The conversion of St. Saul

miamited said:

Saul's conversion was of a miraculous nature so that we would have some evidence that he was one that God assigned that we should listen to.

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Right. It wasn't at all. Jesus doesn't blind people. Nobody anywhere lists Paul's blinding as a Miracle.
You've helped make my case.

Michael Collum said:

I traced the conversation back to the OP, and see that scripture was all that was posted. So the above reply is amusing.

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Jesus doesn't blind people. It's just a fact.
Any Berean would reject the claim.
And certainly not have them walk around for days.
And what about repentance? Throw that baby out with the bath water?

Michael Collum said:

I'm having trouble remembering what this was about? (you're replying to a February post of mine, and it is now September)

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That's correct. I don't read the dates on posts. I'm not convinced that the months passed have dated the subject.

Michael Collum said:

So, it was a long time ago, not sure if I'm interested in the discussion topic anymore.

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I have no control over that.
I can only handle actions from my end.

Michael Collum said:

Yeah, me neither. Just thought I'd be upfront since you seemed invested.

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Not at all. I work 10 or so subjects at a time.

miamited said:

Yes, it happened to Saul of Tarsus. I'm not sure what you're trying to infer by asking if such a thing has ever happened to anyone else.

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As a Berean, I check the new letters to see if they match up with the Old Testament and other writings, and set aside what does not. Perhaps support will creep up in other writings. But nothing so far in this case.

hedrick said:

The Anchor Bible commentary say

“Acts 9:18 (Acts of the Apostles (AYBC)): “Something like scales (or films)” is a primitive way of describing the cause of blindness; cf. Tob 2:10; 11:13. Pliny the Elder speaks similarly of squama in the eyes (Naturalis historia 29.8.21).”

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Jesus doesn't blind people.
Its not his method and scores of other passages are devoted to Him bringing light not darkness.


I can see how bird droppings might. They can eat through my cars paint sometimes, depending on the species.

hedrick said:

Paul’s own account is in Gal 1. Interpreters differ on the question of consistency. Is Gal 1 consistent with him going to Ananias? Paul says he didn’t confer with anyone. Acts says he went to Ananias. However the point in Galatians is that Paul didn’t get his Gospel from any other person, so it’s marginally possible that his experience with Ananias didn’t count.

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He was never in the presence of Jesus.
I consider that important in how any Christian should act and apply what they know.
This leaves him unqualified for some things. Paul is not Jesus.

miamited said:

Hi skywriting,

And yet the Scriptures say that he was. I'm not sure I understand your logic that Jesus doesn't blind people. I imagine that's more an emotional truth that you believe because it feels right to you. I doubt seriously that you could prove such a position by the Scriptures.

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I can prove it using the same method that people prove anything is Christian and Biblical.

Starting with the clearest:

Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.



So that really is enough, but here is the short list (about 1/3 of the passages):

John 8:12
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 12:46
I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.

1 John 1:1-10
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

2 Corinthians 4:6
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

John 1:4
In him was life, and the life was the light of men.

John 1:3
All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. (scales?)

2 Corinthians 4:4
In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

John 3:19-20
And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.

John 1:9
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

John 1:5
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Matthew 4:16
The people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.”

Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Psalm 36:9
For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light.

Revelation 22:5
And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.

1 John 1:7
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

1 John 1:6
If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.

1 John 1:6-7
If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.