Paul’s ecstatic trance experience near Damascus in Acts of the Apostles
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies November 3, 2002 DOI: 10.4102/hts.v58i2.560 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Citations | 17 |
| Key points | Argues that altered states of consciousness in Acts are common and normal human experiences, supported by cultural prevalence data and interdisciplinary insights, and that these perspectives enhance interpretation of Paul's call. |
Abstract
Luke reports more than twenty altered states of consciousness experiences in Acts of the Apostles. These are common and normal human experiences in approximately ninety percent of contemporary cultures. In the ancient Circum-Mediterranean world, it seems to have been common and normal in about eighty percent of those cultures. Insights from psychological anthropology, cultural anthropology and cognitive neuroscience contribute to an improved understanding and interpretation of these experiences in the Bible, particularly the call of Paul as reported in Acts 9; 22; 26.
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Paul’s call to be a holy man (apostle): In his own words and in other words HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies October 9, 2005
- Mythology, Weltanschauung, symbolic universe and states of consciousness HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies February 4, 2016
- Millennialisme, eskatologie en apokaliptiek1 HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies August 28, 2015