Violent and murderous Saul was changed to peaceful and missional Paul by a visitation and revelation of God in Christ. Religion, ideology, philosophy, political theory, economics, sexuality are all potential tools for destruction when sinful human beings are involved. Apart from Divine intervention, renewal, restraint and formation, we are all capable of destructive behavior to ourselves and to others given the right set of circumstances, influence and time. Blood has been spilled since Eden.
Acts 9:1-2:
“Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, 2 and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.”
