I pretend to no in depth knowledge of early Christianity, but a friend whom I have always found to have a more profound understanding of those times surprised me by informing me that he doubts that Saul’s conversion on the road to Damascus was genuine. I had not met this theory before.
Is it indeed possible that there was a change of policy in Roman ranks, and that Saul’s instruction to persecute the Christians was countermanded? Knowing of Saul’s acting abilities, was he instructed instead to penetrate Christian ranks; to become an informer; to guide the Christians away from being a possible revolutionary threat; and to imbue a spirit of docility and self-sacrifice towards the Romans?
Of course, there is a tradition that Saul/Paul was beheaded in Rome, though no contemporary record of such an event exists. If it took place, could it have been the result of a coup or powershift within the Roman Intelligence Service? One knows of several instances when America’s CIA has turned upon and destroyed a former agent. What do you think? Can we really be certain one way or the other?
Is it indeed possible that there was a change of policy in Roman ranks, and that Saul’s instruction to persecute the Christians was countermanded? Knowing of Saul’s acting abilities, was he instructed instead to penetrate Christian ranks; to become an informer; to guide the Christians away from being a possible revolutionary threat; and to imbue a spirit of docility and self-sacrifice towards the Romans?
Of course, there is a tradition that Saul/Paul was beheaded in Rome, though no contemporary record of such an event exists. If it took place, could it have been the result of a coup or powershift within the Roman Intelligence Service? One knows of several instances when America’s CIA has turned upon and destroyed a former agent. What do you think? Can we really be certain one way or the other?