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Was Paul Against Circumcision, Or Not?
Most Christians assume that the Apostle Paul was adamantly against circumcision. After all, this is the man who warned the Galatians that receiving circumcision could make Christ “of no advantage” to them (Gal 5:2). He even declared that those who accepted circumcision were obligated to keep the entire Mosaic Law (Gal 5:3). Those are strong words! So, the matter would seem straightforward: Paul opposed circumcision. But then we continue reading the New Testament and discover something surprising. Paul personally circumcised Timothy (Acts 16:3). Not only did Paul circumcise him, but he did so immediately after participating in the Jerusalem Council, where the apostles had just decided that Gentile believers did not need to be circumcised. At first glance, Paul’s actions appear inconsistent. Was Paul against circumcision or not? Why would he refuse to circumcise Titus but then turn around and circumcise Timothy? Was he compromising his convictions? Or was something…
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Resolving an Alleged Contradiction: Did Paul’s Companions Hear the Voice?
Scripture is often subjected to scrutiny when it comes to perceived contradictions, and one of the most debated examples involves Paul’s conversion experience as recounted in Acts. In Acts 9:7 and 22:9, we find two descriptions of the same event, but they seem to differ in the details—specifically, what Paul’s companions heard. This has led many to question whether the Bible contradicts itself on this point. By examining the original language and context, however, we can gain a clearer understanding of these passages. In this post, we’ll explore the nuances in the Greek text and discuss how these apparent differences actually harmonize, demonstrating that the Scriptures remain consistent and reliable. Let’s take a closer look at the issue and see if this is truly a contradiction or if there’s a more reasonable explanation. The Alleged Contradiction between Acts 9:7 and 22:9 “The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing…
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Should Women Wear Head Coverings?
If you walk into almost any church in North America this Sunday you will not see many (if any) women wearing a head covering. However, 1 Cor 11:2-16 seems to indicate that head coverings should be worn by women during the church service. To further complicate matters, one of the reasons given in 1 Cor 11 is because of God’s created order. If Paul is supporting head coverings from the created order, are we not obligated to continue this practice which all the churches of Paul’s time observed (1 Cor 11:16)? This is notoriously one of the most difficult passages to interpret. Some people claim that because of the many exegetical difficulties, this passage should not be used for discussion on gender and roles. However, despite some of the contextual difficulties, I think the passage is clear enough to trace the overall argument and make an informed theological decision regarding…