BACK THORN 3'2m2f The clear meaning of Paul's thorn in the flesh HOST -- (enters, crosses to DC) Good evening and welcome to SPEAKING OF THE BIBLE, the show that explores the fascinating world of the Bible. Tonight our entire half hour will be devoted to the writings most prolific author of the New Testament, the Apostle Paul. And as a special treat we have author himself. Please help me welcome Paul the Apostle. (applause) PAUL -- (Paul enters with a huge thorn through his head, crosses to DC, holding his head) You got an aspirin? HOST -- No, I'm sorry. PAUL -- Bummer. HOST -- Well, Paul, I guess the first thing we should discuss is the obvious. We avid readers of your epistles have been fascinated and perplexed by the concept of the thorn in the flesh. Frankly, we had no idea that it was a literal thorn. PAUL -- How about an Alka Seltzer? You got an Alka Seltzer? HOST -- No, I'm sorry. PAUL -- Bummer. HOST -- For those of our viewers who are not familiar with the concept of the THORN IN THE FLESH, we should probably clarify the concept. Paul? PAUL -- I'd even take a Midal, if anyone has a Midal. (looks around) Anybody? HOST -- (pauses, reads) According to 2 Corinthians 13:7, you state that the thorn in the flesh was given to you to keep you from being... (pauses) PAUL -- You would not believe this headache. HOST -- ...to keep you from being conceited. Did I interpret that concept correctly? PAUL -- What was the question again? HOST -- It was interesting to me that you stated that the thorn in the flesh was not a reminder from the Lord, but a messenger from Satan to torment you. Would you like to comment on that? PAUL -- No. HOST -- No? PAUL -- No. HOST -- Paul, you are the most prolific contributors to the Bible. You've written some of the most quoted theologies in the Bible. Have you always been this good with words? PAUL -- Yes. HOST -- I would have thought that a wordsmith like you would be more talkative. PAUL -- Not since... you know. (points to thorn) I have to go lie down. (exits) HOST -- (forces smile) Well, we still have... (Looks at his watch) ...Twenty seven minutes left of SPEAKING OF THE BIBLE. (Rolls his eyes) And we'll be back right after these messages. (exits, reenters, dragging Tina to DC) Welcome back to SPEAKING OF THE BIBLE. We are talking about the writings of the Apostle Paul. And here to lend her expertise is our make-up girl, Tina. Tina, you're a Sunday school teacher, what do you think about the writings of Apostle Paul. TINA -- I like them. HOST -- And what do you like about them? TINA -- They're good. HOST -- They're good. (forces smile) Well, we have 24 and a half minutes left of SPEAKING OF THE BIBLE and we'll be back right after these messages. (drags Tina to exit) They're good. (reenters, dragging Mary to DC) Welcome back to SPEAKING OF THE BIBLE. We are talking about the writings of the Apostle Paul. And here to lend her expertise is our production assistant, Mary. Mary, you go to church sometimes. Which of Paul's epistles do you like best? MARY -- Did Paul write epistles? I thought he wrote some of the Bible. HOST -- (pushes Mary to exit) Well, I see that we still have twenty-two minutes remaining of SPEAKING OF THE BIBLE. And right after these messages we'll show you a taped rerun of one of our previous shows. See you next time on SPEAKING OF THE BIBLE. (both exit) ©2013 Bob Snook. Conditions for use: Do not sell any part of this script, even if you rewrite it. Pay no royalties, even if you make money from performances. You may reproduce and distribute this script freely, but all copies must contain this copyright statement. http://www.bobsnook.org email: [email protected] BACK |