Exactly where did Paul use this phrase? I looked up 10 different Bible versions...NIV, KJV, NKJV, NAS, etc. While the concept of "disputations" is covered in the NT, I couldn't even find the word in just about all the versions. I finally found "doubtful disputations" in the 21st century KJV in Rom. 14:1 -- but the context there is not judging a weak-in-faith person's "doubtful disputations." (Not "endless")
The NIV uses "disputes" in 1 Cor. 6:4 -- but not in an "endless" context. The closest I could find reference is the NAS 1 Tim. 6:4: 3 If any man teacheth a different doctrine, and consenteth not to sound words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4 he is puffed up, knowing nothing, but doting about questionings and disputes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings... (1 Tim. 6:3-4) [And who teaches different doctrines again?]
But this seems to be typical. Somebody comes along. Pretends they are the "final authority" and "above it all" -- supposedly cites the apostle Paul, who did talk about "fables and endless genealogies" in 1 Tim. 1:4. [Oh, and who practices "endless genealogies" again?]
The irony here? A poster comes as the indisputable Bible quoter to end all Bible quoters disputes. And what's he riled about? (In part, the Bible quoting going on). And yet he can't quote the apostle Paul exactly, thereby provoking yet another dispute! :)
But enough having to deal w/the ticky tack phraseology. Let's get to the heart of your concern. 'Cause 'tis funny you should use the word "disputations." Because Luke talks about a group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to dispute with with the apostle Paul in Acts 17:18.
Since you cited Paul as the "shout-down ender," let's take a mini-review of Paul's practices in Acts 17-19, shall we? (Note the bold-face)
Acts 17: 1When they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2As his custom was, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. "This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ," he said. 4Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and not a few prominent women. (Acts 17:1-4)
[Wow, marshmallow, who would have known that reasoning, explaining, proving, persuading could actually result in conversion?]
Acts 17:16-21: 16While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. 17So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. 18A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to dispute with him. Some of them asked, "What is this babbler trying to say?" Others remarked, "He seems to be advocating foreign gods." They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. 19Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, "May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we want to know what they mean." 21(All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)
Acts 18: Paul went to see them, 3and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. 4Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. 5When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. 6But when the Jews opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am clear of my responsibility. From now on I will go to the Gentiles." ... 19They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined...24Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. 25He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately. 27When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. On arriving, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. 28For he vigorously refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.
(You wouldn't chastise Apollos for vigorously refuting the Jews in public debate (Acts 18:28), would you?
Acts 19: 8Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. 9But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 10This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.
So, Marshmallow...I think if you're going to be consistent, you should wag your finger @ Paul & Apollos the moment you see them in heaven.
Wow, post of the day, month, year and thread!
Good post........
Nice post.
great post.