My favorite Bible character by far is Paul. His transformation from Saul to Paul is what makes his story even more appreciated by those who are followers of Christ. He went from killing Christians to writing most of the New Testament. God knew he had to intervene with Saul. He did so on his way to Damascus. Transformation is the complete change in someone’s character. Transformations are not always good, but in Paul’s case, his life would change forever for the better. His story would last for thousands of years convicting others to turn from their sinful ways and ultimately to Christ. Paul’s presence at the stoning of Stephen, his encounter with God on the road to Damascus, and the complete abandonment of his old life all contributed to his …show more content…
Saul began his career at an early age. He was said to be present at the stoning of Stephen. Although he is mentioned briefly and there is not much said other than his attendance, that incident was the start for him. “57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.” (New International Version Acts 8:57-58) Truthfully, I do not know the importance of his attendance, however the next verse is where Stephen prays, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” (New International Version Acts 8:59) Since Saul was in attendance, this prayer is for him, it covers him as well. After this event, Paul begins the persecution of the church. The Bible says he went from house to house dragging out both men and women and throwing them in prison. …show more content…
He was sent to imprison all those who professed their belief in God. On his way there, he had an incredible interaction with God that changed the trajectory of his life completely. In Act 9 it says, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” (New International Version, Acts 9:5,6) While many were still very afraid of Saul, some also didn’t believe this conversion was genuine. Even the disciples did not want to be around him because of the atrocities he had committed. This is something that Paul would always have to deal with. Many times when Christians convert, they go through a similar experience. People choose to remember what has happened in the past. It’s hard for them to look beyond what once was instead of what one has become, what God has called them to
In “Paul’s Case” by Willa Cather, the story begins with a tense atmosphere as a young 16 year-old boy, named Paul, enters the principal’s office, who seems to have every intention to cause a reaction among his teachers, who made the complaint about Paul’s ongoing bad behavior at school. He entered with an attitude opposite of what he should have when getting questioned by the principal of Pittsburg High School, to account for his various misdemeanors. His demeanor is shown in the following quote:
It is evident that Saul had found his escape in hockey since he was first introduced to the game. He mentions that "[a]t night in the dormitory...I would get out of bed and stand in the aisle...mimic the motion of stickhandling. I pictured myself...with the puck tucked...on the blade of my stick...I'd stand there, arms held high...and I would not feel lonely or afraid, deserted or abandoned..." (Wagamese 62) It is clear to see that Saul is already beginning to feel less alone even though he has not started to play on the ice yet. He finds comfort within the concept and idea of the game that helps to make the horrific experiences at St Jerome's bearable and somewhat pleasant. The game transports him to a different time and place that pushes all of the negativity in his mind
Analysis of Paul's Case by Willa Cather. Willa Cather’s “Paul’s Case” is a story about a young 16 year-old man, Paul, who is motherless and alienated. Paul’s lack of maternal care has led to his alienation. He searches for the aesthetics in life that he doesn’t get from his yellow wallpaper in his house and his detached, overpowering father figure in his life. Paul doesn’t have any interests in school and his only happiness is in working at Carnegie Hall and dreams of one day living the luxurious life in New York City.
The historical cultural situation of the writer and his audience is that in this time Paul is preaching to Ephesus, and that the audience are mostly gentiles. Pauls original name was Saul, and he was an apostle who spoke the Gospel of God, to the 1st century audience/world. The author is much undeinfed, but most have found that it can be paul, and little say it was a follower of paul. His background was personally chosen by God. Gods best messeng...
In 1 Samuel 28: 1-25 Yahweh guides Saul to his death because he has outright deceived and disobeyed God. This passage sets an example to obey Yahweh; otherwise he will inflict punishment upon the disobedient. It portrays that Yahweh's love, power, and covenant should never be taken for granted. Saul is, in essence, a pawn in an overall lesson and story by God. It is quite possible that the disobedience of God and punishment inflicted upon him was his very fate that only God could control.
According to Dr. Derek W. H. Thomas, "The conversion of Saul of Tarsus must surely rank among one of the most significant events, not just in church history but also–certainly that–but in world history." Saul persecuted Christians and was an eyewitn...
... the man. He worked hard for his master and took pride in his work, even though he was forced to be there. He also refused to betray his master, regardless of temptation. In the subsequent chapters he did his best to help people with his gift, while always giving credit to God. Joseph is an outstanding protagonist.
Virtually all scholars accept the Apostle Paul as the author of Philemon. Paul, who was formally called Saul prior to his work as an Apostle, was born in the city of Tarsus, the Capital of ancient Cilicia. Tarsus was declared a free city by Rome, thus making Paul a Roman citizen. He was Jewish by blood from the tribe of Benjamin. Paul studied under the teaching and influence of the rabbi Gamaliel and became a Pharisee. As a Pharisee, Paul possessed a rigid adherence to the letter of the law and strongly opposed and fought against Christianity. Paul was converted to Christianity by Jesus on a persecution journey to Damascus in AD 33. After his conversion, Paul became a missionary to the Gentile world. He is believed to have written at least thirteen books of the New Testament before his death in AD 67-68.
Paul's Case by Willa Cather shows the world through the eyes of Paul, a boy's who's naive view of a good life leads to a tragic fate. Throughout the story, the reader is shown the life of Paul a snobby kid who believes he is above everyone else. Readers are shown his views of life and given quite a bit of information about Paul's character. By giving details about Pauls character through his thoughts, actions, words, and others' thoughts about him, readers are able to have an in depth view of his character and understand why he ultimately decides to take his own life.
Paul believes that he was tricked into joining the army and fighting in the war. This makes him very bitter towards the people who lied to him. This is why he lost his respect and trust towards the society. Teachers and parents were the big catalysts for the ki...
A short story is designed to capture the reader's attention by telling a well thought-out fictional tale in only a few scenes. A good example is "Paul's Case" by Willa Cather. "Paul's Case" is a very interesting story written around the 1900's about a young man's last few months of life. This essay will explain in deeper detail Paul's reasons on why he leaves home, what are his driving forces, what are his motivations, and why he kill himself.
Pauls's Case is the story of a young man who struggles with his identity. Paul feels that he knows where he belongs, but his family and teachers refuse to support his choices. In the middle of Paul's Case, there is a switch in narration. At this point, the reader can associate with Paul and his problems. Paul struggles with both internal and external conflicts, causing him to be quite a puzzling character. From tha perspective of his family and teachers, Paul seems abnormal. From his perspective, however, he seems misunderstood.
The setting of the short story “Paul’s Case” is clear and appropriate for the story. This is because Paul's feelings in the story happen to have a direct connection to the setting of the story. The East Coast of the United States is where the story takes place. From Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Newark, New Jersey, and then on to New York, New York, the exact setting differs throughout the story. “…the dull dawn was beginning to show grey when the engine whistled a mile out of Newark” (Cather). At this point in the story, the main character, Paul, is on board a train which has departed from his hometown of Pittsburgh en route to the Jersey City Station. From there, he plans to make his way to the glamorous New York City, a city that he has always dreamed about visiting. As Paul reads the Pittsburgh paper on the morning of his eighth day in New York, he figures out that his dad is coming for him. “The rumour had reached Pittsburgh that the boy had been seen in a New York hotel, and his father had gone East to find him and bring him home” (Cather). Paul’s father is pursuing him because Paul had left home over a week ago and his father, only now, knows where Paul has run off to. The setting has a direct correlation to the state of Paul’s mind. For example, in a gloomy Pittsburgh, Paul tries anything and everything to get out of the life he is living, and escapes to the glamour and high-class life of New York. “…the New York scenes are heavily ironic…as [Paul] luxuriates in the Waldorf” (Wasserman). He does this in an attempt to find a better life for himself and to make himself, ultimately, happy.
In "Paul's Case" by Willa Cather, a young man named Paul is unhappy with his home and school life. He is happiest when he is at Carnegie Hall, where he works as an usher. When he is not physically at Carnegie Hall, his thoughts remain there causing his school work to suffer. When his father finds out about his problems in school he has Paul banned from Carnegie Hall, taken out of school, and put to work. One day, while on his way to make the company's deposit, Paul decides to take some of the money and go to New York to experience the life he feels he was destined for. Unable to cope with the punishment for taking the money he commits suicide. The central idea in this story is that it takes patience and perseverance to accomplish your dreams, and you should not give up on them.
Today Christians see Christ somewhat through the prism of Paul's teaching. My dear follower, Luke, would write one of the Gospels as well as the Book of Acts. My life was vitally shaped by a dramatic meeting with Christ on the Road to Demascus and it was this drama, coupled with his fervor that would mold Christianity for the next two Millenia.