The Cult of Paul

Contrast #17: Paul's heated preaching and Jesus' calm teaching...

As mentioned previously, Paul tended to inspire vehement argument and aggressive opposition whenever and wherever he preached. Indeed, he is seen arguing with Hellenists,^{(Acts 9:29.)} debating with Judean Jews,^{(Acts 15:2.)} disagreeing sharply with Barnabas,^{(Acts 15:39.)} haranguing Thessalonians,^{(Acts 17:2.)} quarreling with Athenians,^{(Acts 17:17.)} squabbling with Corinthians,^{(Acts 18:4.)} bickering with Ephesians^{(Acts 19:8-9.)} stirring up dissension between Pharisees and Sadducees,^{(Acts 13:6-9.)} and inspiring stark disagreement amongst Roman Jews.^{(Acts 28:24-25.)} But it was not only the author of Acts who portrayed him in this light, as even in his own letters Paul openly brags about destroying [others'] arguments,^{2 Corinthians 10:4} brazenly curses his religious opponents,^{(1 Corinthians 4:14, Galatians 1:9, 3:1-3.)} and encourages his followers to reject and drive out the wicked from among you...^{1 Corinthians 5:12-13} Jesus Christ, on the other hand, is repeatedly shown in quite a different light - repeatedly calling for peace and harmony amongst friends and enemies alike,^{(Matthew 5:9, 22, 44-48, 18:21-22, 24:12-14, Mark 11:25, Luke 6:27-36, 10:29-37, John 13:15-17, 34-35.)} teaching others his loving Gospel calmly with authority^{Matthew 7:29, Mark 1:27, Luke 4:32} - others who often refused to debate him at all and who were regularly astounded at his teaching.^{Matthew 7:28 12:23, 13:54, 22:33, Mark 1:22, 10:24, 11:18, Luke 2:47, 4:32. See also Luke 19:48, John 7:46}