I started reading this discussion believing that Yeshua (Jesus) was who he said he was, son of man , prophet, rabbi (teacher), savior. And that Paul was a fraud corrupting Jesus' teachings and directing people through the wide gate down the broad path to destruction. Jesus' purported friends accepting and promoting Paul's teachings do great damage. Paul and Jesus cannot be reconciled. Without Paul the "Christain" church would never have been able to justify its atrocities and power over the secular affairs of government. I'm still where I was in my original beliefs but I don't blame non believers for not accepting the Jesus represented here.
Hastings,
Consider this. Of the Canonical writings, best we can tell, those of Paul were written first. The Gospels can later, the simplest version with the most geographical and cultural mistakes, and simplest Jesus, Mark came first, followed by the later, more embellished versions.
By this measure, the "authentic" writing of "Paul" are more foundations to Christianity then the Gospels.
We also have later forgeries attributed to "Paul" which attempted to "correct: some of "Paul's" earlier writing, such as he egalitarian views of women.
And yes, there's much between the two versions of Christianity that cannot be reconciled. Paul was way more Gnostic than most Modern Christians realize.
At least the gospels are versions of Jesus' life and teachings although admittedly with lots of gaps and omissions. But a central message of salvation through repentance and good works exemplified by your relationship with others managed to come through. He pointed out very harshly the Hebrew leaders complete failure of following God's law and they killed him for it. I know a lot was edited or added to scripture for all kinds of evil reasons although the editors failed to obliterate Jesus message. Paul on the other hand came up with a screwball formula that Jesus never endorsed. No matter whose version came out first I don't think either writers read the other side's version with the exception of most likely the book of James being almost clearly in opposition to Paul.
j
Patriotism (and religion) is the last refuge of a scoundrel.
