Corpus-Paul

["Stevan Davies" <miser17 AT epix.net>]

Robert Kraft raised the question of whether it makes sense to
speak of Paul's "conversion." At first I thought that this kind
of question can be nothing other than one of those "it depends
on what you mean by conversion" problems. 

But upon further reflection, it seems to me that Gal 1:13-23 
depicts a "conversion" that will fit almost any reasonable
definition. At first Paul finds the Churches of God to be 
so criminally unacceptable to Judaism that he, as a zealous
Jew, finds himself compelled to persecute them. Then, as a 
result of a dramatic experience wherein God's Son is revealed
in him, he joins the Churches of God. 
 "The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith 
he once tried to destroy." 
If this isn't a conversion what would be?

Steve Davies
College Misericordia