Paul’s basket escape from Damascus (Robert Eisenman)

[whag]

Nor would it be wrong to follow common sense and eschew the more dangerous path unless necessary. The point is that it would not have been a lack of faith for Paul to take the safer path, all other things being equal.

Granted, though you missed the other point that Paul was never really in peril. Whether he was found sneaking away in a basket or spotted openly sauntering out of the town, his life wasn't in danger (though clearly his self-preservation instinct convinced him otherwise).

[Paprika]

Paul being the apostle to the gentles nullifies any danger.

Asserted, but not shown.

[whag]

Asserted, but not shown.

Actual peril would entail the possibility he'd be killed. Escorting him out via basket is just as much an intervening act as the alternative: God protecting Paul as he walked out of the city.

[Truthseeker]

We cannot know why God did something and not do something else. Why is the past as it is? That is a question we will never be able to answer this side of life.

[Paprika]

Escorting him out via basket is just as much an intervening act as the alternative: God protecting Paul as he walked out of the city.

Thanks for rephrasing my point and telling me about it.

[NormATive]

Judas was a common first century name. The New Testament gives eight different people with that name, one of whom is Jesus' brother and an author of a book of the New Testament! Not exactly the thing to do if you were fabricating a lie to make Jews look bad.

It was a common JEWISH name, which is precisely my point. The name Judah was so common among Jews, that it was synonamous with "Jewish." So, let's give the dude who betrays Jesus the most Jewish sounding name there is!

NORM

[whag]

Thanks for rephrasing my point and telling me about it.

Thanks for pointing out that Paul wasn't in danger regardless of escape plan.

[Paprika]

Thanks for pointing out that Paul wasn't in danger regardless of escape plan.

I've not done that. Try again.

[whag]

I've not done that. Try again.

As he was coming down in the basket, what could've happened to him? You believe he was in danger. Weave a scenario.

[Paprika]

As he was coming down in the basket, what could've happened to him? You believe he was in danger. Weave a scenario.

Red herring. Try again. You've claimed I pointed out that "Paul wasn't in danger regardless of escape plan". Burden of proof is on you to show that.

[whag]

Red herring. Try again. You've claimed I pointed out that "Paul wasn't in danger regardless of escape plan". Burden of proof is on you to show that.

You did it inadvertantly. An average Christian man isn't the same thing as the apostle to the gentiles.


Paul had some work ahead of him, so there was no danger of his life being taken whether he left openly or whether he was discovered trying to escape secretly.

[Paprika]

You did it inadvertantly. An average Christian man isn't the same thing as the apostle to the gentiles.


Paul had some work ahead of him, so there was no danger of his life being taken whether he left openly or whether he was discovered trying to escape secretly.

Asserted, but not shown.

[JonathanL]

It was a common JEWISH name, which is precisely my point. The name Judah was so common among Jews, that it was synonamous with "Jewish." So, let's give the dude who betrays Jesus the most Jewish sounding name there is!

NORM

Or, it could simply be that the guy who betrayed Jesus actually was named Judas.

[seanD]

It was a common JEWISH name, which is precisely my point. The name Judah was so common among Jews, that it was synonamous with "Jewish." So, let's give the dude who betrays Jesus the most Jewish sounding name there is!

NORM

And while we're at it, let's proclaim our savior came from the tribe of Judah. That'll teach those dirty Jews.

[RBerman]

It was a common JEWISH name, which is precisely my point. The name Judah was so common among Jews, that it was synonamous with "Jewish." So, let's give the dude who betrays Jesus the most Jewish sounding name there is!

Or.... He really had that very common name. (I see Chrawnus beat me to it in pointing out this obvious possibility.)