Featured Theory — the Greek “mystery religion” version of Christianity was already widespread at the time of Paul’s travels.

[AgnosticBoy]

While @Multicolored Lemur theory is possible since people can be influenced by those they encounter. The travel is consistent with what would need to occur, but you'd need more than that. What is that phrase... sorry I'm not home yet.. necessary but not sufficient?...oh.. I'll look it up when I get home!

 

[Scooter]

While @Multicolored Lemur theory is possible

It’s possible but not plausible. Paul was a zealot for Judaism. As a Pharisee who studied directly under Gamaliel, Paul’s entire belief system was consumed with Old Testament law. That is imo why he was selected by God. His understanding of the OT helped clarify the types and figures of Christ.

Paul’s missionary journeys all took place after his conversion. The book of Acts details Paul’s travels and how he preached Jesus and established Christian churches. There is nothing anywhere in scripture that suggests Paul had any interest in some mystery religion. That theory is total fiction.

 

[AgnosticBoy]

Paul’s missionary journeys all took place after his conversion. The book of Acts details Paul’s travels and how he preached Jesus and established Christian churches. There is nothing anywhere in scripture that suggests Paul had any interest in some mystery religion. That theory is total fiction

. His intent was to evangelize and not just site seeing. Given those intentions, he's likely not interested in any other faith but instead is trying to win people over to his faith.

 

[Scooter]

Paul’s missionary journeys all took place after his conversion. The book of Acts details Paul’s travels and how he preached Jesus and established Christian churches. There is nothing anywhere in scripture that suggests Paul had any interest in some mystery religion. That theory is total fiction

. His intent was to evangelize and not just site seeing. Given those intentions, he's likely not interested in any other faith but instead is trying to win people over to his faith.

Exactly

 

[Multicolored Lemur]

Acts 22:3 I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel,

So, Paul is living in what would become modern-day Turkey, and maybe being exposed to one or several “Greek mystery religions.”

 

[Multicolored Lemur]

And that’s where Paul was from, the city of Tarsus in the north.

Yes, he was raised in a Jewish household. But still, as a sincere and good-hearted teenager especially, he had to wonder about non-Jewish people he grew up with, whether they were “saved,” received the blessings of God, etc, etc.

Speculation — In the back of his mind was percolating the possibility of some kind of fusion religion.

 

[Scooter]

Yes, he was raised in a Jewish household. But still, as a sincere and good-hearted teenager especially, he had to wonder about non-Jewish people he grew up with, whether they were “saved,” received the blessings of God, etc, etc.

There is obviously a lack of knowledge concerning Jewish belief system on display in your post. Jewish people were taught from their earliest days that their religion was the only true religion and that all others were evil and wicked. Jewish people considered all non-Jews (Gentiles) as dogs. So while Paul may have been aware of other religions he would not have been interested in any of their dogmas. And being saved was not a possibility until after Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. So again, your theory has no validity whatsoever. No matter how long this dead horse is beaten, it is still a dead horse.

 

[Multicolored Lemur]

Jewish people were taught from their earliest days that their religion was the only true religion and that all others were evil and wicked. Jewish people considered all non-Jews (Gentiles) as dogs.

In the big expanse of human history maybe starting 500 BC, there were many areas in the Middle East where Jews and Non-Jews got along just fine, and for centuries at all.

The attitude which you describe is why I say it certainly is possible for a person to be “too” religious. And in point of fact, most people are just not that religious.

 

[Scooter]

In the big expanse of human history maybe starting 500 BC, there were many areas in the Middle East where Jews and Non-Jews got along just fine, and for centuries at all.

The attitude which you describe is why I say it certainly is possible for a person to be “too” religious. And in point of fact, most people are just not that religious.

Again, where is your evidence? Speculation is not evidence. Claims need some type of support. There is ZERO evidence Paul was influenced in any way by some mystery religion. None, Nada, Zilch. I have shown where Paul was raised and brought up as a Pharisee who was zealous for the Jews religion. You continue to offer opinions, but opinions are not evidence. You are free to believe whatever you want to believe. But without some supporting evidence your theory rings hollow. All your maps and assumptions are worthless without some support. Keep beating that dead horse...

 

[Multicolored Lemur]

Paul's Missionary Journeys Map

Paul's Four Missionary Journeys Map began with his first one around 45 AD and ended around 60-61 AD with his fourth and final voyage to Rome.

www.conformingtojesus.com

What a luscious map!

And look at all these countries back around 50 AD. And Greece is divided into the nations of “Thrace” and “Macedonia,” and then “Achaia” to the south. I wonder about when Greece had started to develop past the city-state stage?

or these are regions of the Roman Empire?