MANITOWOC — They are words spoken at many Christian marriages.“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
“If I have the gift of prophecy … have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.”
The passage from the first century disciple Paul’s letter to the Corinthians will be just a small part of Jonathon Roberts’ 65-minute “Project Paul” performance tonight at Manitowoc Lutheran High School.
“I have always found him especially compelling. Paul is the most passionate of any of the writers of the New Testament,” said Roberts, a graduate of the local high school as well as Lawrence University in Appleton.
With 14 months of preparation and the assistance of dozens of friends and fellow students, Roberts’ “Project Paul” is an artistic reaction to the life and writings of Paul as told in the Bible.
The performance will combine music composed by Roberts, as well as various sounds, still images and video clips.
There are audio samples of Lawrence choir jazz, symphony and wind ensembles. This will be his 15th performance with bookings in California and the East Coast later this year for both secular and religious audiences.
Information from Roberts’ Web site, www.projectpaul.com, and Beliefnet.com describes how most scholars believe Paul, whose original name was Saul, was born Jewish about 10 years after the birth of Jesus Christ.
After Jesus’ death Christianity was becoming widespread. Although he never met Jesus, Saul led the persecution of many of Christ’s early followers.
While on his way to stop Christianity from reaching the port city of Damascus, the man who was then known as Saul was struck blind by a bright light according to the Bible.
He heard Jesus’ voice calling him to spread his teachings to Jews and Gentiles, kings and common people alike.
With his new life and calling Paul regained most of his sight and began testifying that salvation comes through faith alone in Jesus, not by obedience to the law.
Paul fostered groups of believers throughout the Mediterranean world. He was persecuted himself, frequently imprisoned. Paul was captured one last time and beheaded.
Biblical scholars agree Paul wrote, at last, 13 letters or “epistles” to fledgling Christian congregations in various communities.
‘Rough around the edges’
“One moment Paul can be very loving, the next sarcastic and coarse. He wants to communicate with everybody the best way he can and will try everything,” said Roberts, 24. “He is rough around the edges.”
Roberts said his goal is for those attending to study Paul’s writings and possibly have their own spiritual path influenced.
“My faith is the main influence on my life, drives what I do, especially artistically,” Roberts said.
“I find great inspiration working with biblical texts. I believe there is a world of possibility for artists to examine their faith through art,” he said.
Roberts recognizes feminist criticism of Paul in his writings that, on the surface, appear to limit women’s potential leadership roles in a church, or even suggests they simply stay silent.
He said all of Paul’s words are inspired by God but, at times, are his opinion and should be viewed in that context.
But what Roberts believes is the core of Paul is love.
“For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears, not that you should be made sorry, but that you might know the love that I have so abundantly for you,” Paul writes in his second letter to the Corinthians, second chapter, fourth verse.
“As I worked on this piece, I felt especially close to Paul. My faith has grown because of his work,” Roberts said. “I hope others who want to learn about their faith are willing to explore Paul, as well.”
Charlie Mathews: 920-686-2969 or cmathews@htrnews.com.
