The Cult of Paul

Contrast #09: Paul's cowardice and Jesus' courage...

More than a few Christians take offense when Paul's cowardice is mentioned by "non-believers", claiming that no martyr can ever be properly labeled as such. Aside from the fact that Paul was not a true martyr - in that a true martyr^{(like Stephen, for example, whose brutal murder Paul witnessed and of which Paul himself approved - see Acts 7:58-8:3)} is given the choice to recant and yet chooses to remain steadfast and die anyway,^{(whereas Paul was simply imprisoned against his will and executed by Nero thereafter)} there is a large amount of biblical evidence showing Paul as having a cowardly character. Yes, Paul was a blowhard who openly claimed to be ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem,^{Acts 21:12-13} and yet real courage is not shown by what one says, but rather by what transpires thereafter - by what one does. And what happens to Paul after he makes his proud claim? We see him rescued from martyrdom by the Gentiles in Acts 21-23, we see him protected from the Jews by Felix in Acts 23-24, and we see Paul appealing to the mercy of the Roman Emperor and the regulations of Roman law in Acts 25:9-12 - and this, despite Paul himself telling his followers in Corinth to never ever go to law before the unrighteous.^{1 Corinthians 6:1-11 - see also Contrast #7 and #8} Jesus, on the other hand, not only had the courage to consistently preach and personally embody an extremely uncomfortable Gospel that directly challenged the current religious authorities,^{(Matthew 5, 21:12-13, Mark 2:1-12, 23-27, 11:27-33, 12:35-37, Luke 5:29-32, 20:1-8.)} but he also had the courage to confront his accusers with bold silence,^{(Matthew 26:62, 27:12-14, Mark 15:3-5, Luke 23:9, John 19:9.)} the courage to arrange his own crucifixion,^{(as his final and ultimate sermon on selflessness - see Footnote 5)} and then the courage to face down his persecutors with amazing grace, saying, Father, forgive them; they know not what they do.^{Luke 23:34}