Paul was all wrong
By Warner M. Montgomery warner@thecolumbiastar.com

Charles Pfeiffer challenges Paul's soteriology.

After more than 60 years of studying and preaching the Christian message, Charles Pfeiffer decided to finally speak out. The retired minister and professor who taught at Columbia College for 31 years told the Torch Club of Columbia March 25 that "Paul was a religious genius, but he was wrong!…It is time to rethink Paul's theology."

To support his radical thesis, Pfeiffer (who happens to be an expert on the life and writings of Zane Grey as well as Paul), examined the sources of Paul's soteriology (doctrine of salvation). From the Hebrew scripture, Paul took the concept of "There are no righteous persons, no forgiveness of sins, and no fellowship with God…without a suffering servant (Jesus)."

According to Professor Pfeiffer, this idea was not supported by Hebrew writers, the psalmists, or the great prophets. In fact, they all agree there were righteous people and there was forgiveness of sins before Jesus died. Paul focused on Isaiah 53 and interpreted the "Suffering Servant" as Jesus rather than Israel. From this interpretation came most of modern Christianity's doctrine.

Rev. Pfeiffer doubts personal revelation in general, but Paul's specifically because after Paul returned from the wilderness with "God's message," he ignored everyone and everything ever after. Pfeiffer disputes Paul's revelation because it disregards Old Testament and New Testament revelation. Also, he believes Paul was wrong about the time of Jesus' second coming and the expected influx of conversions of Jews to Christianity, and he believes Paul misinterpreted Hebrew scripture.

To the hushed and semi- shocked audience, Pfeiffer concluded, "I believe I am right, but a faith can't be proven; it must be lived."

The Torch Club of Columbia meets monthly for an inspiring talk and a delicious meal. For information, contact Ed Latimer at 803-776-4765.