Category Archives: The Universe

NTiR: Whadda you know, there is something decent in here after all… (Romans 10-13)

By | June 27, 2010

Paul is all over the road here. First, he says that everyone should submit to the government, because authorities are God’s servants. Huh? And for that same reason people should pay their taxes. Don’t borrow money from anyone. Love your neighbor as yourself. Put on an armor of light. Again: huh? Oh, and then Paul decides to be a party pooper, saying that followers should not have wild parties, nor get drunk, nor have sex, nor be jealous. Talk about bumming one out!

NTiR: Letters, we get letters… (Romans 1-4)

By | June 21, 2010

From my point of view, Paul’s view on all sexual matters came directly from Leviticus, and he felt no reason to question whether or not the Old Testament’s view of homosexuality was correct. Jesus never mentioned homosexuality, so a religion based just on Christ’s teachings would have nothing to say about the topic. But once Paul added his own beliefs to Christianity, we end up here.

Have I mentioned that I don’t really like Paul’s teachings?

NTiR: Is Paul cursed? Death imminent? (Acts 25-28)

By | June 17, 2010

Everyone meets up back in the court at Caesarea. The Jews once again bring a list of false, unprovable charges against Paul. Paul again responds that he has broken no laws against the Jews, the Temple nor Caesar. Festus asks if Paul would be willing to stand trial in Jerusalem, not realizing that the Jews there are waiting to ambush and kill Paul. Paul knows this, however, and asks for an appeal to Caesar himself.

NTiR: Cliffhanger: What does Paul say? (Acts 22-24)

By | June 14, 2010

Of course, the conspirators probably shouldn’t have been discussing it out in public. Paul’s nephew happens to be in the right place at the right time and overhears the entire plot. He tells the story to the Tribune. The Tribune realizes that he can’t sit back and let a Roman citizen be killed sets up a platoon consisting of 200 footmen, 70 mounted soldiers and 200 spear soldiers. This party escorts Paul out of the city and to the friendlier confines of Antipatris, and from there to Caesarea. Paul was finally put into custody in Herod’s palace.

NTiR: Peter who? It’s Paul’s ball now (Acts 17-21)

By | June 10, 2010

Paul takes advantage of the grand stage he is given, and delivers an excellent speech. He starts out by complimenting the citizens (“Men of Athens, I see that you are very religious in every way.”) Then he acknowledges their religion and beliefs (“I was walking around and looking closely at the objects you worship.” Paul then proceeds a very unique way of talking about god and Christ. I am going to quote a little bit of this here, because in the end, I really like this speech:

“I even found an altar with this written on it: ‘To an unknown god.’ So I am telling you about the unknown object you worship. The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth. He doesn’t live in shrines made by human hands, and he isn’t served by hands as if he needed anything. He himself gives everyone life, breath, and everything…”