Paul

Front 1

Circumcision

Back 1

• Circumcision is the sign of the covenant between G-d and the Jewish people.
• Paul does not necessarily see Circumcision as something that proves one is following the law or not.
• He argues that one who is uncircumcised but follows the law is just as blessed as one who is circumcised and follows the law.
• Paul believes that breaking the law also results in the breaking of the circumcision.
• He talks of how the true Jew is an inward looker, not one who depends on the externals.

Front 2

Faith

Back 2

• Faith is an interesting concept that almost replaces the reason of Philosophers.
• To have faith in something is to continue to believe in it even if does not fulfill all three qualities of knowledge which is Justified True Belief(which is to have a claim, reasons for the claim and the knowing the truthfulness of the claim).
• Faith allows only the first two and is a giant leap in thought allowing for one to claim to know of the existence of higher power through faith alone.

Front 3

Reason

Back 3

• Reason is the use of scientific evidence as justification for justice.
• Under Paul’s belief, Reason takes a huge step backwards in importance.
• Faith becomes another valid path to justification and even replaces the use of reason.
• Reason is still used in Paul’s logic but in a sort of twisted supplemented way.
• It is not completely ignored and remains the act of logically breaking something down but his arguments are not necessary broken down in a method like with Aristotle or Plato but more directly stated beliefs.

Front 4

Salvation

Back 4

• Salvation is the act of being saved by G-d according to Paul.
• When a final judgment occurs, salvation is to be saved in the afterlife and having the justification of living a good life on Earth free from most sin.
• Paul notes that those who submit their wills to G-d and the Supreme Authorities (like the church) will have salvation for following the proper path.
• This way of thinking is what allowed the church to gain such power, with people submitting to its rulings.

Front 5

Sin

Back 5

• Sin is an act against G-d or a failing of man.
• There are many different types of Sin that Paul discusses in the “Letter to the Roman” from praising idols to homosexuality.
• Paul believes that man would never come into contact with sin if not for Civil Law, which creates the curiosity inside oneself, which could eventually lead to one sinning.
• Paul’s belief is that only G-d has the ability to expunge sins through loyal following.

Front 6

Suffering

Back 6

• Paul believes that suffering is a very important emotion to go through.
• He argues that it trains us to endure and our ability to believe.
• He makes mention to Jesus’ suffering and later expands on how suffering builds character overall.
• Paul believes that suffering is very small sacrifice compared to the glory of the afterlife.
• The idea of sacrifice in the present life in order for eternal glory is a central theme in Christianity.