Saint Paul

Paul was originally called Saul of Tarsus. He was suddenly converted on the road to Damascus. He saw a blinding white light and fell to the ground spazzing and writhing uncontrollably, even being rendered temporarily blind for several days afterwards by the sheer power of God's vision. (Acts 9) Saul was "a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless." (Philippeans 3:5b-6) He hated Christians and was terribly persecuting them. (Saul was "in hearty agreement" with the stoning of Stephen.) After his conversion Paul became one of the leading evangelists, going on missionary Journeys to the gentiles. Paul wrote 13 books of the Bible: Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus and Philemon.

After his conversion Saint Paul wrote many letters to many different peoples on a wide variety of subjects, including the essential kerygma or preaching thrust of Christianity, and the subservience of women to Man.