If Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians was Published in Christianity Today
Posted on 20 February 2009
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Dear Christianity Today:
In response to Paul D. Apostle’s article about the Galatian church in your January issue, I have to say how appalled I am by the unchristian tone of this hit piece. Why the negativity? Has he been to the Galatian church recently? I happen to know some of the people at that church, and they are the most loving, caring people I’ve ever met.
Phyllis Snodgrass; Ann Arbor, MI
————————————————————————
Dear Editor:
How arrogant of Mr. Apostle to think he has the right to judge these people and label them accursed. Isn’t that God’s job? Regardless of this circumcision issue, these Galatians believe in Jesus just as much as he does, and it is very Pharisaical to condemn them just because they differ on such a secondary issue. Personally, I don’t want a sharp instrument anywhere near my zipper, but that doesn’t give me the right to judge how someone else follows Christ. Can’t we just focus on our common commitment to Christ and furthering His kingdom, instead of tearing down fellow believers over petty doctrinal matters?
Ed Bilgeway; Tonganoxie, KS
————————————————————————–
Dear CT:
I’ve seen other dubious articles by Paul Apostle in the past, and frankly I’m surprised you felt that his recurrent criticisms of the Church deserved to be printed in your magazine. Mr. Apostle for many years now has had a penchant for thinking he has a right to “mark” certain Christian teachers who don’t agree with his biblical position. Certainly I commend him for desiring to stay faithful to God’s word, but I think he errs in being so dogmatic about his views to the point where he feels free to openly attack his brethren. His attitude makes it difficult to fully unify the Church, and gives credence to the opposition’s view that Christians are judgmental, arrogant people who never show God’s love.
Ken Groener; San Diego, CA
—————————————————————————-
To the Editors:
Paul Apostle says that he hopes the Galatian teachers will cut off their own privates? What kind of Christian attitude is that? Shame on him!
Martha Bobbitt; Boulder, CO
—————————————————————————-
Dear Christianity Today:
The fact that Paul Apostle brags about his public run-in with Peter Cephas, a well-respected leader and brother in Christ, exposes Mr. Apostle for the divisive figure that he has become in the Church today. His diatribe against the Galatian church is just more of the same misguided focus on an antiquated reliance on doctrine instead of love and tolerance. Just look how his hypercritical attitude has cast aspersions on homosexual believers and women elders! The real problem within the Church today is not the lack of doctrinal devotion, as Apostle seems to believe, but in our inability to be transformed by our individual journeys in the Spirit. Evidently, Apostle has failed to detach himself from his legalistic background as a Pharisee, and is unable to let go and experience the genuine love for Christ that is coming from the Galatians who strive to worship God in their own special way.
William Zenby; Richmond, VA
——————————————————————————
Kind Editors:
I happen to be a member of First Christian Church of Galatia, and I take issue with Mr. Apostle’s article. How can he criticize a ministry that has been so blessed by God? Our church has baptized many new members and has made huge in-roads in the Jewish community with our pragmatic view on circumcision. Such a “seeker-sensitive” approach has given the Jews the respect they deserve for being God’s chosen people for thousands of years. In addition, every Gentile in our midst has felt honored to engage in the many edifying rituals of the Hebrew heritage, including circumcision, without losing their passion for Jesus. My advice to Mr. Apostle is to stick to spreading the gospel message of Christ’s unconditional love, and quit criticizing what God is clearly blessing in other churches.
Miriam “Betty” Ben-Hur; Galatia, Turkey
——————————————————————————-
EDITOR’S NOTE: Christianity Today apologizes for our rash decision in publishing Paul Apostle’s exposé of the Galatian church. Had we known the extent in which our readership and advertisers would withdraw their financial support, we never would have printed such unpopular biblical truth. We regret any damage we may have caused in propagating the doctrines of Christ.
Tags | Apostle Paul, Christianity Today, Epistle, Galatians
February 20th, 2009 at 8:43 am
Bwahaaahhaaahaaaa!!!!!
I meet with an ecumenical group of guys Friday mornings and we were discussing Paul’s letter to the Galatians THIS MORNING! And some among us tried to downgrade (calling Spurgeon!!!) the “the gospel” Paul warned about to a mere preference for this practice or that - such as pulling weeds or not from the lawn in front of the church.
What rubbish! If ye pull clover, ye must pull ALL the weeds, lest ye be judged as one who does not complete the weeding.
‘Tis no secret why so many apostate groups that call themselves churches have a disdain for Paul.
February 20th, 2009 at 5:48 pm
This is pure gold. Terrifying pure gold.
February 21st, 2009 at 4:19 am
Well, perhaps the people of the Galatian Church were just trying out their Purpose Driven Temple teachings. They felt that the Apostate…er…I mean…Apostle Warren’s program was better than Christ’s doctrines and certainly was not as harsh. I mean, God doesn’t REALLY send people to Hell. He is sooooo loving and kind and is open enough to over look those little things we do.
February 22nd, 2009 at 10:29 am
Dear Christianity Today:
At first I thought that this Paul guy was somewhat harsh. But I have read some of his other writings in which he publicly suggested he was the worst of sinners among us. He seemed very genuine. He also desired all of us to be clothed with humility, which is a profound statement. Among his other phrases are “forbearance”, “esteeming each other greater than ourselves”, “overcome evil with good”, “Let this mind that was in Christ Jesus be in you”, and many other quite biting phrases that should challenge us in our own expressions of the faith.
I read his letters to the church at Corinth and was impressed with the grace and patience he showed to a church that was absolutely filled with error. With law suits, divorce, division, misuse of communion, legalism, fornication, and a serious misuse of the Holy Spirit’s gifts he only recommended that one individual be removed from fellowship. I thought that was quite gracious even thought most of his letter was corrective.
I went back and read his short treatise on love, and this same apostle teaches that without love we are nothing. I take that to mean if we have power and authority and even the correct doctrine, God is not impressed. So I see his point, while some have much love they sometimes compromise the truth, while others hold the doctrinal truths but without much humble love.
Thank you for the letter to the church at Galatia, it made me go back and read the entirety of this apostle’s writings. I have again done some house cleaning of my own to remove any condemnation, caustic rhetoric, smugness, and self righteousness concerning my own walk of faith. And I have found new depth in one of the statements in that same letter to Galatia:
“For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.”
Thanks again, you’ve been very helpful,
signed,
A tremendous sinner saved by a more tremendous grace
February 22nd, 2009 at 6:19 pm
Rick Frueh:
Thanks for providing a balanced overview of Paul’s godly interaction among the NT churches. The focus of the satire, however, was not on what Paul wrote throughout his ministry, but on the dismissive reaction he received for his specific position on the Galatian error.
February 22nd, 2009 at 8:10 pm
A brother had an interview with Mr. Apostle a few weeks ago…
http://socialhazard.wordpress.com/2008/12/18/gods-wonderful-plan-for-your-life/
February 24th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
2Ti 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
2Ti 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
This time has come….
February 25th, 2009 at 1:59 am
This is priceless! What a wonderful (and yes — terrifying) piece. It is reminiscent of so many comments against persons or ministries who are warning the sheep and faithfully and rightly dividing the Word of truth. The gall of purported Christians to presume that the Word of God is somehow less loving or just than their own tolerant, seeker sensitive agenda. It takes tremendous love to proclaim truth.
February 26th, 2009 at 6:18 am
Oh yes…such a solid dose of truth. I think it is needed in these times.
February 26th, 2009 at 10:49 pm
Ouch, this one hurts so good…Kinda like a brain freeze from eatin’ too much ice cream.
February 27th, 2009 at 1:21 am
MAN! That was hilarious. And sad. Its so true, when we hold to Biblical Truth, we are condemned as being judgemental.
February 28th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
So, circumcision is “seeker-sensitive” and Paul was being inflammatory. really? Were these people reading the same magazine article I was? Sure, Paul’s a hardliner, and comments would not be positive in the Christianity Today scenario, but I doubt most would go in this direction. If anything, he is going too far in accommodatingly gentiles (not only must I accept their way of doing things as valid, but I, a Jew, must not separate myself from them? Unacceptable!).
March 3rd, 2009 at 8:44 am
One of the sites where you will see EXACTLY this kind of thing is at christianresearchnetwork.info where there is no heresy too vile, no false teaching too seductive that they won’t defend it in the name of LOVE. Other blogs and websites that promote biblical truth are routinely labeled hateful and judgmental, while they, the CRN.info experts promote themselves as the “loving” alternative. It’s hysterically funny and yet extremely sad actually to see this kind of hypocrisy in action. They’d run Christ and the Apostles out of town as being too unloving if they were here today.
March 3rd, 2009 at 10:43 am
The Apostle Peter has written about our beloved Paul’s epistles, including the rest of the Scriptures:
2Pe 3:14-18 Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
March 4th, 2009 at 11:38 pm
“If we could be saved By keeping the law than there was no need for Christ to die.” What about Church made law and all my good works? And help people when they FAIL! “Gently and humbly”!(This A. Paul must be one of those Post emergents)
March 5th, 2009 at 9:51 am
Best bit is the attributing of the letter re emasculation to a Martha Bobbit - very cleaver.
March 5th, 2009 at 10:21 am
This is a hilarious concept, but my friend Brant’s blog got there first:
http://branthansen.typepad.com/letters_from_kamp_krusty/if_jesus_had_a_blog/
Not that it’s a competition or anything. But if it is, BOO YA. YOU GOT SERVED.
March 5th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
Martha “Bobbitt” …… Bawhahahahaha
March 5th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
Sorry, Doug, there is no such thing as an original concept in satire these days. I’m sure somebody did something similar before this article on Galatians was first published on the Internet back in March 2005. But judging from the “BOO YA. YOU GOT SERVED” remark, that was probably before you were born.
March 5th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Too much truth here for it to be only funny - great job. “Martha Bobbitt” - love it!
March 5th, 2009 at 10:35 pm
I love how all the letters judge Paul for being judgmental.
March 6th, 2009 at 9:11 am
That wasn’t just good, that was finger lickin’ good. Imagine saying to someone today: “I was reading something by this Christian writer the other day. He was so judgmental! I hope he never preaches at our church!” Gasp.
March 6th, 2009 at 9:59 am
Does ANYONE see the distinction between the APOSTLE Paul (if there are still some “apostles” around today who speak with divine authority and are penning inerrant Scriptures, then please let me know) and modern Christian pastors/writers?????
You and I cannot–and should not–judge in the same manner and with the same authority as the APOSTLE Paul did. I’m not advocating an “anything goes” policy here–just a little graciousness, mercy, and humility to be infused into the self-righteous, presumptuous, condemnatory attitude that seems to be pervasive throughout this post (and throughout the realm of Christendom that provides refuge for those who “have all the right answers” and who claim to be the sole possessors of “sound doctrine”).
*For all you Rick Warren bashers: I pray that Christ does not say to you at the final judgment, “Depart from Me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave Me no food, I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome Me, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.”–Matt. 25:41-43
If ANY of you has done even a FRACTION of what Warren has for “the least of these” and, consequently, for the kingdom of God, then please do inform me of your righteous deeds that should accompany your “sound doctrine”. Unlike most of us, Warren actually has some FRUIT to prove his devotion to/relationship with Jesus.
I can’t believe I’m actually wasting my time with this post…….I wonder how many starved to death and went to hell during the time I took to write this……this convicts me to the core–and I hope it does you, as well.
4 “Show me, O LORD, my life’s end
and the number of my days;
let me know how fleeting is my life.
5 You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Each man’s life is but a breath.”
Selah
Ps. 39:4-5
Don’t waste the one “breath” of your fleeting life on satirizing followers of Christ with whom you disagree. Rather, “let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”–Heb 10:24
Grace/Peace
March 6th, 2009 at 10:47 am
The “Letters to the Editor” regarding the Apostle Paul are remarkably true; making them both funny and yet, should cause us all to weep! Anyone who has written comments on other blogs would know in a heartbeat that these type comments are EXACTLY what is being said in today’s churches. Many who profess to be solid Christians have thrown out all Scripturally doctrines that are the very foundations of our faith.
March 6th, 2009 at 11:09 am
J.Bru.May:
I’m going to say this one more time. The focus of this satire is NOT on Paul’s biblical (and apostolic) criticism. It is on the common modern-day reaction he received from those who display a complete acceptance of even the most unbiblical of positions for the sake of showing unconditional love. Such unbalanced tolerance is rejected by Scripture and deserves to be pointed out, whether directly or satirically. I ask you: if you think it is unbiblical (and a waste of time) to reprove Christians behaving in error, then what are you doing here criticizing the Christians on this site? Pot, kettle. Amazing how you don’t see your own hypocrisy.
March 6th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
That’s awesome!
March 6th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
J.Bru.May:
Regarding Angus’ comments to you - may I say - in the words of Doug Hannah “BOO YA. YOU GOT SERVED”
March 6th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
Oh, great, RMatey. Somebody’s gonna make that the Sacred Sandwich’s new slogan.
March 6th, 2009 at 10:20 pm
Ok, ok…..I assumed I get this sort of response regarding my own hypocrisy, etc., and probably rightly so. I knew I was veering into hypocritical territory toward the end of my comment (hence, the “I can’t believe I’m wasting my time with this post” line written by yours truly), so your point is valid. My apologies for the harsh/sarcastic nature of some of my comments. But hey, you guys should be used to harsh sarcasm on this site, right? I mean, that’s what keeps this place in business, isn’t it?
I’m honestly trying to discover and stamp out any hypocrisy that’s festering within me, because I’ve been “that guy” who blogs endlessly about the “evils” of Rick Warren, Joel Osteen, etc., all to no avail in the end. I actually ended up offending and hurting fellow believers who were doing their best to follow Christ with humility–something I didn’t have a clue about. I’ve tried to stay away from sarcastic–and, in my opinion, often divisive and unfruitful–Christian sites/blogs, knowing my own proclivity to fall into the trap of self-righteous, overly judgmental behavior. I used to put myself in the same authoritative category as the apostle Paul and feel vindicated in my nit-picky judgments against my fellow Christians. I was sadly deluded, and my fear is that many of those who frequent sites like this share in that delusion. I could be wrong, though. I’m just being up front with what I’m thinking…
I would probably agree with a lot of what most of you believe, being a conservative evangelical myself, but it just seems like there’s got to be a better way to go about all of this. I mean, is sarcasm and inflammatory banter (I’m including my previous comment in this unfortunate category) the best means of stirring up a love for brothers and sisters in Christ–even if we disagree with them on some things? I’m not saying we have to compromise on the essentials of the faith. But there’s gotta be some “room for disagreement” among Christians who don’t see eye to eye on every issue, right?
Ok, I’m just rambling now, so I’ll stop. Again, my apologies for my attitude in my previous comment. The inciting comment that got me “all fired up” was this one by Michael Albert, and I should have addressed it specifically instead of just going off like that:
“Well, perhaps the people of the Galatian Church were just trying out their Purpose Driven Temple teachings. They felt that the Apostate…er…I mean…Apostle Warren’s program was better than Christ’s doctrines and certainly was not as harsh. I mean, God doesn’t REALLY send people to Hell. He is sooooo loving and kind and is open enough to over look those little things we do.”
Michael, please don’t waste any more precious time bashing Rick Warren–there’s gotta be a bette way to spend your life.
Grace/Peace/Kindness/Compassion to you all
March 7th, 2009 at 12:54 am
J.Bru.May: I appreciate much of what you have to say, both now and in your previous comment (though I did think it veered into some unfair generalities). Your desire for a “better way” is commendable and I receive your thoughts and opinions in the humble spirit it was given.
If it is done correctly and with the right spirit, I believe there is room to use humor to look at ourselves as Christians and see our folly, especially if it is done with joy and for the purpose of edification and yes, biblical correction. I can’t speak for the commenters here, but the Sandwich desires to use the satire in a positive, lighthearted way for the benefit of the Church. In all sincerity, your concerns are my concerns and I appreciate you reminding me to keep the humor at a level that does no harm to the Body.
March 7th, 2009 at 7:54 am
Logicians often scoff at the lack of rigor required to wield an ad hominem argument. I believe that such concerns are valid when dealing solely with human reason. My appreciation of the Sandwich stems from my perception that the authors recognize Christians are to place a paramount importance on truth revealed through God’s special revelation. Because there exists a preeminent authority for our faith, attacking the author for how her ideas/lifestyle/practice measures up to that authority is valid. Essentially, if the author is in violation of preeminent truth, her arguments are void. The satire of the Sandwich engages in such argument with often biting clarity. For me, such clarity compels me to reorder my own mind by returning to the scripture.
I have also appreciated that the authors of the Sandwich take great care to consider the context of their satire. Although anyone can blindly attack another, I’ve never once felt that members of the League of Tyndale leapt before they looked. While their satire is open to misinterpretation, the commentary of their exchanges on the message boards show there is more to them than simple silliness or unrestrained outrage. Their care demonstrates their commitment to responsible commentary. They help us to laugh at our own follies while encouraging us to grow in Christ.
Iron sharpens iron - sometimes the noise is pleasant, sometimes it is grating.
March 7th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
J.Bru.May,
Remember Paul saying “Be imitators of me”: even very hard language bearing upon false teaching is a reality throughout Church history: men who will not mince words or step lightly around heretics and their false teachings: Paul commands that we expose such things, and it’s not a simplistic matter of mere disagreement, as you know.
Criticism is not “bashing”, and sarcasm is often one of the most sensitive (as well as provoking) methods of deal with deviations and what is wrong: even Paul uses sarcasm–it is a fact of life and human speech, and it is effective: used with care, and for the right reasons, even if it is BITING, when it SEARS into the hard flesh of idolatrous and deceived hearts, it can be a very good thing.
Rick has not only taught loosely, but falsely, advocated friendship with the world, acted the syncophant, elevated secondary issues above essentials, and puts the burden of salvation upon the shoulders of the sheep, rather than remaining christocentric: he is a false teacher (I don’t care about the shallow SoF, in general and going over his teachings and materials, his documented attempts to run-around people’s discernment, his training of churches to abuse and “deal with” the “dissenters” who he compares to “cancer” if they’re not with his own “operating system of the church”) and he should be dealt with from all angles, in various means, with no beating around the bush.
We don’t have to be acerbic with those deceived, either, and no “Christians are just trying to do the best they can” is not a valid defense to defer from contending from the faith, or calling-out brothers in sin and deception: if it is that you did so with a poor attitude, etc., then glad you realized that! Note even your own imbibing of the whole “it’s up to me” teaching, though, as in quote,
“I can’t believe I’m actually wasting my time with this post…….I wonder how many starved to death and went to hell during the time I took to write this……this convicts me to the core–and I hope it does you, as well”.
Did you know you can’t save anyone? Don’t you know it is not up to you? It is GREAT to have desire and conviction to get-out there and preach the gospel…but don’t think anyone is going to hell just because you can’t always be there to try to stop it, either. (see John 6.)
March 30th, 2009 at 8:42 am
Hey John,
I understand where you’re coming from, man. It may seem like I adhere to “it’s up to me” theology, but I’m actually a Calvinist attending a Reformed seminary (I consider myself a Reformed Baptist Charismatic–kind of a theological “mutt”, if you will!). I believe in the sovereignty of God in salvation–but I have also seen the tragic tendency of Reformed people (myself included) to neglect our own role/responsibility in the process of God saving sinners. I’m just trying to be on guard against that, ya know?
I agree we need to “contend for the faith”, but once again I’m guarding myself from the unfortunate Reformed proclivity toward judgmental, “I’m right and you’re wrong and one day you’ll truly understand the Bible like me” attitude.
So, fight on. Put on the whole armor of God. Just make sure you’re fighting against your enemy and not your fellow soldiers.
Grace/Peace
March 30th, 2009 at 10:26 am
I wasn’t sure if I wanted to laugh or cry when I read these things, as I know many who make such comments.
And to the gent that asked if we have the same Authority as Paul, I would contend that YES, WE DO!! Because it is a God given Authority to ALL Christians–Paul had the Same Spirit of God indwelling Him, that indwells us today, that Has not changed.
The problem today is that so few fail to realize that, Paul did not speak on His own authority, He spoke on the Authority of God, just as Pastors and other believers Should today.
It is not our condemnation we share when we share God’s word, it is God’s condemnation against His Creation. It is not me condemning a person when I share God’s truth, it is God’s truth condemning the person, why would we even dare to take credit for something only God can do??? If the person ‘feel’s’ condemned by God’s word, then that is between them and God, not them and the person speaking God’s truth to them.
April 11th, 2009 at 9:25 pm
It is so scary and sickening that most denominations
don’t have a clue that they are adding to the Gospel
of Christ with their religious traditions of men. If they would
just follow the time line in history laid out in the Bible
and see that Jesus Christ had given Paul a new and secret
revelation for the Gentiles to become part of the Body of Christ.
Scripture says if “WE WOULD CONSIDER PAUL” we would have
UNDERSTANDING about true lasting Salvation.
God bless all,
Your Brother Mark
growandknow.blogspot.com
April 25th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
Greta site! Love all the blogs!
My fav thing Jesus said is THIS……………….
“”REPENT”"” FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS AT HAND, BE BAPTISED IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, SON, HOLY SPIRIT.
HE DIDN`T PREACH..ASK JESUS INTO YOUR HEART, AND GO @ YOUR MERRY WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HE TOLD THE WOMAN AT THE WELL..TO SIN NO “” MORE “”"”"”"”"”"
OH YEAH…HE WHO STANDS FIRM TO THE “”"”END”"”"” SHALL BE SAVED
OK, WHOSE A STANDING WITH ME ON THIS??
LEMME TELL YOU, I SEE/HEAR JUST @ EVERYTHING BUT THIS EVERYWHERE, ESP IN THE MODERN DAY CHURCH,
COMMENTS??????????????????????
May 7th, 2009 at 1:11 am
Excellently done. Sadly, so true it hurts.
May 14th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
William Zenby’s letter sounds a bit like John Shelby Spong.
May 19th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
This satire or whatever it is supposed to be ignores a very important point, i.e. that Paul’s purpose in writing the Galatian letters was to PROVE to the Galatians that he is an apostle because they, and indeed all Asia Minor, were beginning to doubt his apostleship. Paul begins with the thesis “I am an apostle not of men but of Jesus Christ” and defends the thesis by saying:
“I am independent of the 12, and better than them. Whereas they walked faithfully with Jesus throughout his earthly ministry and saw his miracles and heard his teachings, I received an internal revelation of Christ which is much better. Not only that, but the top 3–Peter, James, and John–are a collection of nobodies who only seem to be something, but whatever they are doesn’t make a lick of difference to me. In truth, they’re all Judaizers! Yet, even they acknowledge that God has chosen me to preach to the Gentiles, and they can’t add anything to me. I know you’ve read in that ‘book of Acts’ that in the Jerusalem Council they added letters to me to deliver to the churches, but its a lie. In reality all they tried to add to me in the Jerusalem Council was to remember the poor, as if I wasn’t already going to do that. And, look, Peter’s a big fat hypocrite! I’ll relate to you an incident that happened in a far away place which you can’t possibly verify, and which I have no reason to share with you other than that I need to make the real apostles look bad to make myself seem like an apostle. I chewed Peter down, and that makes me the top apostles now!”
It is no wonder that after this letter, not only Galatia, but all of Asia Minor (many of which Paul established, and which includes Ephesus, Laodicea, Lystra, Derbe, Colosse) rejected Paul as a false apostle, as Paul complains to Timothy right before his death, 2nd Timothy 1:15 “This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me.” John also represents Jesus as having him write a letter to Ephesus (which is in Asia) and say to them on Jesus’ behalf “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars;”
You mock those who find problems with Paul, but the fact is that Paul’s claim to apostleship stands on such shaky grounds that when challenged by the Galatians to prove that he is an apostle, the best he could do was attack Peter, James, and John.
June 10th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Amazing article !!!
A true depiction of how lukewarm and soft many “Christians” have become to the TRUTH.
Its time “Christians” today get a indirect dosage like this
September 10th, 2009 at 1:33 am
Dear Sir,
I would like to read the full text of the article: “If Paul’s letter to the Galatians was published in christianity Today.”
How can I access it please.
Regards
David
September 18th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
I love you Sacred Sandwich.
September 20th, 2009 at 1:43 am
I have just been reading some of the comments by some who seem to believe they are followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. I would like to say that I am a lover of God’s Word and would like to remind these so called followers what 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says; “ALL SCRIPTURE IS GIVEN BY INSPIRATION OF GOD, AND IS PROFITABLE FOR DOCTRINE, FOR REPROOF, FOR CORRECTION, FOR INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS, THAT THE MAN OF GOD MAY BE COMPLETE, THOROUGHLY EQUIPPED FOR EVERY GOOD WORK. If you can not accept the TRUTH of God’s Word then open your heart that God’s Spirit may come in and convict you of your deception so that you will come back to the TRUTH which sets us FREE>
November 13th, 2009 at 8:53 pm
How little there is if we do a search looking to compare today’s church with the church Paul describes in Galatians. If we take a serious look at what we have become, we have added to the Gospel.
One of the biggest is our worship of “Scripture” or the “Bible” over Christ.
There is nothing wrong with prayer and tithing and reading the bible and memorizing scripture, until it is added to the gospel.
I enjoyed this description of todays responses to Paul, as I believe the church today is predominantly a business using the additions to the gospel as controlling agents.
I love Christ, I hate religion.
Cheers
November 24th, 2009 at 11:20 am
From Genesis to Revelation we have God’s inspired and preserved Holy Word . The book of Galatians was written by Paul who was “moved” (inspired)by the Holy Spirit to write it. He was addressing the churches at Galatia because false teachers were influencing them to another gospel.His letter exposes the Mormons of today with their false prophet Joseph Smith and the other gospel he “received ” from the “angel Moroni”.These Judiaziers were telling the Gentiles that before they become a Christain they had to become a Jew first by the way of circumcision. This is not God’s plan of salvation by grace.False teachers are very dangerous, remember Jim Jones. The heart of Paul’s letter to the Galatians is found in chapters 5 & 6 with the main focus on “walking in the spirit” in chapter 5. Oh how we need this message today .One of the purposes of The Bible was to correct us, we are never to correct the Bible. The message of salvation will always be the same: John 3:16-18,36 Acts 16:31 Romans 10:9,10,13
December 13th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
It takes humility and meekness to find most satire funny. Not because of anything more than the fact that we see ourselves within. Tears of laughter are a blessing, and show that which is most beneficial in a satirical piece, knowing that but for the grace of God go I.
By the way, who is Doug Hannah, because if he isn’t anyone who might try to serve a law suit, you really should consider the new slogan of the Sacred Sandwich to be “BOO YA. YOU GOT SERVED” or tweak it a bit to ‘BWAHAHAHAHA, YOU GOT SERVED’
Thank you for the article, it was BWAHAHAHALARIOUS