The Moment of Crisis, Part 2: Paul (Marsh Chapel), 1958 Feb 9
Thurman, Howard, 1900-1981
In this second installment of The Moment of Crisis, Thurman considers the significance of the experience of crisis in the life of the Apostle Paul. In this lecture, the moment of crisis is defined as the experience through which an individual passes when he is caught in the grip of two forces moving in opposite directions, one force seeking always to maintain the balance, that is the familiar experience, to maintain the status quo, to conserve, to hold the line, to dig in, and the other to go forward, to take a step that has not been taken before, to move into an unexplored area, to change. This was evidenced in the life of Paul who functioned as a member of the Jewish community, yet still had the privileges of a Roman citizen. Similarly, it was on the road to Damascus where the duality of Paul’s identity would come into direct opposition, thus freeing him from his unbelief in Christ. Through his self-sacrifice and devotion, Paul gives additional significance to the cross in the Christian movement.
