Doug Shaver

There is none. It is all pure speculation.

As for his conversion, we know nothing about it. Paul says nothing about it in his own writings, and those who think the book of Acts contains reliable history are simply swallowing 18 centuries of Christian dogma.

Doug Shaver

You seem to assume that Acts gives an accurate account of Paul's conversion. Would you like to try to defend that assumption?

aa5874

Whether Acts is believed is NOT really the issue.

The Pauline conversion in Acts does NOT resemble the symptoms of an epileptic attack.

After the BRIGHT lights "Paul" was blinded for THREE days in the conversion story found in Acts .

Acts 9
It was the BRIGHT LIGHT not epilepsy in Acts.

Toto

Check the link.

Acts 9
Acts 22
Acts 26 - a briefer account, possibly reconcilable.

aa5874

Regardless of the contradictions there is ZERO hint that Saul/Paul had epilepsy in Acts.

In Acts, it is HINTED or DECLARED that Saul/Paul HEARD from the resurrected Jesus AFTER there was some kind of BRIGHT LIGHT after which Saul/Paul was BLIND for THREE days.

There is NO hint AT all in Acts that Saul/Paul was epileptic and no claim that he suffered from EPILEPTIC SEIZURES in the Entire NT.

In the NT, it would appear "Paul" was ACCUSED of LYING but NEVER accused of having epileptic Seizures.

In fact, "Paul" ADMITTED that he would be a LIAR if the DEAD RISE NOT.

In fact, the DEAD RISE NOT.

In fact, "Paul" did NOT see the resurrected Jesus he was BLIND at the time in Acts 9.

In the NT, "Paul" was a LIAR not epileptic.

James Brown

I've heard way too many theories about what Paul's 'thorn in the flesh' really was to give any one of them much credence.

One thing it certainly does suggest is that Paul was a obscure and difficult-to-interpret writer, which gives me pause when others explain to me what he really meant in many other passages.

aspronot

As someone afflicted by temporal lobe epilepsy for a number of years, with several sets of episodes before going on medication, I find the neurological challenge points listed above rather curious. The vision changes I experienced ranged from just a very short duration fading away of light to the loss of one or two seconds of sight (preceded by waking dreams/sounds) followed by quick restoration of vision. With each episode I was fully aware of what had just happened (no memory loss apart from the visions themselves which only left an impression - the actual vision can't be recalled in any detail). I've never had convulsions.

My visions weren't religious in nature, but I could certainly reconcile them with the conversion material written by Paul. (No-one else would have seen or heard anything, of course).

aa5874

Well, you have SERIOUSLY CONTRADICTED yourself in your bid to support a most fictitious writing called Acts of the Apostles.

You claim that in your case "the actual vision can't be recalled in any detail" yet in Acts "Paul" was able to repeat details of a conversation with Jesus about "KICKING PRICKS".

Please read the story in Acts.

You put forward a most ridiculous notion of "temporal lobe epilepsy" not taking into account that "Paul's" TRAVELLING companions would have also SUFFERED from "temporal lobe epilepsy" at EXACTLY the same time and for the EXACT same duration.

Examine Acts 9
Please, please, please.

The Pauline writings and Acts of the Apostles are a Pack of lies for the Glory of the Roman Church.

Solo

Paul most likely suffered from acute bipolar disorder (BPD), with complex partial seizures, which closely resemble those of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Some forms of BPD aggravated by anxiety have similar effects to TLE, including depressive psychosis which follows euphoric peaks. Paul's "thorn in the flesh" (2 Cr 12:7) refers to the cyclical dysthymia bipolars experience after prolonged ecstasies. One of the reasons why BPD would be a preferable is that Paul's condition seems to have had a sudden onset in adult life (2 Cr 12:2). Paul also said (in Phl 3:8) that he consider 'the loss' of all things ( i.e. normal life) he suffered for the knowledge of Christ a fair deal, and now counts them as worthless 'shit'. To a therapist this would indicate that Paul had prolonged severe depressions prior to his Christ experience, ie. could not form a positive (or at least an emotionally balanced) memory of his previous life.

As far as the Acts story of Saul's encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, it is most probably a legend. From health perspective, the ambush by Jesus in Acts is an account of an acutely dysphoric experience, a paralysing attack which leaves Paul temporarily blind, and unable to feed or hydrate himself. Paul's own account of 'a man in Christ' in 2 Cor 12:2-9 indicates initially a heavenly, blissful 'tripping' ('he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter') which only later becomes traumatic. Gal 1:15 confirms the onset was euphoric : ' It pleased God' to introduce Paul to his 'son', and call Paul by his 'grace'. It certainly does not sound like Jesus getting 'even-Stephen' with him, knocking him rudely to the ground as the first thing of getting acquainted with the risen son of a loving God. The story has all the markings of Luke's own refined sadistic relish in telling stories of divine justice exhibited also in the parable of Lazarus (Lk 16:20-31), and the story of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-10).

As for verification, unfortunately, noone can give you a definitive answer. It has been argued against my theory (Paul was bipolar with seizures) that two doctors today often do not agree on the diagnosis of a patient standing in front of them, how could we even begin to assess someone who has been dead for 2000 years. My answer to that would be, it's not necessarily a medical diagnosis as it is a literary investigation. Paul could have been an epileptic but I think when doctors read Paul's letters and take Acts with a pound of salt, many of them would come to conclusions similar to mine.

Best,
Jiri

aa5874

What source of antiquity support such a diagnosis?

In Acts 9, may I remind you, ALL the Travelling Companion of "Paul" also heard the voice but saw no-one.

Acts 9 We have a FICTION story, a MYTH fable in Acts 9, NOT an episode of epilepsy.

Epilepsy is NOT CONTAGIOUS.

Acts of the Apostles and the Pauline writings are a PACK of LIES for the Glory of the Roman Church.