St. Paul, A.K.A. Saul of Tarsus wrote a great portion of the New Testament. Most Christians understand that. But what's NOT typically understood is why he was so hated in his day by the religious authorities. Yet it was that animosity that soured Church-Synagogue relations for over 1500 years. Today the Jewish community is perfectly happy that Christians read Paul and desire to be good Christians, as long as they don't try to convert them. But in Bible times Paul was accused of subverting the civil order, of poisoning the faith of the faithful, of causing riots in the major cities of the Empire. There was a murder contract on his life similar to what the ayatollahs of Iran did with author Salmon Rushdie, when they issued their "fatwa" against him. The Synagogue considered Paul to be one of the most dangerous men in the world because of what he taught: that both Jew and gentile escape the wrath of God based on no good deeds that either does, but entirely on the good deeds of Another. And 2000 years ago, those were fighting words. This Thursday we answer "why". Tune in and take notes! Your host, Rev. Rick Anderson, on Jewish Roots, each Thursday 9:30-10:30 pm EST. Listen LIVE through Twitter, LinkedIn, GooglePlus and Facebook/com/fougcrew. To call in with a question or comment: 347-324-5759, or access our website www.scripturesdramatized.com for archived shows.
