Ralph Wood, an Evangelist from Baylor University introduced the topic of Paul’s conversion. Throughout his talk, Wood used visual depictions of Paul’s conversion from the Patristic Era, the Medieval Era, the Renaissance, and the Modern Era. He began his talk with a picture of an icon depicting the martyrs of Christianity. This was a visual introduction to the early life of Paul; before his conversion, Paul (aka Saul) was ordered to round up Christians and often sent them to prison or to their death. Saul considered himself to be the perfect Jew and saw his persecution of Christians as a Jewish duty. Many called the conversion of Paul the greatest Christian miracle, after the Resurrection. As Jesus appears to Paul, He identifies himself not…show more content… Conversion is becoming the person we were created to be and Paul’s conversion was his realization of who he was meant to be.
Thomas Weinandy, a Catholic who studied in Oxford, responded with the reminder that all throughout the New Testament, Paul always begins by telling everyone what he was like before his conversion. Paul points out that Jesus did not appear to him because Paul was a good Jew, but because God’s gift of salvation is a result of His grace and mercy. Salvation does not come because of what someone does but because of God’s love.
Wood’s use of visual representations of Paul’s conversion made this talk that much more interesting. I greatly enjoy art and art analysis, especially when the subject relates back to a story or written word. It was also interesting to hear that some claim that Paul’s conversion was one of the greatest Christian miracles. I had never considered the weighty significance of Paul’s conversion before. Of course, I had learned that Paul was one of the sole leaders of church planting but his conversion was downplayed in favor of his future actions. Paul’s past as Saul was always talked about in passing, yet never explained that his conversion was so drastic. I did not recognize it as such an amazing event as to be rendered in at least three paintings throughout history. Perhaps Paul talked about who he was before his conversion
