The Cult of Paul

Contrast #13: Paul's divisiveness & Jesus' peacemaking …
This next contrast can truly come as no surprise, seeing as how condemnation by its very nature
brings division – and forgiveness by its very nature engenders harmony. Indeed, for the entirety of his
biblical account – no matter where Paul seemed to go – debate & dissension followed. He first
preached in the synagogues of Damascus, whereby the Jews there became enraged and tried to kill him
(Acts 9:19-25). He then escaped to preach in Jerusalem, whereafter the Hellenist Jews there tried to kill
him as well (Acts 9:29). After his friends helped him escape to Tarsus, Paul found his way to Antioch,
and yet before long bad blood began to boil there too, and he & Barnabas were sent away (Acts 13:9-
12). Setting sail, Paul and his cohorts landed at Antioch in Pisidia, and yet it didn't take long for them
to offend many of the Jews there, who then “drove them out of their region” (Acts 13:13-52). So off
Paul went to Iconium – where he and his friends narrowly escaped being stoned for heresy (Acts 14:1-
6). This led them to flee to Lystra, where Paul engaged in even more vociferous debates and was
indeed subsequently stoned and left for dead (Acts 14:7-19). After retreating to the cozy confines of
like-minded friends back in Antioch (Acts 14:24-28), Paul again began debating with local Jews (Acts
15:1-2) and thereafter went to Jerusalem to confront the disciples on his primary matters of theological
contention. After hearing him out, James and Peter were at first unclear as to how they should deal
with Paul's fervent ramblings, and yet ultimately decided that it would be in the best interests of
everyone if he were simply sent back to Antioch (Acts 15:22-29). After remaining there for a time, Paul
grew restless and wanted to “return and visit the believers in every city where we have already
proclaimed the word of the lord” (Acts 15:36). True to form, Paul could not agree on which members
of his cadre should take part in this journey, a dissension that grew so sharp that it led to he and longtime
companion Barnabas non-amicably parting company (Acts 15:36-41). After making his way to
Philippi, Paul and his new traveling companion Silas were charged with causing a public uproar, barely
escaping an angry mob only to have the local magistrates flog and imprison them thereafter (Acts
16:16-24). After an earthquake allowed for a most miraculous escape, Paul and his cohorts made their
way to Thessalonica, where it took Paul only three Sabbath speeches to inspire the next wave of rioting
(Acts 17:1-5). Some pro-Paul believers then ushered Paul out of the city under cover of darkness, and
he made his way to Berea, where his uniquely heretical rantings created still more trouble (Acts 17:10-
13). Paul was then sent off to Athens, where the relatively sophisticated citizenry seemed to regard
him with bemused contempt (Acts 17:15-33), inspiring him be on his way once more. After thereafter
arriving in Corinth, he began “arguing” every Sabbath in the synagogue there, causing no small
amount of conflict and inspiring no small amount of derision (Acts 18:1-7). After narrowly avoiding
sentencing at the hand of Gallio (Acts 18:12-16), Paul left for Ephesus, where he spent three months
speaking in the synagogue before the offense taken by the Jews there became too rancid and Paul was
forced to leave once again (Acts 19:1-9). He then went to Tyrannus, where he remained for two years,
preaching his unique brand of “good news” (Acts 19:9-10). It was at some point shortly thereafter that
yet another Paul-inspired riot broke out – this one leading to the mauling of two of Paul's traveling
companions by an angry mob (Acts 19:28-29) and convincing Paul that it might be best if he left for
Macedonia (Acts 20:1). Paul then passed through Macedonia and entered Greece, staying there for just
three months before the next Jewish plot to kill him was set into motion and discovered (Acts 20:3). He
fled and made his way eventually to Jerusalem by boat, where he once more narrowly escaped death
when the Jews there tried to lynch him for his heresies, quite accurately stating: “This is the man who
is teaching everyone everywhere to turn against our people, our law, and this place [the Temple]” (Acts
21:27-36). It was here that Paul cast himself upon the mercy of the Roman Emperor (not on that of God
or even of Jesus Christ, his self-professed Messiah – see Acts 22:22-30), causing him to be transferred to
Caesarea where, in true Pauline fashion, he intentionally stirred up a squabble between the Pharisees
and the Sadducees (Acts 23:6-10). The Jews then formed yet another pact to kill Paul, and yet this plot
was foiled – again under cover of darkness – by Paul's newfound Roman friends (Acts 23:12-23). Paul
eventually made it to Rome thereafter, where he continued to preach his contentious gospel until his
death by decapitation several years later (Acts 28:24-31) …
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