In Praise of Paul

Except for Jesus, Paul may be the most influential figure in the history of Christianity. Luke made him the lead character in the Acts of the Apostles. Second-century bishop St. Polycarp and his disciple St. Irenaeus used Paul as a source for preaching Christian virtue. Praise for Paul continues to this day : Scholars have said, "Historically, Paul's influence on Christianity is unsurpassed"; "Paul is one of the most perpetually significant men who have ever lived"; "Paul is forever fascinating. He has shaped the Western world." ; Not all, however, praise him George Bernard Shaw criticized Paul for putting limits on the soul of Christ. Thomas Jefferson called Paul "the first corrupter of the doctrines of Jesus." Friedrich Nietszche dubbed him "the Dysangelist", the bearer of bad news. The differing assessments of the man reflect the tension within Paul and the complexity of the gospel he preached.