Bible Study - July 6, 2008

On July 6, 2008, the members of the Fatima Shrine Bible Study under the direction of Father Peter Calabrese, CRSP were able to continue their study of the works of Saint Paul. Father Peter continued with his excellent introduction into the writings and charism of St. Paul. Fr. Peter noted that St. Paul can be difficult for us to understand at times.

There are two basic fonts of information on Saint Paul. These are contained in his letters and accounts in the Acts of the Apostles. The letters of St. Paul are excellent material both for study and for contemplation. We can proceed from the Acts of the Apostles and go into the Letters of St. Paul. The Acts are written as the history of salvation and more authenticity is given to the Letters of St. Paul. A great deal of continuity is contained within the letters of St. Paul.

Father Peter suggested using the map in our Bibles to help us in viewing the various journeys of St. Paul in his work as a missionary. The first missionary journey of St. Paul was to Antioch and Syria. St. Paul traveled to various synagogues after Jesus had been dead for approximately 13 years. Acts 14 and 16 both gives us excellent summaries of his missionary journeys out of Israel.

In Acts 14, questions are raised concerning whether or not the advent of Christianity will replace the current Jewish law and how much the new Christian faith will have continuity with the Jewish faith.

In Acts 16, St. Paul begins his very extensive writing career during his stay at Ephesus. St. Paul later travels to Rome.