Paul: Sin and Salvation Paul’s views on the life of Jesus Is unique to the rest of the new testament writers. And although, Paul (once Saul) persecuted Jesus when he was alive, in the end, would be commissioned by Jesus himself. ”Paul an apostle—sent neither by human commission nor from human authorities, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead—2and all the members of God’s family* who are with me.” (Galatians 1:1-2 NSRV). In fact, Paul was the first writer of the New Testament and his many letters give us much insight on how educated and cultured he was. He seems to be well versed in Greek, Roman and Jewish traditions, and his letters carefully and methodically use key terms and phrases to capture the hearts of each of those audiences. Paul is quite proficient at amalgamating opposing schools of thought, in order to create a bridge for the belief in Jesus, as the Christ and salvation for the world. A great example of Paul’s ability to unit different bodies of knowledge to create solidarity, can be read in Romans chapter 2 verse 14 “When Gentiles, who do not possess the law, do instinctively what the law requires, these, though not having the law, are a law to themselves.” (Romans 2:14). Here Paul is addressing the cream of the crop, in Greek thought concerning sin. Greek philosophy during that time (and for many contemporary philosophers today), concerning sin, was that man has the critical intrinsic mental faculties that enable rational reflection and therefore, the ability know what is righteous (good), independent of God telling you through Law that it is good. The Greeks summed up this premise with a question. Are righteous acts good because the Gods say they’re good, or are they good because they are good? And if they are good because they are good in and of themselves-- Then aren’t they good independent of the Gods