I'll leave that to you protestants, including Jorge Bergoglio. There's no telling what y'all will come up with next.
For legal purposes? Are you claiming tax exemption for personal gains?
Nope..I am not a 501c3 slave, I serve at Gods direction and do so for no monetary gain unlike the RCC
Is that all ya got...
Lets go back to the source, The Bible
Show all who are following this thread Just where the RCC was granted to only “ordained” church status and damn the rest by God Himself
Waiting...
I am guessing you will prop up Peter as the foundation, lets get real on this one
And remember you must do so in scripture not stuff the RCC made up
Bergoglio is yours. Elected as your leader through the rules of your church. You own him. Have a nice night.
You still haven’t explained your reason for being ordained in some “religion” for legal reasons.
Why is that?
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