In our earlier discussion of “The Gambler” one of our friends started a discussion that seems to pit Paul against Jesus, and “life in the Spirit of Jesus” against the “Christianity of Paul.”
The lingering subject surfaced again repeatedly in our last discussion about “things that last” longer than a tattoo. Seems like we are all landing around the conclusion that whatever expresses our relationship with the eternal Son of God “will not be lost or taken away from us”. But once again we’re faced with the point of whether we need to go to the Spirit rather than the “Christianity of Paul”. Am thinking that’s the point of the following excerpt from a comment posted at July 22, 2012 at 7:43 am:
Comment excerpt “So what are 120 people doing in an upper room in Acts 1? The upper room is James Holmes’ apartment! (James was head of the church). It is tripwired, booby-trapped, a bomb factory of incendiary devices waiting to go off at the right time to disconnect Jesus from Christianity. Because the book of Acts is the bridge, and the only bridge that connects the two. Without it there would be no “Jesus Christ”. Luke turned out to be as crafty as Paul, I mean he had jars of ammo, mortars, fireworks, all requiring a detonator and an electrical source (the Holy Spirit).” End of comment excerpt
I think I understand the writer’s concern that “Christianity” is often practiced in the flesh and in a legalistic attempt to keep “laws” that none of us can keep in our own effort. We seem to land together on our conviction that it is in Jesus and in the life of his Spirit that we find hope.
But that’s what I find in Paul. Even though he seldom quotes Jesus, Paul seems focused on the Son of God while illustrating life in the Spirit. Paul’s sacrificial love for others, together with his emphasis on the Spirit given to those who believe in Christ seems to so clearly bring forward the difference between trying to live by the “letter” rather than by the “Spirit”.
This is my reason for pursuing this: I’m convinced that Paul shows us how to living according to the spirit of the law as forgiven and empowered children of God– rather than giving us reason to separate the faith of Jesus the Messiah from all that goes back to Genesis.
Another reason for wanting to pursue this, is to try to make sure I reasonably understand the discussion that, as Steve from WVa commented, brought this blog to life :-)…
As always, I’m convinced that this group can wade into this kind of water together with a desire to lovingly understand those who have their reasons for disagreeing…