Femi Aribisala: The word of Paul is NOT the word of God (Part 2)

by Femi Aribisala

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No other person in the bible writes like Paul.  Far more than everybody else, Paul talks about himself.  He is always drawing attention to himself.  His epistles are littered with “I,” “me,” “my” and “mine.”
It is ridiculous to insist, as some Christians do, that Paul’s word is the word of God when Paul himself contradicts this.No other person in the bible writes like Paul.  Far more than everybody else, Paul talks about himself.  He is always drawing attention to himself.  His epistles are littered with “I,” “me,” “my” and “mine.”

In Romans, Paul refers to himself 103 times.  In 1 Corinthians, he refers to himself 175 times.  In 2 Corinthians, he refers to himself 103 times.  In Galatians, which is one of his shorter books, he refers to himself 69 times!  Clearly, Paul is just as concerned about telling us about himself as he is about telling us about God.

Jesus says: “If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.” (John 5:31).  Virtually all of Paul’s credentials are his witness of himself.  This is a tell-tale sign that his word is not the word of God.  If God wants to talk about Paul, he would get others to do so.

All about Paul

With Paul, the gospel is not just the gospel: it is Paul’s gospel. (Romans 2:16).  God is not our God: he is Paul’s God.  (Philippians 4:19).  We are not just God’s beloved, we are Paul’s beloved. (1 Corinthians 10:14).  We are not just God’s children: we are Paul’s children. (Galatians 4:19).  It is not just about Christ’s sufferings: it is about Paul’s sufferings. (Colossians 1:24).  It is not just about Christ’s doctrine: it is about Paul’s doctrine. (2 Timothy 3:10).  Here is a man so totally consumed with himself that he even blatantly appropriates the things of God.  The words of such a man must not be confused with the word of God.

Paul says: “Those in Asia have turned away from me.” (2 Timothy 1:15).  But the question is: have they turned away from the Lord?  Paul also says: “The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:9).  This can never be the word of God because Jesus, and not Paul, is God’s standard.

It is ridiculous to insist, as some Christians do, that Paul’s word is the word of God when Paul himself contradicts this.  Paul says to the Corinthians: “I speak not by commandment … and herein I give my advice.” (2 Corinthians 8:8-10). Paul’s “advice” may or may not be sound, but it certainly is Paul’s and not God’s.  Indeed, Paul sometimes makes a distinction between the Lord’s commands and his own commands.  He says: “Unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord .., but the rest is from me, not from the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 7:10-12).  Therefore, Paul’s commands are not commandments of God.

If Paul’s word is the word of God, it would not be necessary for Paul himself to flag us when he claims to be speaking the word of God.  For example, Paul says: “We can tell you this from the Lord’s own teaching…” (1 Thessalonians 4:15).  This is not the Lord speaking but somebody speaking about the Lord.  If Paul’s word is the word of God, it would be totally ludicrous for him to say: “The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying.” (2 Corinthians 11:31).  This is the statement of a man given to speaking his own words, whose words have been questioned.

Self-opinionated Paul

Who is speaking here: “I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes.” (1 Timothy 2:9).  Is it Paul or is it God?  There really should be no argument about this because Paul himself admits it is his word.  This would explain why Christian women ignore it and continue to braid their hair, and wear jewelry and expensive clothes.

Paul is very self-opinionated.  For example, he says in his conceit: “Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: but I give my own opinion.” (1 Corinthians 7:25).  If Paul has no commandments from the Lord on a subject, it is best for him to keep quiet.  Are we now to conclude that his opinion is also the word of God?  Certainly not!  As observed, even Jesus never once offered his own opinion.  Neither did he ever speak his own words. (John 12:49-50).

Paul’s pride often gets the better of him, leading him to say things he himself admits he should not say.  For example, Paul says: “Since many are boasting in the way the world does, I too will boast.” (2 Corinthians 11:18).  He then boasts about his pedigree and declares himself the best of all Christians.  Can we then still insist that even Paul’s foolish boasting is the word of God?  Certainly not!  Elsewhere the same Paul admonishes us: “What, then, can we boast about? Nothing!” (Romans 3:27).

Pagan plagiarism

Paul cannot be speaking the word of God when his word is littered with plagiarised quotations of pagan writers.  The man who hardly ever quotes Jesus is in the habit of quoting pagan writers; including Hippolytus, Aratus and Menander; men who extolled the idol god “Zeus.”  When Paul says: “We are his offspring,” (Acts 17:28), he is not speaking the word of God.  He is quoting the Greek poet Aratus’ “Phaenomena.”  When Paul says: “God is not far from each one of us for in him we live and move and have our being,” (Acts 17:27-28); he is not speaking the word of God.  He is plagiarising the Cretan seer, Epimenides.  When Paul says: “Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons,” (Titus 1:12); he is not speaking the word of God.  He is here again quoting Epimenides.

When Paul says: “Bad company corrupts good manners,” (1 Corinthians 15:33); he is not speaking the word of God.  He is plagiarising the Greek dramatist Menander’s “Thais.”  When Paul says: “The good that I would I do not; but the evil which I would not do, that I do” (Romans 7:19); he is not speaking the word of God.  He is plagiarising Hippolytus.  When Paul says: “If any widow has children or nephews, let them learn first to show piety at home” (1 Timothy 5:4); he is not speaking the word of God.  He is plagiarising the Roman playwright Terence.  When Paul says: “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12); he is not speaking the word of God.  He is plagiarising the Mahaparinibbana Suta Buddhist scriptures.

Time-bound words

Jesus says: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by no means pass away.” (Matthew 24:35).  This shows that the words of Jesus are the words of God because they are from everlasting to everlasting.  But many of the words of Paul have passed away.  Christians don’t subscribe to them anymore.

Paul says: “Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak.” (1 Corinthians 14:34).  If this injunction is the word of God, why is it that virtually no church in the world today obeys it?  Women don’t keep silent in the churches.  Therefore, this word of Paul has passed away.  It was never the word of God.  It was, and will always be, the word of Paul.

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Read this article in the Vanguard Newspapers
Op-ed pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Y!/YNaija.

Comments (18)

  1. As true believers, we only live by His grace and not by our self-righteousness. How much of even Christ Jesus direct teaching are we able to keep? Taking on Apostle Paul serves no useful spiritual purpose. Grace and more grace is all what we need and pray for. Simple.

  2. Please read Acts 19:13-15 "13 Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15 One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” This passage is a testimony to Paul's work. Mr Aribisala's conclusions did not justify his treatise. That women go with braids and skimpy dresses to church does not remove anything from Paul. Check 1 Peter 3:3. That they even speak in churches is a confirmation of what Christ says: You shall know the truth and it will set you free. Remember in the Laws the woman caught in adultery was not stoned to death because two were involved and the woman was singled out because of legal and cultural beliefs of the Jews. The grace that God promised has flown to all.

  3. hw on earth would somebdy on ds sinful world b judging somebdy in heaven…femi r u trying 2 tell us dt d bible lied when it said dt Jesus christ arrested paul on d way 2 damascus…pls understnd d fear of God n depart from sacrifice of fools. multiple of words bringeth multitude of words. it’s only d children of light dt r meant 2 understnd n believe d bible. it’s a stumbling block 2 children of perdition

  4. Hmm no wonder your trying to gain popularity,mind u what your saying now shall judge you here after.Paul have won many souls to christ what of you?how many have you won?

  5. I am really surprised that of all the comments seen above, none of the commentators even bothered to evaluate Mr. Femi’s sophomoric arguments and make better counter arguments to the ones raised by our dear heretic, Mr.Aribisala.
    It is not a some nuance or novel discovery that Mr.Femi has addressed. In Fact we know that this silly anti-Pauline diatribe as since been well established and greatly refuted over the course of Christian History. It would come as no surprise that a quasi-intellectual like Mr.Aribisala would make use of these silly unsubstantiated claims of Paul being the author of corruption within the Christian faith.
    In other to properly tackle this silly rant doled out to us by our quasi-intellectual friend we must assess the claims both existentially and scripturally.Both views would help us establish the terms by which Mr.Femi is not only wrong on significant issues concerning Paul but he (Heretic: Femi) is not drawing proper scriptural exegesis but is indeed making eisegetical readings of the scriptures.
    Firstly, we take on the issue of existential experiences of the disciples. If what Mr.femi is saying about Paul is true then we can best assume that the disciples would have stood by and watched Paul take over the religion of their Messiah and did nothing to prevent this corruption of the theology of their Master (Jesus). This claim would then associate blame on the heads of Peter, James, John, Matthew, Andrew, e.t.c. because we know from the gospel of Acts that Paul on several occasions met with the apostles and discussed theological issues such as circumcision of the Gentiles and eating of meat sacrificed to idols. So by Mr. Femi’s view the disciples just let Paul walk with the theology of their Master and did not even put up a fight. I find this inconsistent with the historicity of the gospel of Acts. There we find out that Peter attacked people that were lying under the unction of the Holy Spirit. An example of such was the episode of Ananias and sapphira. I also remember the episode of those who tried to cast out demons from a fellow using the name of Jesus, you would recall that the demons replied that they identified as one who was sent by the Holy Spirit.
    In totality of the first point one can assess that based on the writings in Acts we know that lies against inspiration or the Holy Spirit during the Apostolic era was punishable by death, insanity or any other form of affliction.

    Secondly, from the existential point of view if Mr.Femi were to be right which he isn’t by the way (if I didn’t make my thought clear) this would mean that the reformation was in vain. For those of you reading this comment and understand church history it would easily speak out to you that this man , the heretic above is very unlearned. If his position on Paul were to have any epitome of truth to it then Luther and Calvin did not see the diabolical nature of Paul and based a whole divisive view of Protestantism on a man (Paul) who not only lied about inspiration but went through the pains of being flogged by his kinsmen the Jews 39 stokes a day (the law of Moses only allowed 40 strokes but the Jews flogged 39 in case they missed count), each day for preaching about Jesus as being Christ. Also, the core doctrines of the protestant era were grounded on the interpretation of Paul’s epistles i.e Romans,1&2 Corinthians, 1&2 timothy, Galatians, Ephesians e.t.c. Even the Roman Catholic reaction to the reformation was grounded in the ecclesiastical reading of Paul’s epistles. So in retrosepct both opposing parties i.e. the Romanist and the Reformation parties believed Paul’s doctrines to be authoriative in the affairs of Christian understanding. I believe Mr. Femi the heretic is a protestant not a catholic off of his writings so I keep asking myself how can a Protestant even attack Paul when it was Paul’s epistle that sparked the Reformation and put an end to the blasphemous teachings of Roman Catholicity from engulfing the true christian message of Justification by faith alone, Sola Scriptura, Solo Christo, the five Solae in general.

    I seem to have run out of space but you get the point. Mr. femi is just following the silly view of the ‘New Perspective on Paul’ movement. which is mostly headed by………… you guessed it non Christians and atheists alike who see Paul as a hellenistic Jew. I say to Mr. Femi ‘you are under the curse of anathema.’

  6. Take it easy. What do you want to achieve? Do you have a new Bible or what? Is it self apraisal, devils’ or God? Tell people the does and don’t to be in good terms with God. Remember, the anoighting of yday wil neva b enof 4 2day’s asignment… Dnt tink u ve arieved!!!

  7. Don't mind him: oluwatosin! he just looking 4 who to drage into his nonesace belif.

    1. actually a real bible scholar check James white, Bruce metzger would believe that Paul was actually a true disciple. He (Heretic femi) is really ignorant of biblical hermeneutics, new testament criticism, early church history and other relevant theological issues. He is really unlearned and quasi intellectual to say the least. his views only impress the weak minded, muslims ( not that they are weak minded but that the view Paul in very strange light other than what is seen from the bible) and nominal Christians who don’t read the scriptures diligently.

  8. No doubts, Femi Aribisala, you need a psychiatric review.

  9. pls who is this man for heaven sake? where is he from? Why don't u just face your own your own life and keep your beliefs to urself. Stop exhibiting your confusion to the world. Stop covering urself wit sheep skin, if thou art a leopard. Be an atheist if u want to be one(though I don't pray u r one) or stay in Christianity and receive the spirit of revelation and wisdom in the things of God. I pray God fills u with the knowledge of His Will in Jesus name.

  10. As it is written: “the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life”. Good thing the Bible says we shouldn’t just believe, but should also test all things… As time tells for Paul’s epistles, so time will tell for Mr. Aribisala’s treatise. May God deliver us from deceit. Amen.

    1. Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus look hard at Aribisala,s eyes again and you will not need to argue or explain anything of the bible with him. This is the endtime period.

  11. Mr Femi you are all time full of blasphemy, Apostle paul is a man of God n he uses his experiene in the ministry to teach the word of God. Wen God speaks He did so tru men. Mr man go b a philospher u aint fit to lead a church.

  12. Mr Femi A. Biblios means bible which in turn refer to books. Paul is a man of God. This I’m sure of. He was a biblical scholar (scholar of books). Imagine the modern Nigerian pastor preach without his regular words of motivation! #you will make it, all is well etc. These words are declarations most of them can’t trace but under the influence of their enlightened mind (by the power of the Holyghost), they speak expressly. I appreciate you for the wonderful research and presentation(the 2 parts) and I believe you also know that the bible is not the word of God for in it, the devil spoke,liar spoke,tyrants spoke, thieves spoke etc. But this organised piece is not meant for everybody but for we the people caught up in this chaotic end-time. For those who seek answers and believe it’s encrypted in Books of Wisdom #BIBLE. Thanks

  13. Mr Aribisala interpreted Leters and not Logos… Paul preached Christ and led many to Christ in his time. His Epistles are still leading millions to Christ. A true man of God should be able to use himself as an example and give authoritative advice that is not contrary to the Bible. Aribisala research is baseless and misleading. He needs the Holy Spirit to understand the Bible.

  14. Oga preacher ask GOD to give you the spirit to evangelize before you stand on pulpit. Dont deceive others or deceive yourself.We christians should not fool ourselves before the non-christians. A leader must show example by himself to others as St. Paul did.He words is of GOD and not for himself, before you read his books pray for GOD to direct you to understand.

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