Throughout the course of church history, fringe sects and skeptics have persistently sought to undermine the foundations of the Christian faith by challenging the apostleship of Paul and questioning the authority of his writings as inspired Scripture. Movements like the Ebionites, Marcionites, and modern skeptics such as Dan Brown along with heretics such as Sherry Shriner have perpetuated this destructive notion, sowing seeds of doubt and confusion in the hearts and minds of believers.
Sherry Shriner, who was a conspiracy theorist, radio host, and self-published author, was known to express highly unorthodox beliefs and opinions about Christianity. Among her various controversial claims, she challenged the apostleship of Paul. Shriner questioned Paul's teachings and authority, asserting that his writings were not divinely inspired and that he was a false apostle.
By attempting to distort Paul's teachings and discredit his apostolic authority, these false teachers and heretical movements have inflicted considerable turmoil within the church, attempting to fracture its unity and erode the very fabric of its theological foundations. It is crucial, therefore, to confront these misguided claims head-on, asserting with unwavering confidence the authenticity and indispensable value of Paul's apostolic calling and the divine inspiration behind his epistles.
But even in a more subtle manner, mainstream Evangelicalism has been influenced by the idea that Paul's letters, writings, and epistles hold a lesser status compared to the red-letter recorded words of Jesus. This perspective suggests that the teachings of Paul are somehow secondary or subordinate to the direct teachings of Jesus, potentially leading to an unintentional devaluation of Paul's apostolic authority and the divine inspiration of his writings within the New Testament. An example of this would be when Beth Moore called into question the authority of Paul when pitting Paul against Jesus in defending her new-founded softer view on homosexuality.
That being said, the apostleship of Paul has been a subject of debate and scrutiny throughout the history of Christianity. As one of the most influential figures in the early church, Paul's teachings have significantly shaped the theological framework of Christianity. However, some critics have questioned the legitimacy of his apostleship, arguing that he was self-appointed and lacked the authority granted to the original twelve apostles. In this article, we will explore the scriptural evidence that affirms Paul's apostleship, delving into the original Greek text and examining the etymology of the word "apostle" to provide a comprehensive and theologically sound defense of Paul's divine appointment.