Lent Madness 2018 has officially begun! After months of soul-aching anticipation, “Ash 
Thursday” has arrived. Over the next (more or less) 40 days and 40 nights, you will have the opportunity to re-immortalize one of our 32 competing saints with the coveted Golden Halo.
Today we see two heavyweights facing off in the Apostolic Rumble. Will we rob Peter to pay Paul or will Paul get robbed to pay Peter? That, dear friends, is up to you and your single (we mean that and we have spies everywhere) vote.
If you’re new to Lent Madness, welcome! If you have any questions about how to participate, just let us know by leaving a comment. The Lent Madness community is both friendly and helpful, often answering questions before the Supreme Executive Committee arrives in their grand purple, if imaginary, chariot. You can view and/or print out the full bracket of saints by clicking here.
We urge you to take full part in the Madness. Leave comments here on the website. Read what others have to say. Enjoy the friendly rivalry and trash talk on social media. Do additional research. During the day, check in on the website often to see how each day’s contest is going. And above all, delight in seeing how each saint was a powerful witness of Jesus Christ.
Be sure to sign up for e-mail updates on our home page (upper right corner) so you never miss a vote, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and encourage your friends to jump into the fray.
We can assure you this will be a wild, joyful, educational, ocassionally gut-wrenching ride. We’re delighted to share this journey with you. Let the Madness begin!
Peter
The disciple who makes us all feel better about our failures, Saint Peter was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. Peter is traditionally considered the first bishop of Rome—or pope—having been ordained by Jesus who dubs him the “rock of the church.” Originally, Peter was named Simeon, often simplified to Simon in modern English. Peter was married and originally worked as a fisherman with his brother, Andrew. In fact, Andrew introduced Peter to Jesus and gave him the name Cephas (Peter), which means rock.
Peter was a leader among the disciples and witnessed events seen by only a few apostles, such as the Transfiguration and the raising of Jairus’s daughter. According to the gospels, Peter confessed Jesus as the Messiah, then denied knowing Jesus three times under threat of arrest, and then felt shame and remorse over his betrayal. After Easter, Jesus forgave him his failure and implored Peter to “feed my sheep.”
At the start of the Acts of the Apostles, Peter emerges as an effective leader of the early church. He preached with authority at Pentecost, began to work miracles, and participated in the council at Jerusalem. Historical witnesses confirm his later presence in Rome, although they do not verify the legendary story of his martyrdom. According to this tradition, under Emperor Nero, Peter was crucified upside down. He requested this unusual method of execution out of humility, not wanting to be killed in the same manner as Jesus. Hence, in Christian symbology, Peter is often represented by an upside-down cross, along with the keys to God’s kingdom. The Vatican claims Peter’s remains are housed beneath Saint Peter’s Basilica.
St. Peter’s feast day is June 29, and he is the patron of fishermen, net makers, and shipbuilders.
Collect for Peter
Almighty Father, who inspired Simon Peter, first among the apostles, to confess Jesus as Messiah and Son of the living God: Keep your Church steadfast upon the rock of this faith, so that in unity and peace we may proclaim the one truth and follow the one Lord, our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Paul
Behind Jesus Christ himself, perhaps no person has shaped the face of Christianity more than Paul of Tarsus—the pharisaic persecutor of the church turned apostle and the primary writer for a majority of the New Testament.
Paul, as an ardent and educated Pharisee, was dedicated to what (at Jesus’ time) was a somewhat new belief—that the law given in Torah could be applied to everyday activities to sanctify the course of ordinary life. As such, Paul’s early interactions with followers of Jesus were as a persecutor, seeking to restore the norms of pharisaic dogma to the followers of the sect known as “The Way.” But Paul underwent a dramatic conversion experience along the Damascus road. He saw Jesus, who addressed him by his Hebrew name, asking “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” Blinded by this vision, Paul’s sight was restored by Ananias, and a transformative ministry began.
Paul’s message in his epistles speaks to the transformative power of God’s grace, revealed in Jesus, crucified and risen from the dead. Having experienced grace in his conversion, Paul argues that the grace of God is extended to all—Jew and Gentile alike. As he writes in the Epistle to the Galatians, social distinction must break down when all become part of the body of Christ: “There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.” As the Apostle to the Gentiles, he was at times in direct and fierce conflict with Peter; Paul argued with Peter for the inclusion of Gentiles in the table fellowship of the earliest church. Using the privileges Roman citizenship afforded him, Paul traveled widely to preach the gospel: His journeys took him across the Middle East, Asia Minor, and eventually to captivity in Rome. Paul died in Rome, still longing to travel to more communities with the good news of Jesus Christ.
Collect for Paul
O God, by the preaching of your apostle Paul you have caused the light of the Gospel to shine throughout the world: Grant, we pray, that we, having his wonderful conversion in remembrance, may show ourselves thankful to you by following his holy teaching; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
UPDATE: At 7:58 p.m. Eastern time, the SEC removed 254 votes from Paul. We found that someone in Little Rock, AR had voted for Paul repeatedly. This is a reminder that you should vote -- and tell your friends to vote -- but once only.
[poll id="205"]
496 comments on “Peter vs. Paul”
I voted for Paul. He always gets a bad rap for what people think he felt about women. New scholarship presents a much different picture. Many of things folks hold against Paul were added later to bring Paul's teachings in line with the church. Read The Authentic Letters of Paul by or the short book on Paul by Karen Armstrong. We studied both in our group and members came away with a greater respect for this great apostle that brought the teaching of Christ to the known world.
Yay, Oliver!
I've always leaned toward Peter because like him, I open my mouth to change feet, way too often. Rock on!!
Peter is always my "first saint" because I tend to blurt out things that come to mind and then think later "oops, not a good idea". I live within the redemption and continuing to try to move forward--until the next "oops"--with Peter as my model.
I do love the passage in Paul on inclusion and especially nothing can separate us from the love of God. But still have to vote for Peter.
What a hard choice this one is!! I’ve always loved Paul’s voice for inclusion (what Episcopalian doesn’t?). But in the end I went with Peter because of his willingness to be foolish for Jesus. He asked the necessary questions and got sometimes confusing answers. Jesus loved him anyway and always forgave him. This is so parallel to my own Spiritual journey that I had to vote for him. So glad to be a part of Lent Madness this year. This is my first time.
I see we are hitting the ground running!
This is already tough, but I voted for Peter because he reminds us that redemption is not "one and done." We need and receive God's grace over and over again.
This was tough for me...depends on the mood and circumstances in which I find myself. Paul was really a pioneer and an awesome theologian...and probably was the chief organizer of the church. But my heart is with Peter---sometimes clumsy, sometimes loud...but with all his faults he shows deep and brave love for the Lord (as indicated in some comments by others here
Woah! Vote is so close!!
Having to choose between Peter and Paul is like having to pick your favorite child--depends on the time of day, no?
What a (mean) way to start the Madness!!
That said, here goes nothing.
It is "mean" To rule out Peter or Paul on day one?!
I voted for Paul because of his conversion from persecutor of the church to an evangelist to the world!!
Oliver, you read my mind! Voting for Peter at age 58.
My husband and I share a computer but have our own email addresses. Does this mean that we can only vote once and have to negotiate which saint we support?
Peter was rock-solid, yet vulnerable. My kind of guy, my kind of saint.
This was a tough opening for Lent. I didn't get a chance to read all the comments, but there are many on Paul being more inclusive. I did not see any mention of Peter's conversion of heart as told in Acts 10 when he is called to Cornelius the centurion's home -
"34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right."
Peter does learn from his mistakes and is open to having his heart changed when he recognizes a message from God, even though he believed he had already learned what he needed to from Jesus himself.
The toughest vote in my Lent Madness Voting History. After eating a Lentil Cookie, it became clear - St. Paul. Tireless in his travels to spread the gospel he is an inspiration to me. His conversion is Amazing Grace material.
Paul's words sustain me and I want them to do the same as my offspring grow and change. The Collect is great. I, also wish, that Peter and Paul had not come so early in the match up.
Such a hard choice. I voted for Paul because of 1 Corinthians 13.
It's about 10:00am (Pacific Standard Time), and the results are neck and neck: Paul has 2,478 votes and Peter has 2,476 votes.
Never thought that the tallies could be so close; but, it's early yet, and there's plenty of time for my pick (Paul) to further grow the lead.
How can you not vote for Paul, the guy who penned 1 Corinthians 13?
Blessings,
Cynthia
Trinity + St. Peter's Episcopal Church
San Francisco
(1st time our congregation is participating in Lent Madness - very glad that it is!)
Cynthia....St. George's/St. Alban's is doing this too. Go Paul!
CharMar
I am a graduate of St. Paul's School in Concord, New Hampshire.
The conversion of Saul to Paul on the road to Damascus touches my soul.
Fellow Paulie here! But in spite of many a Conversion of Saul evensong sermon, I had to go for Peter.
Peter. He's not so wordy.
I vote from my phone. My husband votes from his laptop. Will our votes be counted?
Yes. That's fine. Thank you.
Too bad these two BIG names are stacked against each other
so early in the game. Love Peter, but how can I vote against
Paul who reached out to followers, founded churches and even, from behind bars, continued to teach and strengthen the church.
Several friends in the Seattle area cannot seem to subscribe/join up with LM. Are you having computer issues?
Tough choice, but it was Peter who taught me that we can be forgiven, even for serious betrayal. So he gets my vote today.
I voted for peter
I've already commented twice as replies, but three's a charm, right? I am GLAD that this round put Peter against Paul. Otherwise, both of them would likely have forged ahead over other worthy saints who wouldn't have had a chance. I'm delighted that either Genesius or Quiteria will make it to the Saintly 16, even though I have no idea who either one is. I agree with an earlier comment -- let today's loser appear in a future Lent Madness.
I vote for Paul, because he wrote most of the new testament. No one has more direct influence on Christian thought and theology, second only to Jesus.
Paul also was the one who made the case to Peter that non Jews have a place in God's family. Peter also is well known as being critical of women leaders (evidenced in the Gospel of Mary), where Paul regularly upheld and celebrated women, such as the Acts of Paul and Thecla.
My vote was easy - for Peter, bringing him within one vote of a literal tie with Paul. Is there overtime in Lent Madness????
Why Peter - because of the faith it took for him to BEGIN his journey with Jesus. No blinding light, no voice from heaven for this simple fisherman. Just a word from his brother . . . a simple invitation to follow a new leader AND HE DID!
Great observation, Tammie. Loving today's comments.
Paul is great he included the gentiles and he had great conversion story but I voted Peter he is chosen to be the rock he has a pure heart that could see Jesus the son of God he had his failures but he was still loved and forgiven we have our failures too but we know that God is merciful once we are sorry and start over
Starting off with a very difficult decision but I’m going with Paul. Not because I’ve ever fully forgiven him for the hate he spewed when he was Saul, but mostly because I love the openings he writes to the friends and new Christians he has met on his travels. Whenever I hear one of Pauls letters I feel the love he sends and the encouragement he offers.
Wow! A 50-50 toss up!