Description
In the Book of Acts, the Apostle Paul (previously, Saul) relates his conversion experience on the road to Damascus three different times (an interesting technique, for sure, if you’re thinking about Luke as a storyteller). Each time he relates the story, it changes a bit—details are added or omitted; well, it’s interesting. Some of you are familiar with the late-sixteenth-century painter Caravaggio, who also depicted Paul’s conversion in two, different paintings. Here’s what to do for this task: First, create a doc in which to respond to the steps below. Step One— Read each account of Paul’s (Saul’s) conversion ( Acts 9:1-18; 22:6-16; and 26:12-18); pay attention to the contexts in which each account is narrated. Identify several significant points of difference between these tellings and retellings. If you need some help, here’s a popular-level but solid article that compares the conversion accounts. And here’s an article that’s super interesting! Step Two— Compare and contrast the paintings below by Caravaggio. In 150 to 250 words, describe similarities and differences. What, in your opinion, is communicated by each painting? (What is the artist telling us about Paul’s conversion in each painting?) And why do you think Caravaggio painted two different scenes of Paul’s conversion? If you need help, here’s a video that sheds some light. And here’s an article for the extra diligent! Step Three—Respond: In 100-ish words, why do you think Luke has Paul recount his conversion three times? And what sense do you make of the differences in his telling? Is there a discernable intensification with each telling? What changes and why? Yes, this assignment calls for both analytical and abstract thinking. Do your best, traveler! -Caravaggio, The Conversion of St. Paul, 1600 https://bb.oc.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-957936-dt-content-rid-5722346_1/xid-5722346_1 – Caravaggio, Conversion on the Way to Damascus, 1600 https://bb.oc.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-957937-dt-content-rid-5722351_1/xid-5722351_1