Understanding Saul’s Political Zeal and the Pharisee Vision for National Salvation (Reconciling Faith And Politics Series)
Before Saul became the Apostle Paul, he was a Pharisee passionately devoted to reshaping Israel into a holy and politically restored nation. In the second installment of our Faith & Politics trilogy, Mike Erre continues unpacking the rich political imagination of Saul prior to his dramatic encounter with Jesus. By examining how salvation, politics, and national identity were deeply intertwined in Saul’s worldview, we gain insight not only into first-century Judaism but into today’s Christian nationalism and the church's entanglement with political power.
Mike walks us through the grand biblical narrative from Israel’s vocation as a light to the nations, through the trauma of exile, to the zealous response of the Pharisees—including Saul’s coercive efforts to purify the nation. As he draws striking parallels between the political fervor of the Pharisees and the evangelical pursuit of a “return to national greatness,” listeners are invited to examine how political hopes shape our understanding of salvation, justice, and community.
Key Takeaways: • Understanding the Political Vision of First-Century Pharisees – Exploring how Saul’s hope for salvation was deeply rooted in national liberation, justice, and the restoration of Israel’s power and purity. • Exile, Exodus, and Redemption – How the archetypes of exile and Exodus informed Israel’s longing for divine intervention, and how political freedom was seen as a core part of salvation. • Paul’s Zeal for National Purity – Unpacking the Pharisee strategy of enforcing holiness and fidelity to the law to prompt divine rescue—and how that zeal turned violent. • Parallels to Modern Christian Nationalism – Exploring how the evangelical desire to “take America back for God” mimics Pharisaic ideologies of cultural purity and coercive means. • Foundations for a Changed Political Imagination – Setting the stage for the next episode’s exploration of how Paul’s encounter with Jesus radically reorients his vision for God’s kingdom and political engagement.
Resources Mentioned: • Book of Isaiah – Second section and its Exodus themes • Jeremiah 29 – The call to seek the peace of the city during exile • Book of Deuteronomy – “Cursed is anyone who hangs on a tree” • Tim Gombis – Theological commentary on Paul’s political transformation
Join us next time as we explore how meeting the risen Jesus reshaped Saul’s imagination—and what that means for how we live politically faithful lives today.
As always, we welcome your questions and reflections at hello@voxpodcast.com—and encourage you to subscribe, leave us a review, and follow along on Instagram and Facebook to stay part of the ongoing conversation.
We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV Our Merch Store: ETSY Learn more about the Voxology Podcast: voxologypodcast.com Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify Support us on Patreon Check out our Spotify station: Voxology Radio Follow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast Like us on Facebook Follow Mike on Twitter: @MikeErre
Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy
As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to hello@voxpodcast.com, and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram.
We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV.
Our Merch Store! ETSY
Learn more about the Voxology Podcast
Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify
Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon
The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology Radio
Follow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast and "like" us on Facebook
Follow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre
Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford
Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy