I thought that when people talked about the depravities of institutional Christianity they're talking not only the Dark Ages but the entire Middle Ages, the era of medieval Europe.
I thought that when people talked about the depravities of institutional Christianity they're talking not only the Dark Ages but the entire Middle Ages, the era of medieval Europe.
You forgot all of the violence the Reformation and the wars following it caused.
But Isaac Newton was a rabid fundie and an alchemist, so it evens out at some point.
What?Absolutely. From paul's death to the reformation, Christianity was one of the biggest ensurers of societal and technological stagnancy we've ever seen.
I would submit that the doctrine of Christianity was not influenced by Paul's ideas, rather by God Himself as the Holy Spirit moved the writers of the scriptures to write, or to preach, and by the teaching and life of Jesus.
Now I could go further and suggest that since it was God's will to use Paul, this scenario belongs in the ASB extreme fantasists' section, but one needs to examine the possibilities.
So we might assume Paul/Saul does not get used of God in the way he was*, and probably the best we'd see is a slightly different NT, but little doctrine changed overall if the Bible is read properly. There may, however, be different interpretations as a result as the years go on rising from different disputable parts of the text, and incorrect readings thereof.
I know a lot of people would have Paul written out of the NT, mainly either to his non-PC views on women or those who prefer to deny that faith alone is what saves (sola fide), etc. But I cannot subscribe to that POV.
*Not that I believe it possible...