It is sometimes maintained that St. Paul was the real founder of Christianity. This is at best a half-truth, but it is a half-truth worth pondering.

The question that hangs over our inquiries during this Year of St. Paul is why did Paul write these letters. He or other disciples had helped to convert these new Christians. They had repented of their sins, been baptized and believed in the Gospel. What more did they need? Wasn't this good enough?

Dying you destroyed our death; rising you restored our life. Lord Jesus, come in glory."

I began this series of articles by pointing out that for St. Paul the fundamental sin is idolatry. Paul devoted much of his ministry to helping his Gentile converts weed out any vestiges of pagan idolatry.