Evangelical Christianity often sounds more like a Paul fan club than a movement centered on Jesus. Many of the ideas most loudly preached in modern churches about sin, gender, sexuality, and even salvation come not from the words of Christ, but from Paul’s letters written decades later. Over time, the radical message of love, mercy, and liberation that Jesus lived out has been overshadowed by Paul’s rules, arguments, and theology.
So, let’s play a little game I call “Jesus or Paul?” Can you tell which teachings actually came from Jesus himself?
1. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
2. “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life.”
3. “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”
4. “Do not be anxious about anything.”
5. “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come.”
6. “For by grace you have been saved through faith.”
7. “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
8. “We are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”
9. “The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”
10. “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.”
Answer Key:
- Paul (Romans 3:23)
- Paul (Romans 6:23)
- Paul (Romans 10:17)
- Paul (Philippians 4:6)
- Paul (2 Corinthians 5:17)
- Paul (Ephesians 2:8)
- Paul (Romans 8:1)
- Paul (Romans 8:37)
- Paul (2 Corinthians 3:6)
- Paul (Philippians 2:5)
Rowdy and Redeemed 