Isaac Asimov was very clear when declaring that he was not a theist, yet acknowledged that there are matters that defy human reasoning, requiring the witness of a bizarre phenomenon to question all that they had learned. Asimov also demonstrated a slick sense of humour in his written works entertaining, and revealing his determination to introduce his audiences to the prospect that we do not know it all, and that with the assistance of life's lessons we are able to learn all that is worth our time learning.
Saul of Tarsus was well educated, trained by one of Israel's most celebrated teachers, Gamaliel. Saul excelled in his learning advancing faster than others. In today's academia it could be argued that Saul was easily worthy of the accolade PhD.
I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers
~ Galatians 1:14
Blinded by a supernatural light on that fateful journey to Damascus, Saul would soon learn that the restoration of his sight, thanks to the on hands healing of Gamaliel would turn his world upside down. Saul of Tarsus ceased to be the holier than thou academic, preaching the laws of Moses to those he considered beneath him.
Saul had participated in the persecution of the followers of the growing Nazarene movement. This brought him into conflict with the revered teacher Gamaliel, whose views were more understanding than Paul's. Gamaliel is said to have advised the Sanhedrin to leave the Jesus movement alone.
Saul's dilemma was exacerbaed by the unwillingness of the Nazarenes to trust him, and the response of many Jews who accused him of being a traitor to Orthodox Judaism.
Paul's conversion experience would provide him with the growing awareness that his life was being led by God's Spirit, guiding him out of his earlier beliefs that his academic achievements were sufficient to invite God's approval of his teaching methods. The Holy Spirit had other plans for Paul of Tarsus, becoming the missionary to the Gentiles.
Paul would soon begin understanding that all he had learned during his training years would be dispensed with, replaced by his tutorials under the leadership of God's Spirit. Paul also learned walking the road of hard knocks that humility is a great leveller, enabling the student of life's tutorials to respect all who enter our life. Paul, the great teacher of the Laws of Moses, had come to terms with his growing awareness that he was as much a student, as were those who chose to listen to his words.
Paul says as much:
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” Because we are justified by God, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus”
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