>>96334219
The difference is the order that they arrive at their conclusion.

Clerics love Jesus, and so through Jesus's teachings they love righteousness as well.

Paladins love righteousness, and so come to love Jesus as well because he is righteous.

A Cleric seeks out the heart of God to understand him better and obey his teachings. A Paladin is sought out by God for already knowing what to do before he ever knew God.

The Cleric is the wandering soul who learns what it means to be Good through the Lord. The Paladin is the Good pagan who learns of the Lord through his goodness.

>>96316426
>They should be bound to divine powers, aka gods, much like clerics are
If they're bound to gods what's the point of the oaths then? Just do it like Clerics and have them do what the gods want them to do.