Analysis: Paul's Conversion
Early Deacons and the Growth of the Church
Early deacons cared for the distribution of food, freeing up other disciples to teach and develop new leaders, reflecting strategic organization and structural growth.
Stephen, the First Martyr
Stephen, referred to as the first Christian martyr, was publicly stoned for his commitment to the way (Christianity).
Saul (later Paul) approved of Stephen's stoning.
Paul's Conversion
Acts 9 marks the beginning of Paul's conversion story.
Who Was Paul?
Paul was part of the force heavily persecuting the early Christian movement.
He was educated, held a position of religious authority, and was a Roman citizen.
His hostility stemmed from his identity as a Pharisee and the son of a Pharisee.
The Pharisees: A Reform Movement
The term "Pharisee" is Greek for "set apart."
They emerged after the Maccabee revolt around the second century BC and were concentrated in Jerusalem.
They believed in both the written Torah and an oral tradition, connecting them with uneducated masses.
Everyone was considered a practitioner, responsible for living out the law of the Torah in their daily lives.
They interpreted the law through the movement of the spirit and considered the changing context.
They played an influential role in ancient Israel's social and political life until the destruction of the temple.
Their anti-elitist and democratic principles contrasted with the Sadducees.
The Sadducees were more conservative and loyal to the elite.
Both groups were strongly connected to the powerful.
Paul's Loyalty
Paul's hostility towards the followers of Jesus may have been rooted in his devotion to the Pharisaic way.
Ideological Religious Struggle
These dynamics help us think through our own moment.
Comparing to Today
Who represents the empire, the Pharisees, and the movement of the way in our times?
MAGA, Christian nationalism, and white supremacy claim to restore a purity of faith degraded by secularism, communism, anti-family values, wokeism, and non-Christian Christians.
They describe their movement as anti-elite and anti-institution, aiming to return power to the people.
They might see themselves as the persecuted followers of the way.
However, their power is not used to expand the love of God but to restrict it, exclude certain people, and use violence to establish prosperity instead of care for people.
Progressive and Religiously Liberal Positions
These positions also share similarities with the Pharisees.
They are critical of the elite and have anti-capitalist critiques.
They support democratic leadership in the church.
They interpret the Bible in the context of the modern world.
However, they may feel threatened by the unchristian behavior of MAGA, white supremacists, and nationalists.
They are also threatened by those who see the institutions of the church as broken and serving the powerful.
Prophets, leaders, and communities on the margins call for a radical rejection of the way things are and a renewal of spiritual life.
The True Jesus Movement?
This more closely aligns with the Jesus movement in Paul's time.
Its radicality comes from a commitment to building from the bottom up.
It is forged in experiences of degradation, violence, and oppression.
It sings a new song rooted in suffering and the joy of love and honesty.
It is grounded in the survival needs of the community.
It is guided by a vision of a living God that resists power, lifts up the lowly, and asserts boundless freedom.
Reflection on Pharisees, Sadducees, MAGA, progressive Christians, empire, and movements of the poor is crucial.
Saul's Role in Persecution
Saul was in the middle of persecuting followers of the way in Jerusalem.
Stephen was stoned for declaring the followers of the way as the true inheritors of Moses and the prophets.
Saul approved the execution and actively participated in violence against the followers.
After witnessing movement getting bigger, Saul decided to hunt down followers in Damascus, armed with letters of reference to leaders of the synagogues.
Saul's Transformation
On the way to Damascus, Saul was overcome by a bright light, knocked off his horse, struck blind, and heard the voice of Jesus: "Why do you persecute me?"
Understanding Conversion
The traditional understanding, often reinforced in culture, is a desire for profound change to occur effortlessly and instantaneously, similar to uploading knowledge in "The Matrix".
Saul's change likely developed over time.
The movement had been slowly working on him, and maybe his reaction to Steven's martyrdom expressed fear of his uncertainty.
Instead of letting go, he doubled down.
The Journey to Damascus
The journey to Damascus, likely accompanied by poorer individuals, provided time for reflection.
He realized the movement he tried to suppress grew stronger after Jesus's crucifixion, both miraculous and terrifying.
Questions for Saul
Who were these followers of the way?
Were they mad zealots, or did they have good ideas?
Were they demonic, requiring violent disposal?
What did Rome, the Sadducees, the Pharisees, and Christian nationalists want for them?
How would narcissist billionaires, techno-feudalists, Christian progressives, or nonprofit leaders respond?
Saul realized his potential commonalities with the poor in the movement.
He questioned whether he served God or empire and whether his calling was to unite people with a message of love, compassion, and resistance.
Saul's Realization
Saul's transformation was a miracle of organizing, believing in and loving people.
The story highlights bringing people to a different way of seeing the world and committing to leadership.
This resonates with an early movement beyond narrow supremacist religion and a liberal religion unable to connect and be led by the poor.
The Process of Organizing
It is a multi-step process, not just a to b, but a to z.
It happens in classrooms, on Zoom calls, in planning meetings, through art, prayer, and singing.
It happens in streets, through conversations, and by providing meals and assistance.
It happens in successes and failures, across various demographics.
Over time, progress occurs and may jump ahead quickly.
Those few disciples that meet him and helped him in Damascus who saw this pharisee who had persecuted their people, they too were developing as leaders and being developed by others, and they were organizing others around them.
In that moment, they helped Saul become Paul.
They helped this pharisee who persecuted their people see again and see anew, to understand that the life of the movement was a resurrected life and that the people of the movement were a resurrection people.
And he made a decision to finally let go who he really was and to walk with God and realize the world God promises, one of abundance and love and justice.
So may we too continue to find our way in this world.
May we continue to be open to the leadership and guidance of others and to the guidance of God.
May we continue to know the way that gives life abundant and reject the way of domination that denies the freedom and liberation of God.
And in the face of power, when it may grow strong and hurt and even kill our people, and we continue to be resurrection people.
Amelia's Insights on Saul's Conversion
Saul's conversion is striking because it's a complete turnaround, not often seen.
Saul was not a good guy.
On the way to Damascus, Jesus speaks to him, and Saul enters the city blind.
Ananias lays hands on Saul, saying Jesus sent him to restore his sight and fill him with the Holy Spirit.
Scales fall from his eyes, and he is changed.
Metaphorical Scales
The scales are metaphorical, representing power, money, and unwillingness to see.
The Parable of the Sower
This relates to the parable of the sower.
Jesus was always sowing seeds, and Saul was rocky earth.
This time, the invitation changes him, and he becomes fertile soil.
Like the earth, we can be good soil, mixed earth, or rocky soil.
We can change.
Evolution vs. Conversion
For Amelia, it was more of an evolution, committing to action after connecting with the Poor People's Campaign.
Hearing Bishop Barbara preach at Washington National Cathedral in 2020 was a eureka moment.
The campaign principles made sense and aligned with her faith.
Removing Blinders
She was politically engaged and did charity work but was limited.
After removing blinders, she became the fertile soil.
Apathy vs. Action
There are people who aren't apathetic but don't know how to be active.
The Massachusetts Episcopal Network for the Poor People's Campaign organizes to bridge this gap.
Started as a loose group of Episcopalians called to the campaign.
They provide a space to learn about the campaign, connect it to faith, and support each other.
They create pathways to get involved and celebrate justice ministries.
They help people remove blinders and sow seeds of the campaign taking root.
Conclusion
Saul offers hope that even the hardest hearts can change.
There are people happy with scales on their eyes, blinded by power and money.
The choice is to keep sowing seeds with hope.
There are more people sowing seeds, lifting blinders, and creating fertile ground.
Coming together creates powerful things and miracles.
Hoping for evolutions and conversions, big and small, even as dramatic as Saul's.