The fact that Christianity is a major world religion today and not merely a footnote in history owes a great deal to the apostle Paul. The so-called apostle to the Gentiles, this Jew, born a Roman citizen, had the novel idea to spread Christianity not just to other Hebrews, but to the rest of the people of the Roman Empire.
As a young man, Paul was an avid persecutor of the Christians, even holding the coats for those participating in stoning St. Stephen to death. A profound change occurred in Paul, however, as he journeyed to the city of Damascus, intent on further helping to stamp out the Christian faith. Acts 9:1-21 describes how “…suddenly a light from heaven flashed about him.” He fell to the ground and heard the voice of Jesus asking: “…why do you persecute me?” He subsequently made a profound conversion. From this day on, Paul devoted his life to proselytizing for Christianity.
Paul himself makes reference to some type of physical ailment, he calls “a thorn in the flesh” (II Corinthians 12:7) though this is not otherwise identified. There has been speculation as to what medical cause could have resulted in Paul’s sudden conversion en route to Damascus and what his “thorn in the flesh” might have been.
Some have hypothesized a stroke, but this seems unlikely as the apostle was only a young man at this time and he appears to have stayed in reasonable health for thirty years after his conversion. Surely a predisposition to stroke would have appeared later in life and would have caused some significant disability over a 30- year period.
Migraine is commonly given as an explanation for Paul’s experience en route to Damascus, but hearing voices would be a very unlikely symptom of migraine. Most migraineurs, though, would find the characterization “a thorn in the flesh” quite descriptive. Other causes postulated for Paul’s symptoms include various psychiatric disorders, eye ailments such as retinal detachment, and even being hit by lightening. These all, however, fail to take into consideration another characteristic of St. Paul, his hypo-sexuality or lack of sex drive.
In I Corinthians 7:1-9 Paul makes it clear that he has only an academic appreciation of the human sexuality. He asserts that while abstinence such as he practices is best, “…it is better to marry than to burn with passion.”
There is one ailment, however, which neatly explains all of Paul’s symptoms: temporal lobe epilepsy. Seizures in this area can be associated with a feeling of religious ecstasy, accompanied by visual and auditory hallucinations. An initial seizure would be a profound experience in one as devout as Paul and could certainly result in an about-face in religious beliefs. In addition, in the February 25, 1984 edition of Lancet, Spark, Wills and Royal describe hypo-sexuality in ll of 16 men with temporal lobe epilepsy, tying Paul’s symptoms together nicely.
Temporal lobe epilepsy can manifest in different ways at different times and might be described as “a thorn in the side” if frequent and tending to generalize to “grand mal” or tonic-clonic fits.
Perhaps a seizure disorder was God’s way of conscripting Paul into his service. Whatever the reason, Paul went on to be the most effective public relations tool for the fledgling Christian religion. While others had aimed their attempts at conversion primarily to other Jews, Paul quickly became disillusioned with this focus. During his three famous missionary journeys he met with almost universal hostility from most members of local Jewish communities, precisely those to whom he initially wished to spread the word of Jesus.
Paul thus decided to start preaching to the Gentiles, a source of a controversy among fellow Hebrew-Christians. Two primary issues arose over the conversion of Gentiles. Many Hebrew-Christians felt new members should have to undergo circumcision, something uncircumcised adult Gentiles were loathe to consider. Hebrew dietary laws or kashruth were also not exactly “kosher” with non-Jews. Paul dispensed with the requirement for circumcision and while not requiring adherence to kashruth, he suggested that Gentiles attempt to avoid offending those who did adhere to these rules.
Paul’s primarily Greek audience was fertile soil for his teachings and he soon had active churches in Antioch, Corinth, Ephesus, Thessalonica, Philippi and other cities. Paul’s Roman citizenship proved to be a potent tool in his missions. Only a small minority of residents of the empire held this coveted status.
Local magistrates were often harsh with those perceived to be trouble-makers, and contention followed wherever the apostle visited. For example, the city of Ephesus had a large temple to the goddess Diana. Silver workers made a good living casting images of the goddess and her temple for pilgrims. Feeling their trade threatened, the silversmiths, led by a Greek named Demetrius, started a riot.
But Paul was treated with kid gloves and allowed to leave the city, no doubt because imprisoning or punishing a Roman citizen can result in harsh punishment to an official if it is found to be without basis. Since any Roman citizen could appeal to the emperor for justice, an official could find himself being hauled off to Rome and asked to justify his actions. Failure to do so could result in a one-way trip to the arena.
On another occasion in the city of Philippi, Paul was charged with exorcising the demon from a slave girl with powers of divination. Since her talent for prognostication also fled with the demon, the owner lost a good source of income and had the magistrates flog and throw Paul into prison. When they found out that their prisoner was a citizen of Rome the officials came humbly to the prison and begged him to leave the city quietly. Yet again, Paul’s citizenship allowed him to continue his missionary work.
Ultimately, however, it was Paul’s citizenship which may have proved his undoing. Returning to Jerusalem he was charged and brought before the Sanhedrin the senate of Jerusalem, which consisted of both Pharisees, who believed in resurrection, and Sadducees, who didn’t. Cleverly playing on his heritage from a powerful Pharisee family he played these groups against one another until a violent dispute broke out.
Paul was subsequently held in custody by the Roman’s for two years. The governor Festus proposed to have him tried and Paul, fearing hostile witnesses in Jerusalem, requested judgment by the emperor in Rome. Held under house arrest in Rome for two years, Paul subsequently was allowed to travel to Spain, Crete, Macedonia and Crete. He returned to Rome and was executed either in 64 or 65 ACE after a missionary career spanning over 30 years and most of an empire. The emperor at that time was not likely to give a Christian a favorable hearing. His name was Nero.
Though Paul was gone, the seeds he had sown would bear fruit 300 years later when Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire. This would never have occurred if Paul had not had the foresight to include the Gentiles in his vision of Christianity. And Paul would likely never have done so if he had not suffered from a seizure disorder.
References
1. Harper Study Bible, Revised Standard Version
2. The Bible as Literature: The New Testament, Barnes and Noble Books, Second Edition 1968.
3. Lancet, Feb. 25, 1984;1(8374):413-7
Photo Credits
A repository of ancient sacred texts on the shore of the Sea of Galilee © George Burden
The River Jordan near its outlet from the Sea of Galilee © George Burden
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre — the altar over the site of the Crucifixion © George Burden
Excavated portion of Old Jerusalem from St. Paul’s time © George Burden
I have had epilepsy for 15+ years and I am a Christian who studies apologetics, apologetics is simply a defense of the faith, and I found this article to be…well, I certainly wouldn’t want to defend your theory in a debate, and your theory does not explain a lot of things, such as:
1. If you say the apostle Paul had epilepsy because of his vision, would you say all of the apostles had epilepsy because they saw Jesus ascending up into the clouds?
2. If you say the apostle Paul had a vision because of his epilepsy, would you say the apostle John had a vision as well? (Read the book of Revelation)
3. If you say the apostle Paul had a vision because of his epilepsy, would you say Noah, Job, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, the prophet Eli, Samuel, Elijah, Elisha, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Daniel, every Old Testament prophet, the pagan king Nebuchadnezzar, had epilepsy? Using your standards I think we can make a case that they did. And you can make the case that the apostles Peter, John and James and epilepsy because of when they were on the mount of transfiguration. (They saw bright lights, and they claimed to hear the voice of God and they claimed they saw Moses and Elijah)
4. Using the standards you give for Paul, couldn’t you say Jesus had epilepsy?
You said, “Though Paul was gone, the seeds he had sown would bear fruit 300 years later when Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire. This would never have occurred if Paul had not had the foresight to include the Gentiles in his vision of Christianity. And Paul would likely never have done so if he had not suffered from a seizure disorder.”
So…let me get this straight, you honestly are saying that people were willing to be beaten, stoned to death, crucified (which was one of the worst ways to die) because the apostle Paul had epilepsy? That is worthy of a satirical article, but not a serious article. We have accounts of people singing while they were being crucified, singing while they were being burned alive; and what about accounts of people being healed of blindness, illness, etc.
Here’s a serious question for you, would you be willing to defend your theory in a debate?
Connor, well said. I actually don’t have to response now except to say one more thing.
Mr. Author – The thorn in the side didn’t have to do with a medical condition which was responsible for Paul’s conversion. The thorn in the side may have been a literal ailment, but it serves to talk of how many Christians may have something that is a “constant nagging” that could be physical or more likely physiological which may make it more difficult to live out the life God called them for. I suspect you will never respond – but – hey.. why not.
Sorry if I offended anyone but if God is omnipotent why couldn’t he use an actual physical ailment to get his message to Paul. It reminds of the story of the missionary who fell in the river and as he was swept towards the falls was offered rescue by a man with a rope on the shore, a boat and and helicopter but declined because he “knew” that God would save him He was swept over the falls and drowned. In heaven he asked the Lord why he hadn’t saved him. God replied, “I sent you a rope, a boat and a helicopter…” Does God always have to act through supernatural means? I think not.
Mr. Burden said, “Sorry if I offended anyone” I wasn’t offended. “but if God is omnipotent why couldn’t he use an actual physical ailment to get his message to Paul.” It’s not really a matter of what He could have done, it is a matter of what He did. ” It reminds of the story of the missionary who fell in the river and as he was swept towards the falls was offered rescue by a man with a rope on the shore, a boat and and helicopter but declined because he “knew” that God would save him He was swept over the falls and drowned. In heaven he asked the Lord why he hadn’t saved him. God replied, “I sent you a rope, a boat and a helicopter…”
This is actually a really bad analogy because…well the analogy really isn’t related to your assertions. “Does God always have to act through supernatural means? I think not.” No one is saying that that He always uses supernatural means. However I would like you you address my four questions that I brought to you in my first comment. How about this, to make it easier on you, could you answer question number 3. and would you be willing to take your theory to the debate arena? Thank you.
First of all I should humbly point out that I haven’t been Mr. Burden since I received my doctorate. Having said that, it wasn’t in theology. As to your question 3, I have no idea whether these Old Testament prophets suffered from epilepsy or any other medical ailments as there is not enough documentation for me to propose a reasonable hypothesis.. Some people think Ezekiel saw a UFO and they would argue that the prophets were speaking with aliens. It is a fact that there is a portion of the brain that when stimulated gives a feeling of religious enlightenment and ecstasy. Perhaps this is the manner in which God chose to communicate with Paul. Whatever the method it resulted in Christianity finding a much wider audience than it would have otherwise.
I would then to agree because I am a temporal lobe Epileptic myself and I have seen and so-called spoken to people long dead like my Grand Mother and Aunt that died in their Younger Years at my Mother’s Old Home Farm. Also we then to get Aura and the DEJA VUE feelings that are very intense and almost spiritual and this is why I also believe that Moses and Mohammed may had Partial-Complex Epilepsy Also! I believe that Christianity is really Documentary of Jesus according to Paul who really never met the Physical Jesus? but the Spirit of Christ on the way to Damascus also suffering from Guilt after stoning of St-Stephen? which could triggered this Type of Seizure! and the rest is History?
Thanks for sharing your experiences with me Jean-Raymond. It is interesting to find someone who is actually experiencing such phenomena after reading the literature and speculating on such ailments. I wish you luck with your illness…or perhaps you have found some hidden blessings in your condition as did St. Paul.
I wonder when and where Saul met Jesus before his conversion? If they hadn’t met, how did he know what his voice sounded like?
There is no evidence that Saul “knew” what Jesus’ voice sounded like or had met him prior to the conversion. Otherwise, the question in Acts 9:5 would have been pointless. (The word translated “Lord” would have been better translated “Sir,” here.)
This article was really fascinating. I have followed some of Paul’s journeys because we are addicts of the Roman Empire and are pursuing its bounds. We journeyed to Syria (Damascus and Palmyra) and to Turkey (Ephesus). We came across really Early Christian settlements and were amazed at how quickly it spread given the lack of technology in those days.
I had read an account of excavations near Ephesus where a gladiator cemetery was discovered. Forensic analysis of the bones showed that some of these men were quite old when they died and had had long an distinguished careers. They also had extremely strong bones (no osteoporosis at all) and had high levels of Strontium Ranelate. Strontium Ranelate is prescribed in France as a protection against osteoporosis in women. The gladiators diet seems to have been mainly vegetarian rather than heavy on meat protein as one would expect. I went to Ephesus to see the tombstones of these guys. Thanks for reminding me of good times!
Paul, I’m glad you are enjoying my articles. I get pleasure from doing a bit of detective work and making educated guesses about historical figures and events.. Sometimes I get shot down in flames and I never hesitate to thank the individual who sets me straight.
Greetings! Paul’s plan to preach to the Gentiles was not a novel idea, as you say, but rather the command of Christ, known as the Great Commission found in the Book of Matthew.
I am of a strong volition that Paul’s malady was not a literal “thorn in the flesh”, but rather, an accumulation of perils that Paul makes reference to in II Corinthians 11: 23-27, and also in furtherance to your reference of II Corinthians 12: 7, it goes on to say that Paul was buffeted by a messenger of Satan, lest he should be exalted above measure. God allowed this.
Paul was very concerned that he would be given glory by the Churches for which he was responsible, and he could never allow himself to be put in that position as he knew his unworthiness. As he says in II Cor. 11: 30, “If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern my infirmities.” …..or, If I have to glory, I will glory in my weaknesses, which force me toward total dependence on the Lord.
Paul was very concerned about being “exalted above measure” as he knew that all the glory went to God………….the perils he endured is what kept him humble, knowing that God, through His strength would deliver him, and certainly not of himself…………thus the “thorn in the flesh”
Dr. Burden, I find your articles are indeed very interesting. Please keep them coming.
Fascinating article. Here’s my take on an NPR story: http://interested-party.blogspot.com/2010/03/holy-spirit-mental-illness-linked.html
Thanks for the link Larry. Evidently there is a God spot in the the human brain as religion is pervasive in virtually all cultures. I gues we could call it the “other G spot”!
Thanks for your thorough review of Pauline “thorn in the flesh” theories.
There are other plausible explanations for the “thorn in the flesh” that are not physical ailments at all. One theory is that Paul was referring to his opponents who kept vexing his mission … especially his supposed allies back in Jerusalem who insisted on Torah observance. Another theory is sexual angst, that his choice of celibacy and chastity came at an emotional price.
Both of these theories come into play in my recently released historical fiction novel entitled, A Wretched Man, a novel of Paul the apostle. His running conflict with the Jerusalem leadership of the Jesus movement (it is anachronistic to call them Christians–a term applied much later and initially considered derogatory) supplies the ongoing storyline of the novel, and Paul’s sexual angst is at the core of the novel’s characterization of the unmarried man from Tarsus
Click on my name above for more info.
Thanks for your comments Obie. By the way, I hadn’t seem any other references to the hyposexuality accompanying temporal lobe epilepsy in relation to Paul. Have you seen other references that make this connection?