Saul of Tarsus & The Fellowship of the Secret

The title of the book is taken from a little observed passage of St Paul Eph3:8-11. Richard Barker explains how that obscure reference from Ephesians supports a literal reading of Romans 11:11-15 where Paul stated that salvation had been made available to the Gentiles as a result of Jewish failure. The author demonstrates that Paul's references to salvation were not usually referring to the means of avoiding Hell but to the provision of healing for the incarnated soul through a mystical participation with Christ. That was in order that those predestined to serve as His priestly people in the present might potentially become fitted to reign with Him as His corporate partner through eternity. The fellowship of the secret hidden in God through the ages was that such an inheritance was, contrary to the expectations of earlier prophecy, being offered to the Gentiles.
Though a Christian for 45 years, the writer does not claim to be a scholar or theologian. Much of the above interpretation was news to him being the result of an overpowering encounter with the Holy Spirit during the summer of 2013. It resulted in Richard coming to a quite new understanding of certain prophecies and doctrines which he believes can be validated by their ability to resolve many so-called tensions of the Bible. The new interpretation also has joyous implications to divine providence without in any way undermining the urgency of the Christian gospel. As well as seeking to be faithful to a literal reading of the Greek text of the New Testament, Richard demonstrates how a good deal of his seemingly unorthodox soteriology echoes the witness of the earliest Alexandrian Church Fathers.

Richard Barker was a Civil Servant for 28 years before leaving to study for full-time Christian ministry at a Reformed theological college. It was there he had a radical conversion to Catholicism which put paid to that particular life plan. He resumed secular employment which included a stint as a TV support actor and latterly a London bus driver. Having retired in 2013 he began preparing a social media presentation concerning his spiritual journey which evolved into this book.