The Apostle Paul is one of the most towering figures in early Christianity. But behind the familiar narratives lies a far more complex reality. Who was the historical Paul? And perhaps more importantly, how many different Pauls have been handed down to us through the centuries?

This week, Jordan welcomes Dr. Robyn Faith Walsh to untangle the various Pauline traditions that have shaped our understanding of this enigmatic apostle. From the authentic letters to later attributions, from his claimed persecutions to his mysterious visions of Christ, Dr. Walsh guides us through the evidence and the contradictions. Is Paul really that exceptional, or have we been reading him through the lens of later mythmaking?

👉 Dr. Walsh helps us explore:

–Was Paul's influence on early Christian communities as profound as tradition suggests?

–What did it truly mean for him to "see" Jesus?

–Is the historical Paul really that exceptional?

–Why is Paul baptizing lions?

📚 Reading Recommendations:

"Why Thekla Does Not See Paul: Visual Perception and the Displacement of Erōs in the Acts of Paul and Thekla" by Jennifer Eyl

Rereading of Romans: Justice, Jews, and Gentiles by Stanley Stowers

“The Apostle Paul,” in Ancient Philosophy of Religion: The History of the Western Philosophy of Religion, ed. Graham Oppy and N. N. Trakakis, (Durham: Acumen, 2009), 145-157.

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🎙️ Credits

Guest: Dr. Robyn Faith Walsh

Hosted and edited by Dr. Jordan Jones

Additional contributions by Mary Kathryn Lichty

The Bible & Archaeology podcast is made with support from Amanda Stone

Bible & Archaeology is a University of Iowa production. The views and opinions expressed on Bible & Archaeology belong solely to the individuals who share them. They do not represent the positions of the University of Iowa or the State of Iowa.