St. Paul was a thinker, a pastor, a missionary, a revolutionary, and a martyr. By the end of his life — and largely thanks to his efforts — Christianity enjoyed a worldwide presence. Since then, he has emerged repeatedly down the millennia as a fresh voice, compelling us to envision God, and life, in a new way. We cannot understand Christianity unless we understand his message. We cannot understand ourselves as Christians unless we see ourselves in the light of his words.