Category: History - Religious
Many theologians would make us regard the miraculous conversion and apostleship of St. Paul as one of the strongest proofs of the truth of Christianity. But in viewing the thing closely it appears that this conversion, far from proving any thing in favour of this religion, inv...
Paul now embarked for Jerusalem; notwithstanding his own presentiments, the warnings that were given him, and the prayers of his adherents, he was obstinately determined to reso...
18. CHAPTER XVIII. Examination of St. Paul's MiraclesThough St. Paul as we have just seen, has himself taken care to shake the credit of the author of the Acts of the Apostles, it is nevertheless on the word of this writer that Ch...
2. CHAPTER II. Opinions of the first Christians upon the Acts of theIt is in the Acts of the Apostles, and the Epistles of St. Paul, that we find the details of his life and the system of his doctrine; but, how can we be certain of the authentic...
22. CHAPTER XXII. Of the Inspiration of the Prophets of the Old TestamentIt does not appear, as we have already observed, that the Jews had any precise ideas of the Holy Ghost similar to those of the Christian theologians. Moreover there is reason to...
14. CHAPTER XIV. Of the Zeal of St. Paul; Reflections on this ChristianThat passion which in common life is termed, anger, fury, vengeance or delirium, becomes zeal as soon as its object is religion, or the cause of God. It is a maxim among Christi...
5. CHAPTER V. St. Paul styles himself the Apostle of the Gentiles--CausesAll proves to us that Paul and his associate Barnabas found it much easier to convert the Gentiles than the Jews, who showed themselves almost always rebels to their lessons. Th...
23. CHAPTER XXIV. General reflections on the foundations of Christian Faith,These then are the only foundations of faith! Christians are obliged to believe that St. Paul was neither an enthusiast nor a cheat, because the church has decided that he was d...
3. CHAPTER III. Of the Authority of the Councils, of the Fathers of theIt is only in the Fathers of the Church, and the Councils, that we can find the proofs of the authenticity of the Christian traditions, and according to the proofs which remain...
20. CHAPTER XX. Of Faith, in what this Virtue consistsGenerally speaking it is St. Paul, or the author of the Epistles, (wherever he be) that are attributed to him, that ought to be regarded as the true founder of Christian theolog...
19. CHAPTER XIX. Analysis of the writings attributed to St. PaulAfter having examined the character of St. Paul by His conduct, it will be proper to make some reflections on his writings; they will serve to place in a still clearer light, th...
6. CHAPTER VI. Paul preaches in Asia Minor, Macedonia, and GreeceUpon his arrival at Lystra, St. Paul, notwithstanding the indulgence of the Council of Jerusalem, thought it good policy to circumcise a proselyte named Timothy, who was born of...
11. CHAPTER XI. Of the Disinterestedness of St. PaulIn narrowly examining into the conduct of our Apostle, we shall have much difficulty in discovering that disinterestedness with which his partizans are so desirous of investing...
21. CHAPTER XXI. Of the Holy Ghost, and Divine InspirationIt would however have been wiser in the first instance to examine into the degree of confidence due to the real or pretended writings of this wonderful man, whose history we hav...
17. CHAPTER XVII. St. Paul accused of Perjury, or the Author of the Acts ofNot contented with pursuing this oblique or hypocritical conduct, we again see, our great Apostle, evidently, wilfully guilty of perjury, or a false oath. To convince ourselves...
12. CHAPTER XII. Of the imperious Tone and political Views of St. PaulIt appears by the writings attributed to Paul himself that the empire which he exercised over the members whom he had added to his sect, was not one of mildness. In proof of thi...
15. CHAPTER XV. Of the Deceptions or Apostacy of St. PaulBy the aid of faith we never find any thing to condemn in the conduct of those, whom we have been accustomed to regard as saints; their obstinacy, seditious spirit, pride, even...
9. CHAPTER IX. Reflections on the Life and Character of St. PaulSuch is in a few words the life of St. Paul whom we are justly entitled to regard as the principal founder of the Christian Religion. In fact it appears that without him, the ig...
1. CHAPTER I. Is the Conversion of St. Paul a proof in favour of theMany theologians would make us regard the miraculous conversion and apostleship of St. Paul as one of the strongest proofs of the truth of Christianity. But in viewing the thing...
4. CHAPTER IV. Life of St. Paul, according to the Acts of the ApostlesI have thus far shewn that nothing was more destitute of proof than the authenticity of the books which contain the life and writings of St. Paul. I have shewn that the Acts of...
10. CHAPTER X. Of the Enthusiasm of St. PaulIt appears certain that this apostle was filled with enthusiasm and zeal. It will perhaps be asked whether we have a right to regard him as an impostor? a thousand examples prov...
7. CHAPTER VII. Preaching of St. Paul at Corinth and EphesusAfter leaving Athens our Apostle came to Corinth. It appears that at first he had not much success, for he took to his old trade of tent-making. However, he ventured to preach i...
13. CHAPTER XIII. Of the Humility, of St. PaulWith the ability and ambitious conduct which we have just remarked in St. Paul it is difficult to conceive that humility could have been his ruling passion. Perusing his writing...
16. CHAPTER XVI. St. Paul's HypocrisyWe cannot avoid perceiving still more of the insincerity and profound hypocrisy of Paul's conduct at Jerusalem. After having preached in a great number of towns in Asia and Gree...