(October 29, 2015 at 10:43 am)TheRocketSurgeon Wrote:(October 29, 2015 at 9:59 am)Drich Wrote: Context. Paul did not do any of those things. Paul's beliefs/Zeal were supported by the works and miracals he performed in God's name per acts 19. He did these things/'good deeds' in the face of torture and death, the only one you've pictured here that comes close is the monk. but, monks don't set themselves on fire because their belief demands it, it is generally in protest to a cause or social stance. Matter of fact none who have died were beaten tortured and were killed/tested for what they believe. The wacco and jones town people laid down and died rather than be tested as Paul was by soceity.
The monks, indeed, have political motivations as well. If you think Paul's work was not motivated in part by politics, regarding the confluence of the Greek, Roman, and Hebrew worlds of which he was equally a part, you're fooling yourself. And Buddhists are tortured and killed for their refusal to stop pronouncing their faith all the time.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persecutio...ists#Tibet
which points to the truth in what they do and believe. They die for their faith, and by the rules of their faith as do the muslims, again All IN FAITH. Neither makes the claims Paul or any other Christian can make. Paul again is working from a position stronger than simple faith, and so can a Spirit filled Christian.
That is the difference between someone dying for a cause, and dying for Deeply held love. The one who dies for love, has/can endure far more before death, and someone who looks to make a point with their death.
