1. Paul of Tarsus

2. Romans 8:38-39 “For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

3. Romans 12:14-16 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; never be conceited.”

4. Romans 14:10-13 “Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God; …Then let us no more pass judgment on one another, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.”

5. 1 Corinthians 13: 12-13 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall understand fully, even as I have been fully understood. So faith, hope, love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

6. Galatians 1:9 “If any one is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be accursed.”

7. Colossians 3:22 “Slaves, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not with eye service, as men pleasers, but in singleness of heart.”

8. Colossians 3:18 “Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.”

9. 1 Corinthians 14:35 “It is shameful for a woman to speak in church.”

10. Tarsus

13. Paul wrote his letters during the early oral phase of Christianity. There was not yet one authoritative version of the Jesus story.

14. Scripture? Paul never claimed his writings were equal to scripture. When Paul talks about scripture he is referring to the Torah, not his own letters.

15. A Question What is the place of the mind in the study of the scriptures of the world?

16. The Gospel of Grace Through Paul’s understanding of Christ he came to experience a freedom from condemnation that he called grace.

17. Who is Jesus for Paul? Jesus reveals what God is like and Jesus reveals that God is love.

18. Summary If evil could be defeated then this would bring freedom from fear. This would release the great energy of creativity and love.