Theology: Evangelist Paul vs. Messiah Yeshua! A Critical Evaluation!

Today, I will share some theology with those of you who desire thinking on difficult spiritual issues of reality. My missive will cover the core theology of Paul (called Saul of Tarsus prior to conversion) and the theology of this Messiah/Prophet/Rabbi who many call Yeshua (Jesus for those who speak English). The core theology of Paul is found in his letter to the Galatians (written by Paul around 50 A.D. +-). 

Yeshua died around 33 A.D. so this means Paul's writings evolved some 17 years AFTER the death of Yeshua! Paul's core theology (as derived from Galatians 1 - 6): Basically, Paul, developed a theology after his conversion experience on the road to Damascus. This likely happened around 37 A.D. +-. 

Yeshua, apparently died some time between 28 and 33 A.D. Scholars differ on the exact dates. My view is that 33 A.D. seems mostly accurate for the crucifixion of Yeshua. Anyway, Paul, developed his theology gradually and it was based on the idea that Yeshua died, was resurrected, was glorified, and is living now (in real-time) at the right-hand of the Father (in heaven). 

 Paul developed his theology with the viewpoint that the LAW (of Moses) had been fulfilled and completed with the 'glorification' of Yeshua to the right-hand of the Father (33 A.D.). A New Covenant emerged AFTER this real-time spiritual experience. What is this New Covenant based upon? Paul's view, as expressed in Galatians 1 - 6, is that a believer in Christ (the new role of the 'glorified' Yeshua) can bring total Freedom, Grace, and Love to the believer (free of the LAW). 

Read the scripture to discern this theology. It's a revolutionary theology which Christianity has promoted for some 2,000 years! Being FREE from the LAW gives the believer the inner pride and satisfaction of being capable of loving everyone and simultaneously viewing oneself as a singularity who needs not to 'compare' oneself to another. Right and wrong thinking (the Law) dissolves and compassion and freedom emerges within the believer. 

The LAW becomes obsolete as it was meant to encompass one's self with guilt, sin, and fault. Christ (now glorified) can overcome this spiritual reality and FREE a person of moral sin so one can become wholly righteous in Christ. Free in Christ is the mantra! The Theology of Paul is basic Christianity (according to many believers). The church I attended today, called Casas, gave their sermon on this teaching of Paul from the book of Galatians. The implication is that true believers can achieve this FREEDOM in Christ if they desire this freedom, grace, love. 

Paul's message is realizable for a believer and this is what is possible in real-time for those who allow this message to be core within their worldview. But is this worldview (theology) in agreement with that of Yeshua (his message while living on this planet)? The theology of Yeshua expressed in the Gospels: The mindset of Yeshua is partially revealed in the Gospels (even as none of his actual words were recorded for posterity). Oral testimony (from believer to believer) created our words which we read in the Gospels. 

Those who believed in this anointed person (of God) created the scripture (words) which we all read in the New Testament. Different viewpoints were presented in these four Gospels (Mark, Matthew, Luke, and John). Who wrote these words? We don't know! The manuscripts that we have did not reveal the actual writer of the words. The 'headings' (Mark, Matthew, Luke, and John) were merely APPLIED. All these Gospels were written decades AFTER Yeshua's death. 

Oral testimony, however, eventually led to this New Testament which became authoritative for select believers to follow. Yeshua, however, seemed to hold the worldview that the LAW (of Moses) was relevant and meaningful to follow. He supposedly said: "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law (or the Prophets); I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." 

It appears (if this is valid) that Yeshua viewed the LAW as relevant for believers (this is contrary to the worldview of Paul as expressed in Galatians 1 - 6). Yeshua believed (so it seems) in the Hebrew/Aramaic Torah which were supposedly the writings of Moses (this prophet who heard words DIRECTLY from God, the Father). Yeshua desired to follow this Law and he attempted to 'fulfill' this Law (to the best of his ability). Did he fulfill it TOTALLY? My sense is NO. 

To fulfill the Law totally would mean that NO PHYSICAL DEATH would occur. Yeshua, however, did DIE (physically). This means that he did NOT fulfill the Law (totally/completely). He was a sinner (born under the Law). This seems to be the message which scripture reveals. Yeshua did choose to get baptised (suggesting that he must have viewed himself as less than PERFECT)! 

 The idea of choosing to get baptised means that Yeshua must have viewed his core SELF as flawed (to some degree). He could not have viewed himself as PERFECT (as many Christian theologians proclaim in their doctrines). Getting baptised means that a person sees himself as morally flawed (to some degree). God, the Father, can still declare a person 'righteous', however, as God did for Noah, Abraham, Moses, and many others. God, the Father, did 'glorify' his Messiah, Yeshua, so this must mean that following the example of Yeshua is wise (even if not totally valid for absolute righteousness)! 

None are absolutely righteous (Rev. 5: 1 - 4). That seems valid to me as I witness real-time experience! My Conclusion on the theology of Paul and Yeshua: The worldview of Yeshua was apparently DIFFERENT from the worldview of Paul. Paul did not know Yeshua in real-time (so it appears). He was some 7 - 10 years younger than Yeshua and he lived in Tarsus (some 700 miles from Nazareth). Paul did go to Jerusalem but there is no evidence that he knew this preacher from Nazareth, called Yeshua. 

The worldview of Paul was anti-Yeshua until he had this epiphany on the road to Damascus. Paul, then gradually developed his new theology which we find recorded in the New Testament. His theology is not totally consistent and many interpret his words differently. Today, we have many different interpretations of the words of Paul. Scholars attribute some 7 letters (of thirteen) to Paul. Some say Paul's letters (six) are lacking validity as being from the pen of Paul. 

Others say all the letters are valid accept maybe Hebrews. There is much disagreement (among biblical scholars) on issues of Paul (his theology). Yeshua (his theology), and even the writings of the Old Testament are interpreted differently (we have many Bible translations to read). Each of us must read and then INTERPRET these words subjectively (by one's self). We have no original MANUSCRIPTS of any writings from this book called The Bible. Even if we had 'original' writings (manuscripts) this would not produce ABSOLUTE interpretations (meanings). 

As human beings we all 'interpret' reality UNIQUELY and subjectively. The above is my unique interpretation from my prior reading, research, and study. You will need to do your own study and thinking to discern what you view as valid and meaningful. Scripture is meaningful (to me) even as I ponder its meaning in real-time. Words are subjective and interpretations vary from thinker to thinker. Enjoy the missive! Read some scripture to see if your interpretation differs from mine. I am: Donald B. Swenson (Svensson), http://kingdomecon.wordpress.com.