Paul's remains found.

I read an article in The Australian today about some archaeological work the Vatican had done on the Basilica of St. Paul. In 2006 they found an ancient tomb that they believe holds the remains of Paul the missionary of the New Testament. It was revealed today that the evidence suggests that the remains are 2,000 years old and they found that the bones were wrapped in precious linens with remnants of herbs and perfumes also found. The Pope has said the evidence suggests that these remains were indeed those of Paul. You can read it here:
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25706086-2703,00.html


This made me think about the process of 'glorifying' Paul to the point of building a church dedicated to him and built it on top of his tomb. Whether it really is the true remains of Paul or not, the reasons for this huge dedication to honouring his memory was interesting.

I don't believe the early church, or those in the era of the Holy Roman Empire (who had predominantly become Christian under the Emperor Constantine) necessarily wanted to worship Paul, or add any particular religious meaning to him or his physical remains. Despite, the growth of "saint worship" later in the Medieval ages, there was never this theology during the early part of the first millenium.

I believe the reason for Paul's ornate and expensive burial was as the result of very grateful Christians who were aware of the hard work and obedience to the point of death, that marked the life of Paul. In 2 Tim 4:7 Paul, knowing that the end had come for him, wrote "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." Paul admitted of himself that he was an apostle "abnormally born" (1 Cor 15:8), through being visited by Jesus on the road to Damascus. For his entire life Paul fought the good fight, ran the race and protected the faith. He was a man who had been shaken to his very core by the love of Jesus and had completely turned his zeal of the Law and Judaism into a zeal for Jesus and the Gospel.

I believe the early church, those who buried Paul, knew that Paul would in no way have wanted to be seen as a 'Saint' to be worshipped or adored. He never tried to win the approval of men. He once said "If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ" (Gal 1:10). Paul won the respect and admiration of those who buried him, not because he was more religious, spiritual or holy than they were, but because he was a man completely sold out on the Good News of Jesus and being obedient to the calling God had placed on his life. That simple formula is something that has spoken louder and longer than any old bones ever could.