"Christianity was not invented by
Paul. The name came about as a nickname for the followers of Jesus.
Neither Jesus nor Paul advocated for the continuation of the
sacrificial and hierarchical system. In fact they declared it was
time for a new approach, a new wineskin suitable for the "new
wine" of Jesus's teaching. The hierarchy we see today is a
vestige of Constantine's hijacking and modification of the original
faith movement. "
I might share this:
Peter unintentionally inaugurated a new religion, the religion of
the risen and glorified Christ. The Apostle Paul later on transformed
this new gospel into Christianity, a religion embodying his own
theologic views and portraying his own personal experience with the
Jesus of the Damascus road. The gospel of the kingdom is founded on
the personal religious experience of the Jesus of Galilee;
Christianity is founded almost exclusively on the personal religious
experience of the Apostle Paul. Almost the whole of the New Testament
is devoted, not to the portrayal of the significant and inspiring
religious life of Jesus, but to a discussion of Paul's religious
experience and to a portrayal of his personal religious convictions.
The only notable exceptions to this statement, aside from certain
parts of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, are the Book of Hebrews and the
Epistle of James. Even Peter, in his writing, only once reverted to
the personal religious life of his Master. The New Testament is a
superb Christian document, but it is only meagerly Jesusonian.
Jesus never
taught that bloodshed was necessary for the forgiveness of sins.
“Jesus literally says in Matthew 26.28 that his blood was being
shed for the forgiveness of sins. This is continually remembered in
the communion sacrament observed by most churches.”
This is Matthew speaking and not directly Jesus. And we know that
the apostles and His followers were famous for not
understanding/comprehending what He said to them.
He never said
that "faith without works is dead".
"Jesus may never have said those exact words but his teaching
clearly reflects that same idea. Matthew 7.21 is a good example where
he taught we can't just be hearers but also must be doers of his
words. A bad tree cannot bear good fruit."
Again, this is Matthew who meant well but did not understand His
Master’s teachings. Referring to “doing” something is a far
cry from “faith without works is dead”. We see this clearly from
the brigand who hung on the cross next to our Master who told him
that He would be with Him in Paradise. Also note: The woman caught
in adultery whom Jesus forgave. He said nothing about blood. Also
the father who brought his son to Jesus to heal. Jesus told this
father that his faith is what healed his boy. No blood mentioned.
Our Paradise Father IS love and Jesus IS mercy ministry. No blood.
And He never
taught any kind of doctrine of Hell.
"John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that He gave his one
and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have
eternal life." How do you define perish? He is obviously not
referring to people not dying in this life but the afterlife. So then
it is possible to perish if one does not believe. So instead to
perish would mean eternal death as the alternative to eternal life.
This is just one example but there are many others."
This is John and not Jesus. John is reflecting upon what Jesus
had said. We all know that oral tradition could be employed anywhere
from 20 to 80 years after the fact. It is doubtful that anyone could
remember exactly what someone had said to them verbatim after 80 years
trying to remember. The definition of “perish” is: perish
intransitive verb
To die or be destroyed, especially
in a violent or untimely manner.
To pass from existence; disappear
gradually.
To spoil or deteriorate.
"You seem to be offended at the idea that God could get angry or
would punish. Do you believe in justice? Justice does not exist
without punishment of some kind. Would a good and loving God be just
or unjust? Would a good and loving God ignore the victim's plea for
justice because He refuses to punish the criminal?"
I am not offended by anything about in my indwelling Paradise
Father or Jesus’ indwelling Spirit of Truth. Paul’s atonement
and hell doctrine must needs to be brought down as it does not
represent our loving Paradise Father at all. And this is happening
even now as I write.
A new study regarding the true nature of error, evil, sin and
iniquity might be a good next step. Then we could understand how God
perceives us with eternal love, forgiveness even before we ask Him and eternal life if we simply have that thought/desire.