Pauline theology is Christianity's only hope—without it, atheism and despair follow.
Francis L. Patton, president of Princeton University from 1888 to 1902, said it is 'either back, back, back to the doctrines of Paul, or it's on, on, on to atheism and despair.' Les Feldick agrees, teaching that Paul's epistles contain the fundamental truths for salvation, the Christian walk, and the local church during this age of grace.
Romans 11:13 — Paul's own statement that he is the apostle of the Gentiles, explaining why his epistles carry foundational authority for the Church Age.
2 Timothy 3:16 — Paul's declaration that all Scripture is God-breathed and profitable, which Les cites to show he does not discard the rest of the Bible.
Paul identified himself as the apostle to the Gentiles: "For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:" (Romans 11:13). He also declared the full inspiration of Scripture: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" (2 Timothy 3:16). In 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Paul summarized the gospel he preached: "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures." Thus Scripture itself sets Paul's writings apart as inspired and foundational.
Les Feldick makes no apology for emphasizing Paul, explaining that Paul claims to be the apostle of the Gentiles. He teaches that for this age of grace—the Church Age—the Pauline letters are where believers must find the fundamental truths for salvation, the Christian walk, and the operation of the local church. At the same time, he stresses that he uses the whole Scripture, Genesis through Revelation, because Paul himself wrote that all Scripture is profitable.
Francis L. Patton served as president of Princeton University from 1888 to 1902, as Les confirmed by calling Princeton. Les read a quote from this 'man of intellect': 'it's either back, back, back to the doctrines of Paul, or it's on, on, on to atheism and despair.' Les said Patton 'had it straight'—recognizing that Christianity must return to Pauline doctrine or collapse into unbelief.
Les teaches that Paul is the designated apostle of the Gentiles and that the Pauline letters supply the fundamental truths for salvation, Christian living, and church order. He compares Paul's epistles to the bloom of a plant—while the root, stem, and leaves are necessary, the full flower of God's plan for salvation is found in Paul's writings. Les also instructs readers to compare Paul's epistles with the Gospels and early Acts, noting that many of Paul's doctrines are not found in Christ's earthly ministry or the early chapters of Acts.
Les says many people, even among conservative Christians, 'won't give Paul the time of day.' He even recounts hearing a woman say that Paul's writings should not be in the Bible. Les uses the plant analogy to warn that theologians and preachers 'clip off' the bloom of Paul's revelations, spending all their time in the Gospels and cutting off the very part that reveals the beauty of God's overall program of salvation.
Jacob Becomes Israel — What Romans 9 Says About True Faith
number and we'll get the order blanks or whatever you care to have. Again we just want to go right back to where we left off in our last program which was in Romans chapter 9, and we are now down to verse 6. So those of you in the studio audience, Now you remember we've been emphasizing that this book of Romans is just almost the highlight of all of Scripture.
Paul as Apostle to the Gentiles
Les teaches that Paul's epistles supply the fundamental truths for salvation, the Christian walk, and church order in the Church Age, while affirming all Scripture is profitable.
Paul's Apostleship Under Attack
Les notes that Paul constantly had to defend his apostleship and that many people still dismiss him; Romans is Paul's letter to the Gentile congregation.
Patton's Warning on Pauline Doctrine
Les reads Francis L. Patton's warning that it is either back to the doctrines of Paul or on to atheism and despair.
Rejection of Paul's Writings
Les recounts that some believers say Paul's writings should not even be in the Bible, and he makes no apology for elevating Paul as the apostle of the Gentiles.
Full Flower in Paul's Letters
Les compares Paul's epistles to the bloom of a plant, explaining that the full beauty of God's salvation program is in Paul's letters, not in the Gospels alone.
Whole Scripture, Not Just Paul
Les clarifies that he uses Genesis through Revelation because Paul himself said all Scripture is profitable; he is not narrowly isolated to Paul.
Unique Doctrines in Paul
Les instructs readers to compare Paul's epistles with the Gospels and early Acts, noting that many Pauline doctrines are not found in Christ's earthly ministry.
Romans 11:13: For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
Paul's own declaration of his apostolic calling to the Gentiles, showing why his epistles hold unique authority for Gentile believers.
2 Timothy 3:16: All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Paul's statement that all Scripture is God-breathed, which Les cites to show that emphasizing Paul does not mean discarding the rest of the Bible.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4: For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
The core gospel Paul preached, illustrating that Paul's epistles contain foundational truths for salvation.
Francis L. Patton served as president of Princeton University from 1888 to 1902. According to Les Feldick, Patton said it is 'either back, back, back to the doctrines of Paul, or it's on, on, on to atheism and despair.'
Patton saw abandonment of Pauline theology leading to atheism and despair. Les teaches in agreement that Paul's epistles contain the fundamental truths for salvation, the Christian walk, and the operation of the local church in this age of grace.
No. Les says he uses the whole Scripture, Genesis through Revelation, because Paul himself wrote that all Scripture is inspired and profitable. But he stresses that the unique doctrines of grace are found in Paul's writings.
Watch the Teaching: Jacob Becomes Israel — What Romans 9 Says About True Faith