Reply #25: Paul did a James Baker on the Jerusalem group. Paul likely had [View All]

[saltpoint]

some serious connections around the empire.

If you haven't already, maybe check out THE LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST, a fine novel by Nikos Kazantzakis (and/or the film by the same name by Martin Scorcese). Paul's character in particular is interesting.

In a late scene in the novel, Paul / Saul speaks to Mary Magdalene:

"I too want to conquer the world. I go down to the ports, see the ships leaving, and my heart burns. I want to reach the ends of the earth, but not as a beggarly slave of a Jew: no, as a king, with my sword! But how? It's impossible. I feel so wretched I want to kill myself. In the meantime I find relief by killing others."

Magdalene tells him:

"I want to reveal to you where (Jesus) is. I want the two of you to meet. He is all sweetness; you all fire. Together, you will conquer the world. But I don't trust you; no, I don't trust you, Saul -- and that's why I'm crying."