Transformed zeal

The Oxford online dictionary has definitions for zeal including passion, fire, fondness, devotion, enthusiasm, eagerness, energy, zest and gusto. 

The apostle Paul (previously known as Saul of Tarsus) describes himself as “a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee” (Acts 23: 6), “more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of [my] fathers than many of [my] equals (see Galatians 1: 14).

But Saul of Tarsus was "an ardent young pupil"* of the wise and highly regarded Rabbi Gamaliel, portrayed by Bible scholar Thomas L. Leishman as “of notable broad sympathies”*: broad-minded, moderate, thoughtful, and kindly. He also “did not object to Greek learning”*. 

Like the young Jesus of Nazareth, the young Saul had thorough training in the Hebrew Scriptures. Leishman cautions that although the “tradition of the elders might be of value in some instances…it was inclined to become a list of arbitrary human opinions or regulations”*. Unfortunately, in following these regulations, the young Saul persecuted Christians “with fanatical zeal”*.

Gamaliel may have tried to temper Saul's zeal. 

Readers may remember how he featured in a court case involving the early apostles. It started out like this:

“...by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people” (Acts 5: 12), and
“believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women” (ibid v 14).

This alarming situation had roused the indignation of the high priest and his cohorts, and resulted in the apostles’ imprisonment. But when the soldiers went to transfer the prisoners from the prison to the council chambers, the prison was empty. Instead, they found the erstwhile prisoners in the temple “teaching the people” (v. 25)!

How could anyone not admire Gamaliel’s measured response to the Sanhedrin (the “supreme Jewish council”*) during the trial that followed:

            If this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. (Acts 5: 38-39)

I have had to learn that there are two types of zeal. Here the textbook of Christian Science definition has been helpful:

           The reflected animation of Life, Truth, and Love. Blind enthusiasm, mortal will. (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, p. 599: 4-5)

The early zeal of a well-intentioned but destructive Pharisee-Saul was motivated by mortal will and blind enthusiasm. After his conversion, Apostle-Paul's zeal was tempered and softened to become the humble but earnest reflected animation of Life, Truth, and Love. 

His Christ-directed life-work was transformed from “persecutor” to “staunch adherent of Christianity”*, from tyrant to untiring servant.

 Julie Swannell

*See “Saul the Pharisee” by Thomas Leishman in the February 1975 issue of The Christian Science Journal.