Paul and Jewish mysticism (free post)

Three recommended videos

Before the 20th century it was, to say the least, rare — if it was even considered at all by any scholar before 1900 — to connect Paul’s mysticism to the Jewish Merkabah and Hekhalot mysticism with which he would have been conversant (and quite possibly, intimately so). Since the 1980s, however, this link has been explored fruitfully by a number of scholars, both Jewish and Christian (and neither), and in turn this research has had fascinating implications for the entire history of Christian asceticism and mysticism. While one may not agree with every speculation advanced by this or that scholar (I don’t), it’s still worth our while to examine the subject.

To that end, here are three rewarding video lectures. The first two come from Dr. Justin Sledge’s Esoterica channel (a channel, incidentally, with much to offer), and the third is an interview with Dr. James Tabor. Here they are, with the explanatory notes for each.

1. Kabbalah - Merkabah Hekhalot and Sar Torah Mysticism - Ancient Chariot and Angelic Kabbalah

   “Jewish mysticism is one of the foundations for Western Esotericism and this video explores some of the earliest strata of those mystical texts. In the Merkaba (chariot) / Hekhalot (palaces) texts mystics describe the terrifying and awe-inspiring descent - not ascent - into the divine palaces, meet with fearsome angels, gain control over angelic power, become transformed into beings of fire, and mount the very throne of G-d to carefully measure the vasts dimensions of the divine body. This video also explores the Sar Torah (Torah Prince) literature where mystics engage in Jewish theurgy in order to gain immediate knowledge of legal, magical, and religious lore. We also setup a future discussion of early Jewish magical texts such as the Sefer haRazim (The Book of Secrets) and the most obscure, taciturn, and amazing Sefer Yetzirah (Book of Formation).”

2. How Ancient Apocalyptic Jewish Ascent Esotericism Laid the Foundations of Christianity

“Ancient Jewish Merkavah Mysticism sought to ascend into the palaces of the divine realm, bypass fearsome angels of destruction to gain a vision of the very Chariot-Throne of God. By beholding the divine glory (kavod) one could gain magical powers and even be transformed into an eternal Angel. And it was this form of esoteric mysticism that it appears profoundly transformed none-less than St Paul. From his ascent into the Third Heaven to even his 'mission to the gentiles,' historical evidence now strongly indicates that Paul was a secret practitioner of this form of mystical ascent. And, recent studies are now revealing that his very Theology, Christology and Theory of Salvation likely drew upon this ancient esoteric Jewish ascent mysticism.”

3. The Mysticism and Message of Paul--Cosmic Transformation

“In this 1.5 hour video interview [James Tabor and David Leblanc] explore further details of the Apostle Paul's mystical experiences and how that shapes his views of salvation, cosmic transformation, the New Creation based on [Tabor’s] book: Paul's Ascent to Paradise.”