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-Apostle Paul was a Fake and a Spy?
by Dr. D ~ December 6th, 2008
(Picture of Spy Museum via Wikipedia)
LEXINGTON, Va.: – The head of the history department at Virginia Military Institute suggests that the Apostle Paul faked his conversion and was really a spy for the Romans.
Col. Rose Mary Sheldon of VMI, presented her thesis last week at the International Spy Museum in Washington DC. It was based upon research that she did as co-author of “Operation Messiah: St. Paul, Roman Intelligence and the Birth of Christianity“.
According to her theory, Paul faked his conversion on the road to Damascus so he could infiltrate Christian congregations and report to Rome on the suspicious new group. She notes that Paul’s interaction with Roman officials was remarkably friendly, and that in his letter to the Romans, he urges Christians to obey the authorities.
Response: This comes from the ‘head’ of the VMI history department? Wow, VMI has a storied and respected past but this research does nothing for its current credibility.
Col. Sheldon may know something about the history and procedures of spying, but is woefully ignorant about New Testament scholarship and the writings of Paul. She will not be able to find even one NT scholar or student who will agree with her theories. They are crack-pot to say the least.
One major hole in the theory is in the timing of it all. When Paul went to Jerusalem following his conversion he was not well received by the Christian community–In fact, the Apostles sent him packing. After that, Paul spent 9 years making tents for a living in Tarsus before Barnabus brought him to Antioch and another couple of years before he was recognized and sent with Barnabus on their first missionary trip.
Nine years is a very long time, a fake would have gone back to his old job with the Sanhedrin or teaching in the Temple–lots better for a scholar than making tents.
Also, a fake would never be able to write Romans, I Corinthians, Galatians, or any of the genuine Pauline corpus. These writings are part of the very foundation of the Christian religion and loaded with genuine theological teaching, and innovation that continues to inspire Christian scholars 1,900+ years later.
One of his earliest writings totally contradicts Roman thought and culture which divided the world between Roman citizens and slaves. Paul writes in Galatians 3:26–28:
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
That one passage ended up being the basis for transforming all of Western culture and society. It was contrary to the traditions and thinking of the Jewish culture that Paul was raised in and was in definite opposition to the 1st century Roman world view. So much for 007 Paul. Anyway you shake it or stir it– it makes no sense. *Top
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December 6th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
[...] <<Read my response to this ridiculous theory>> *Top [...]
December 6th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
[...] <<Read my response to this ridiculous theory>> *Top [...]
December 6th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
[...] <<Here’s my response to her ridiculous theory>> *Top [...]
December 7th, 2008 at 10:13 am
I am a 1974 graduate of VMI. I must tell you that I am absolutely disgusted to see any “professor”, much less the head of the history department put forth such a ridiculous assertion. As you rightly point out, her “facts” are questionable at best and likely an accumulation of piecemeal information taken out of context in order to provide another means of attack on the Christian faith. As Christians, it is time to stand up to these people; I am glad to see that you have. Thank you.
December 7th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Steve: Thanks for visiting and for your comments, I appreciate it.
September 22nd, 2009 at 12:02 am
[...] LEXINGTON, Va.: – The head of the history department at Virginia Military Institute suggests that the Apostle Paul faked his conversion and was really a spy for the Romans. <<Read the Rest>> [...]
June 3rd, 2010 at 5:23 am
When paul told people to fear the romans because they carry the sword and pay heavy taxes to ceaser he lost ALL creadability… since when did the Romans become Gods avengers! We are told in scripture that Govenmental rule is Satanic (the wild beast of Revelation) so why adhere to it… would you worship Ceaser as a Christian just because you lived in Rome? so why tell others to? I agree, Paul was a spy, his convertion is just to neat and tidy. Wake up people the whole Canon of the Bible is suspect to say the least!!! I Follow Jesus whole heartedly and can see flaws in the whole Canon… Kenny.
June 4th, 2010 at 3:11 am
Im confused, I love Jesus Christ but find my self questioning the Bible?
October 31st, 2010 at 3:08 pm
The teachings of Paul form the basis of much of modern Christianity. But they are not the teachings of Jesus. Nor do they typically clarify or even echo the teachings of Jesus. They do, however, serve to create a theology by which believers may readily aqcuiesce to being peacefully governed.
February 20th, 2011 at 9:16 am
Paul was the deception which Jesus warned. Jesus said if anyone said I returned, do not believe it. Paul said Jesus returned as one unnaturally born. Paul says in 1 Cor 10 to eat meat sacrificed to idols. The apostles for bid it in Acts chapters 15 and 21. Jesus IDs Paul in Revelations and disapproves of Paul’s eating idol meat. …no doubt Paul is a false apostle.
February 21st, 2011 at 1:35 pm
san mcnellis,
You are entirely wrong. Paul is not a false prophet. Jesus did not name him or imply that he was in Revelation (2:2). Paul did not teach that Jesus had returned ‘as one unnaturally born’ -Paul was referring in context to himself (I Cor. 5-9) verse 9 continues the thought and shows Paul himself is the subject of that phrase and not Jesus.
Paul did not say in 1 Cor 10 to eat meat sacrificed to idols. He taught that Christians should not knowingly eat meat dedicated to idols- far different than what you imply. Plus I will not give any PR to the heretical book you want to link to I am already conversant with most of the issues expressed there.
I will say this, there is merit to the idea that the teaching of Jesus needs to receive more attention and primacy in the church. However, the writings of Paul are inspired and a necessary part of the Christian canon of scripture and still valid today and forever.
July 11th, 2011 at 11:13 pm
For those claiming Paul somehow teaches things counter to the teachings of Christ…where do you get your proof?
Paul did say that there was nothing wrong with eating meat that had been sacrificed to idols, but he went on to say that this “liberty” was between you and God, and should not be acted on around those who didn’t have the faith to believe it was okay.
Nowhere do the teachings of Paul go against the teachings of Christ. Not one single time.
As regards the statement that, somehow, Governmental rule is satanic and that said rule is the “beast” described in Revelation? I honestly am unsure if I should weep or laugh. “Render unto Caeser what is Caeser’s and unto God what is God’s.” Does that sound familiar at all? That’s right. Those are the words of Jesus. Doesn’t sound like He’s condemning governmental rule. (That would be extremely ironic, since it was YHWH who INSTITUTED it!)
July 12th, 2011 at 7:25 am
Thanks Chris. Right on.