Paul – Sorry to say, Luke, but you’re right. It’s a chapter of my life I don’t much like to talk about, but that was all before I saw the light. Literally. I was heading to Damascus to wipe out the church there when I saw a blinding light.

Luke – What happened?

Paul – I was blinded. What do you think happens when you see a blinding light? Anyway, I heard this voice saying, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” and I’ve never been the same since. Changed my name. Did a 180. Never looked back. Thanks for the call and good luck with that book, Luke.

Phil from Philippi, you are on Paul Live.

Phil – Hey, Paul, long time listener, first time caller. I think I knew you too, way back when, in the Saul days. Weren’t you a big shot in your old life? Why did you turn your back on it?

Paul – Yeah, I was a good Jewish boy, circumcised on the eighth day, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Pharisee, zealous in my persecution of the church, and if you count legalistic righteousness, I was faultless. But compared to knowing Christ, I count that all as so much… well, they won’t let me say that word on the radio. But you know what I mean. I didn’t lose a thing, Phil. I gained everything.

I’ve got Gail from Galatia on 3. Hi, Gail. What’s your question?

Gail – Hi, Paul! So Doris and I were talking the other day and she said that she heard a preacher say that you had to be circumcised to become a Christian, and I says to her, I says, “Not according to Paul.” Cause I listens to you all the time, Paul.

Paul – Thanks for listening, Gail. You stick to your guns. We have got to defeat this whole “circumcision party” nonsense. These flesh choppin’ preachers just burn me up. You know what I wish? I wish they would just cut themselves off entirely and be done with it, if you know what I mea… Oops, I’m getting a dirty look from the producer, I better go on to… Earl from Ephesus, you’re on.

Earl – Paul! Why do you spend your time going out to the Gentiles? Why have you abandoned your people? What’s your problem, pal?

Paul – Back off, Earl. I have not abandoned my people. Whenever I go on the speaking circuit the first place I go is to the local synagogue. I only go to the marketplace after they kick me out of the synagogue, so you can usually find me in the synagogue in the morning and the marketplace in the afternoon. (laughs) No, seriously, Christ came to bridge the gap between God and all of humanity, not just the Jews. He came to bring peace for all, not just some. Christ is fulfilling the promise to Abraham that his descendents would be a blessing to all nations. So are we or not, Earl?

Hey, we’ve got a call from Rome. Rhonda, you’re on.

Rhonda – Hey, Paul! Great to finally get on! So, if God has raised Christ from the dead and rejected the Jews in favor of the Gentiles, can we trust this God? I mean, God seems pretty capricious!

Paul – Well, Rhonda, I take issue with the idea that God has rejected the Jews. Actually, just the opposite. I believe that the covenant that God made with my people is as strong as ever, but that God has brought the Gentiles into the fold, just as was intended from the beginning. Think of God’s love for the Jewish people like an olive tree and the Gentiles, well, they are like a branch that is grafted onto that tree.

Okay, let’s move to Carrie from Colossus. What’s your question, Carrie?

Carrie – Hey, Paul, I’m a new Christian, and I’m really confused about what I’m allowed to eat and drink and what I’m supposed to do on what days and there seems to be so many rules about things to do during certain cycles of the moon and… I’m so confused! Can you help me?

Paul – Whoa, calm down Carrie. I know there are some people out there that like to tell people the right way to live and observe holidays and diets and stuff like that. Carrie, I’m here to tell you that that stuff has nothing to do with being a Christian. Really. That’s all human rules and teachings. The important thing is that in your baptism you died with Christ and now you live for Christ. Keep that first, and everything else will fall into place. Thanks for the call.

Okay, let’s go to Cory in Corinth. You’re on the air, Cory.

Cory – Hey, piggybacking on Carrie’s question, sorta, I got into this argument the other day with someone in my church about the local butchers here in Corinth. See, all the butchers here work through the pagan temples so all the meat they serve has been dedicated to idols in its preparation. So he said we should boycott the meat and become vegetarians. But I said that since Jesus was above any petty deity that it was okay to eat the meat. So which is it?

Paul – Great question. Basically, I agree with you up to a point. We know there is the one God, and so the meat is just meat. Now, here’s the tricky part. I know that and you know that, but what about other people? See, people are superstitious about these things. If they see you eating the meat they might think you were condoning worship of these false gods, and even though that wasn’t the intent, that would be the effect. So, even though you are strong in faith, Cory, and I agree with you, don’t eat the meat.

Okay, we’ve got Thelma on from Thessalonica.

Thelma – So, Paul, Patty and I were wondering when we should expect Jesus to return. I was thinking next Thursday afternoon, sometime between 3:13 and 4:42. Whaddyasay, Paul?

Paul – (laughs) No one knows, Thelma. And the point isn’t to be guessing. Christ comes like a thief in the night. The point is to live a good life – a life that would be pleasing to God. Stick to that Thelma, and then you don’t have to worry about God’s timetable, you’ll always be ready.

Okay, hey! It’s my old pal Titus, on line 2! Titus, how are you? Last time I saw you was in Crete!

Titus – Hey, Paul, yeah, still in Crete, and that’s part of the problem. There are these preachers going around saying that Cretans are fat, lazy, good for nothing liars and cheats. That’s sort of negatively impacting my ministry here, Paul. Help!

Paul – Yeah, well, those are rumors being spread by my old pals from the circumcision crowd again. The problem with those people is that they start out negative so their whole message is negative. They themselves are corrupted so they see everything as corrupted. You tell the folks in Crete that they don’t speak for the whole church. They certainly don’t speak for me. Hope things get better, Titus.

And, hey, it’s old home week! I’ve got Timothy on 1. Heya, Timmy!

Timothy – Hi, Paul. I’ve been having some problems in my own ministry because people tell me I’m too young.

Paul – Tim, don’t let anyone put you down because of your age. Set an example in the way you live, love others, and your faith. You were called to preach, so preach! Don’t doubt God’s calling. Hang in there, Tim.

Well, that’s about all the time we have for Paul Live today. One last thing. Philemon, if you’re listening, Onesimus is safe with me here in the studio. Now, I know he’s your slave and he took off without your leave, and he’s heading back your way. And I know that you will treat him very well. Everyone who’s listening knows you will treat him very well, right? Okay? Nuff said.

Okay, that’s it for today. Keep the faith, everyone.

By Lawrence Lee

Written for United Church of Two Harbors

February 19, 2006

(Based in part on an earlier work, “The Reduced Bible,” by Robb Bruce, Lisa-Marie Centeno, Fuzzy Gerdes, Lawrence Lee, Liz Thelen, and Charlotte VanVactor – Summer, 1992)