Igreja/Bíblia: Frederico Lourenço propõe uma leitura de São Paulo para um mundo polarizado

Frederico Lourenço, a professor at the University of Coimbra and Bible translator, presented a lecture on Saint Paul as an apostle and poet during the opening of the Escola Diocesana de Formação for the Diocese of Angra. Lourenço suggested that Paul's message goes beyond literal readings, emphasizing agape love as the way to understand his theology and the Christian call to communion.

Lourenço addressed how certain passages in the letters of Paul can create difficulties when interpreted literally in a modern context. He noted that these texts are often used to address topics such as the role of women in the Church, slavery, homosexuality, and political positions. He specifically mentioned that some use Paul's writings to justify excluding women from ministries and service roles.

Lourenço argued that the challenge is learning how to interpret words written in a specific historical context without turning them into absolute rules for all time. He cautioned against the temptation to treat these historical texts as unchanging norms, noting that reading Paul becomes particularly complex when facing contemporary issues.