Jesus's Words

Not Paul, But Jesus

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There's a lot to say about Jeremy Bentham, and a lot to say about this work, Not Paul, But Jesus. However, almost all of it is self-explanatory. It makes sense for a website telling people to ignore the self-proclaimed apostle Paul and listen to Jesus only to archive such a book. Likewise, there is a lot of knowledge that can be gained from this book, but what exactly a reader will learn can be found in the Table of Contents or the Plan of the Work.

Contents

That means that there isn't a lot of information for us to say. We could speculate on the accuracy of some of Bentham's claims, such as chapter 13, which details each of Paul's supposed claims. However, it doesn't really matter whether Paul performed these miracles or not. Jesus gave warnings, saying, For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.Matthew 24:24 The mere fact that people desire earnestly for the self-proclaimed apostle Paul to had done signs and wonders is enough to make us wary of Paul.

Nevertheless, Jeremy Bentham wrote it, and it is our duty to archive his writings, not to update them.


Jeremy Bentham's writing is not concise. It is "old-timey" and winding, with many pauses, side-thoughts, and other distractions. It is not the easiest read for a native English speaker, and we're sure many people who don't speak English well will struggle with it. Nevertheless, for those moments that Bentham is able to write in a style of English two centuries past his own, his eloquence and style is superb. For instance, when paraphrasing the early portions of Paul's epistle to Galatians, Bentham writes,
"On them I am perfectly independent: to them I am even superior.(See Galatians 1:15-16. Paul believes he is so special because God called him out specifically. See also Galatians 2:6.) With Jesus they had no communication but in a natural way; with the same Jesus I have had communication in a supernatural way:—in the way of 'revelation.'(See Galatians 1:12.) My communication with him is, moreover, of a date posterior to theirs—to any that they can pretend to: in so far as there is any contrariety between that I teach and what they teach, it is for theirs, on both these accounts—it is for theirs, to yield to mine. From God is my doctrine:(See Galatians 1:11-12.) in opposition to it, if either they, or any other men presume to preserve, let the curse of God be on their heads.(See Galatians 1:8.) Accordingly, at the time of my first visit to Jerusalem after my conversion,(See Galatians 1:17.) no communication had I with them, for, no such communication, teaching as I did from revelation, could I stand in need of, I had already passed three years at least in Arabia, teaching to the Gentiles there my peculiar doctrine.(See Galatians 1:17-18.)This peculiar doctrine, as I made no scruple of teaching it to those Gentiles,(See Galatians 2:2a.) as little, on the occasion of that visit of mine to Jerusalem, did I make any scruple of teaching it to Jews as well as Gentiles. True it is, I did not then teach it publicly:—I did not teach my peculiar doctrine, so publicly as they did theirs.(See Galatians 2:2b.) But, as to this comparative secrecy, it had for its cause the advantage of being free from opposition; for, had the fact of my teaching this doctrine so different from theirs—been known to them,—they might have opposed it, and thus my labours might have been lost."(See Galatians 2:2c.)

These nuggets of eloquence are brilliant, and stand up well even two centuries later.

However, much of the reading is still dry and even difficult in portions. Not dry, however, are his are his arguments. Despite being made nearly two centuries ago, Bentham's arguments against the self-proclaimed apostle Paul are still fresh bleeding wounds that the churches have never bothered stitching up. There is no comprehensive counter argument to Bentham's work. All that exist are minor counter arguments against some of Bentham's more radical claims, such as the claim that Acts was not written by Luke. But for the claims that Ananias probably didn't exist, that Acts and Paul's Epistles contradict themselves, or regarding Paul's missing three years in Arabia are still unaccounted for. Instead, the churches have sweep, metaphorically, Bentham's work under the rug.

Jesus said, Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.Matthew 7:21-23 Those that listen to Paul instead of Jesus are not doing the will of God, even if they use Jesus's name just as often as Paul did.

But, hiding the arguments against the self-proclaimed apostle Paul would be the same as tearing down the billboards warning of a cliff up ahead on the road. Even though it is done, we must nevertheless point towards it and warn of it. That means we must go out and say that the wide gate is destruction. Jesus said, Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.Matthew 7:13-14

Jesus also said, But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.Matthew 19:30 In the past, when people warned of the wide gate, they were murdered as heretics. It is only in these days that we can safely, but for a time, point to the correct path... even if we are but one sign echoing a book from 1823.

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