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In the study of the New Testament it is fashionable to play Paul off against Jesus, and to make him responsible for problems which have beset the Christian movement down through the centuries. Although the contrast between Jesus and Paul can be overdone, it is quite evident, at least to me, when I hear and compare the two lessons for today.

Paul posits an opposition between flesh and spirit and promises life to his readers if only they will mortiify the deeds of the body through the spirit (Romans 8:12-13). This warfare against the body was carried out by Paul himself. When he writes, "I pommel my body and subdue it" (1 Corinthians 9:27), he is starting the tradition of bodily mortification which was carried out with savage intensity throughout the history of Christian asceticism.

But ascetics are not the only ones to have been affected by Paul’s attitude. The demonization of the body has led to untold suffering on the part of persons who have been punished or humiliated because of bodily functions or desires that were entirely natural.

Morever, since every extreme attitude sooner or later leads to the opposite extreme, Paul’s hostility to the body is responsible in part for the unbridled materialism which is prevalent in contemporary culture, where bodily satisfaction is made the supreme goal of human existence.

In contrast to Paul’s opposition between body and spirit, we find, in the gospel, an affirmation of the natural interconnection between inner and outer: "every good tree bringeth forth good fruit" (Matthew 7:17). Inner goodness and good deeds are intrinsically related: the latter flow naturally from the former. The false prophets who come in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravening wolves are betrayed by their deeds (verses 15-16), which, in the context of Matthew’s gospel, probably means the division and polarization of the Christian community.

Although I do not hold Paul accountable for all our problems, I do believe that the "either-or" opposition which is so notable in his writings has complicated our efforts to attain wholeness. In Paul we find not only "body or spirit" but also "faith or works," "law or gospel," "grace or free will," and the list could probably be extended.

Knowledge of Eastern religions has made us aware of the importance of balance for human wholeness, balance between energies which are contrasting but not necessarily opposed. If we oppose forces which are potentially complementary, then we are responsible for the psychic and physical harm which results.

As human beings, we are both body and spirit. St. Francis of Assisi referred to his body as "brother ass." You beat an ass, just as Paul pommeled his own body. But cruelty to ourselves is every bit as destructive as cruelty to others. Jesus admonishes us to love our neighbor as ourselves (Mark 12:31 = Leviticus 19:18). The popular best-seller, Our Bodies, Ourselves reminds us that love of self means love of the body. Unless the body is our friend, we cannot bring forth the good works which Jesus asks of us.

July 21, 2002

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