(August 20, 2015 at 11:39 pm)Randy Carson Wrote:(August 20, 2015 at 6:57 pm)Rhondazvous Wrote: In Acts we are told that after his conversion, Paul went to Jerusalem and met with all the disciples and went on an evangelism spree. However, in Galatians, Paul gives a sworn affidavit that none of that ever happened. He says he did not make it to Jerusalem until 3 years later and only met John and a few others but the disciples never saw his face. What difference does it make what his motivations were if his whole story was doctored by writers who couldn't agree about what happened?
This is why it's important to know about Bible contradictions so we can identify the cherry pickers and quasi-arguments.
Damascus > Arabia > Jerusalem
Luke does not mention the three-year sojourn in Arabia; Paul does. But Luke doesn't say that Paul went straight from Damascus to Jerusalem, either.
Don't dodge the question; What did Paul have to gain by giving up a promising career among the Pharisees and joining the fledgling Christians?
Well, let's see. In Acts chapter 9 verse 25 the disciples (whom Paul tells us in Galatians had never seen his face) help him escape Damascus. then in verse 26 it starts in saying, "and when he had come to Jerusalem.." You really have to give yourself a lot of liberty to squeeze a three year journey in Arabia and who knows where else between verses 25 and 26.
But this is just one of many discrepancies in the accounts of Paul's conversion and journeys. They can all be resolved if you apply the same method of adding stuff where needed.
The god who allows children to be raped out of respect for the free will choice of the rapist, but punishes gay men for engaging in mutually consensual sex couldn't possibly be responsible for an intelligently designed universe.
I may defend your right to free speech, but i won't help you pass out flyers.
Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.
--Voltaire
Nietzsche isn't dead. How do I know he lives? He lives in my mind.
I may defend your right to free speech, but i won't help you pass out flyers.
Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.
--Voltaire
Nietzsche isn't dead. How do I know he lives? He lives in my mind.