Year of St. Paul – 2,000th Birthday
An Important Opportunity for Renewal and Unity
Executive for Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations

Christians throughout the world are observing a very special year to mark the approximate 2000th anniversary of St. Paul’s birth. The Vatican considers this an ecumenical year, as we celebrate the unity in the Good News shared in Paul’s ministry and writings. For Lutherans, Paul’s understanding of Justification became the cornerstone of our theology and Christian life.

In a Pastoral Letter to our Member Churches in Celebration of the Pauline Year: 28 June 2008 – 29 June 2009, Dr. Ishmael Noko, General Secretary of the Lutheran World Federation, wrote: “In calling your attention this year of celebration, I invite you to join in an ecumenical observance which has been first a vision of our brothers and sisters in the Roman Catholic Church… In particular, the Pope (Benedict XVI) has sought to lift up the ecumenical significance of celebrating the Apostle to the Nations, seeking to encourage a ‘humble and sincere search for the complete unity of all parts of the mystical Body of Christ.’ We too live in that hope, and so are happy to join in his prayers for unity. To celebrate with one another, as we also mourn together and yearn for the overcoming of our separations, is one form of recognition of the unity we already share.”

Dr. Noko further shared: “As Lutherans, of course, we have our own history of special devotion to this complex, wise, provocative and elusive figure who is the Apostle Paul. Without attention to the Pauline writings, it is difficult to imagine the Lutheran movement in the Church.”

In this year ahead, we will also be observing the 10th Anniversary of the signing of the significant Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification (JDDJ). Congregational, synodical, seminary, and a churchwide emphasis on an ecumenical study of justification would provide renewal from the biblical study of St. Paul’s letters and a deeper understanding of unity in the faith. Methodists have joined Lutherans and Roman Catholics by signing onto the JDDJ.

Local opportunities for discussing the biblical foundation for the doctrine of justification and the writings of St. Paul would support grassroots ecumenism and be a sign of unity among Christians. The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, local ecumenical Bible studies, and special theological/convocation offerings are some possibilities to celebrate the Pauline Year and advance unity among our ecumenical partners.

Pauline Year – Conflict and Reconciliation: Decade to Overcome Violence

As we lift up the Decade to Overcome Violence, we look at conflict and the need to build bridges of reconciliation. As Christians, we continue to pray for peace and for healing in our world. St. Paul’s life showed a transformation that certainly is a model for change and hope in the midst of conflict, persecution, and suffering.
 

As Saul, he witnessed the stoning and death of Stephen, the first Christian martyr. He persecuted Christians. The high priest in Jerusalem gave him letters to the synagogues in Damascus to bring back Christians for trial. As we know, on the road to Damascus, things changed forever for Saul and for the spread of the gospel. Because of his conversion, Paul preached about Jesus Christ in the synagogues in Damascus and his new calling moved him into the world with a new mission.

St. Paul’s journeys and ministry faced conflict, suffering, persecution, and many dangers. It was certainly not smooth going, as he faced opposition from Jews, pagans, and officials. Tradition has Paul dying (beheaded) on the same day as Peter (crucified). In the midst of conflict in churches and in the world, St. Paul brought a message of reconciliation, justification, and new life.

After one missionary journey where Paul was stoned, he returned to Antioch. It is recorded in Acts (14:27): “When they arrived, they called the church together and related all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith for the Gentiles.” Those doors of faith were opened in the midst of conflict. Those doors of faith are foundational for approaching reconciliation, healing, and hope for the world that God continues to love and redeem.

In opening the Roman Catholic observance of the Pauline year, Pope Benedict encouraged Christians to draw inspiration from the jubilee year dedicated to St. Paul and to imitate the apostle’s courageous missionary efforts. He spoke of the role of faith conquering fear and cited an episode from a difficult period in Paul’s evangelizing. In a vision, God shared with him: “Do not be afraid. Go on speaking, and do not be silent, for I am with you.”

In a world that knows conflict, violence, suffering and need, we do need to continue to speak out in the Name of God and to share God’s word of hope, peace, reconciliation, and new life. The writings of St. Paul provide guidance for living a life together in love, as God intends for all people. We would do well to look at conflict and reconciliation through the eyes of faith as we read the Pauline pages of Scripture.