Mark Strom: Paul and the Open Heart

Following three remarkable talks by Professor Edwin Judge, Mark has been tracing Paul’s role in three great shifts in western thought and life: from Closed Cosmos to Open Cosmos, from Closed Society to Open Society, and from Closed Heart to Open Heart. In this last session, Mark will focus on how Paul’s translation of the gospel ends the obligation to the law and the grip of morality, religion, and superstition. On the back of his implicit critiques of dualism (Closed Cosmos) rank and status (Closed Society), Paul built an unprecedented vision of every person as unique, equal, and gifted. What emerges is a renewed sense of calling as an empowered agency within the world.