Final answer:
Paine's commentary on the development of Christianity contains elements of universalism and rational thought, echoing early Christian methods of constructing their faith and spreading doctrine, while also prefiguring Enlightenment challenges to scriptural authority.
Step-by-step explanation:
Paine's argument regarding the formation of Christianity reflects the concept of universalism and the influence of reason and rational thought in religious tradition. Thomas Paine, in his works, advocated for rationalism and the questioning of traditional structures, including the monarchy and hereditary succession, which parallels the early Christian efforts to formulate a religion based on universal spiritual equality and the spread of a single narrative through conversion and the consolidation of doctrine.
This approach often placed divine revelation and scriptural authority above human reason, a sentiment which was challenged by the Enlightenment ideals that Paine later represented.