Paul and Thecla

"he was a man of middling size, and his hair was scanty, and his legs were a little crooked, and his knees were projecting, and he had large eyes and his eyebrows met, and his nose was somewhat long, and he was full of grace and mercy; at one time he seemed like a man, and at another time he seemed like an angel."

I find this painting of Paul extremely kind considering the description given above which makes him seem none to appealing and perhaps and little overly common. It would appear that, based on the extreme lack of one-eyebrowed paintings of Paul floating around the web, the church has greatly ignored the tale of Paul and Thecla. This is not entirely surprising to me, as Paul and Thecla are not listed in the King James-based apocrypha I have at home. Although it may have been listed in earlier versions, it seems that it was placed to the side rather early on.


 Professor Sexson requested that we contemplate the impact this work would have had if it were included with the cannonical Biblical texts. My reaction, based primarily in feminist-thought, is somewhat mixed. Thecla provides a strong female character of power. She is granted by God (or thus we would believe had this been included in the Bible) the authority to baptize herself - an act that is generally reserved for pastors, priests, or other men of God. She also shows the ability to restrain herself to extreme chastity with no apparent reservation or struggle. This attitude greatly complements Paul's own cry for chastity, and provides a its necessary female counterpart. It is also significant that, although men are present, they contribute little to the plot and are there only as stepping-stones for further female action. Paul repeatedly fails to make the expected "knight in shining armor" appearance and one is reminded more of the story of "A Pagan Hero and a Christian Saint" where the protagonist repeatedly fights his own battles with little to no direct assistance. It is also similar to other Biblical tales with female heros such as Ruth (recall the female at the male's feet) and Judith (not included in the cannon, but did make it into Catholic Apocrypha)


All things considered, I feel a great loss in the absence of Paul and Theca. I can't help but wonder if perhaps, this small romantic story might not have changed the course of history. After all, how the church argue against female pastors if God granted Thecla the authority to baptize herself. How could women be powerless when Thecla faught off an over-sexed scum-bag without the help of Paul? How could women be made for the kitchen when Thecla leaves the home to serve God? One cannot help but dream a new history into being. But then again, it is only a story. Could one small romance really change the course of history? 


I think all stories have the potential to change history if we allow them to. It is the credence we give to a story that defines the boundaries of its power.