[Wuli]

I am often “flamed” for saying it, but I have believed for a long time that much of Christianity, as taught and believed, would not be the same without Paul's contributions and the contributions of Luke who assisted him. To me it would be a “different” Christianity in many ways, regardless of the truth of Yeshua, his Crucifixion and Resurrection, and what others testified was said to them by Yeshua. There are some theologians who have actually referred to Chrisyianity as Pauline Christianity because Paul looms so large over the body of works from the era of the apostles.

[jjotto]

There’s even a theory that Paul was a kind of undercover agent from the rabbinic establishment at the time to alter Christian theology just enough so it could never again be mistaken for a Jewish sect, thus keeping Jews away from intermarriage with the Christian sect.

[pcottraux]

I am often “flamed” for saying it, but I have believed for a long time that much of Christianity, as taught and believed, would not be the same without Paul's contributions and the contributions of Luke who assisted him. To me it would be a “different” Christianity in many ways, regardless of the truth of Yeshua, his Crucifixion and Resurrection, and what others testified was said to them by Yeshua. There are some theologians who have actually referred to Chrisyianity as Pauline Christianity because Paul looms so large over the body of works from the era of the apostles.

It's a question of whether or not you think that's a good thing or bad thing. Quite honestly, I think the evidence speaks for itself. Which apostle traveled the furthest and reached the most people? By your fruits shall ye know them.

It was Paul's decision to primarily focus on preaching to the Gentiles that matters most, as that led to the explosion of Christianity in the coming centuries. And looking at his writings, it's clear that his biggest contribution was explaining to the Gentile Christians that converting to Judaism first and obeying the Mosaic Laws...circumcision, yearly sacrifice, etc...were not necessary for salvation. It comes through faith in Christ, not works, and the Law had been fulfilled by Jesus, so we're no longer bound by it. Personally, I think that perfectly fits the context of Jesus' ministry on Earth: His lambasting of the Pharisees for the fake piousness, His insistence that He was the way, truth, and life, etc. So I think Paul has made the most profound contribution to Christianity outside of Christ Himself. And that is a wonderful thing.