Charles P Anderson

St. Paul for the Perplexed Charles P Anderson

St. Paul can indeed be a perplexing read, largely due to some writings falsely attributed to him decades after his death. When these are set aside, his seven authentic letters combined with a critical reading of the Acts of the Apostles reveal a man who courageously transitioned from vehemently opposing the followers of Jesus to enthusiastically advocating the Master's teachings and way of life. Enlightened and motivated by a mystical experience, Paul created a counter-cultural narrative based on the egalitarianism and compassion taught by Jesus. That narrative included an analysis of the human condition similar to modern concepts of addiction and communicable diseases, and a resolution-participation in communities in which mutual concern for one another enables spiritual healing for self. The goal of Paul's teaching and activity was human transformation; his method was the imitation of Christ, or as Paul puts it, imitation of those who imitate Christ in loving unconditionally.