Paul's Letters: The Symbolism of Imagination and Inner Transformation

In Neville Goddard’s teachings, the Bible is a psychological narrative, illustrating the journey of spiritual awakening and transformation through the power of imagination. Paul, as a key figure in this journey, represents the fully awakened imagination, someone who has realised the creative power of thought and assumption. His letters are not just historical documents but profound expressions of the law of assumption and mental creation.

Paul as the Awakened Imagination

Before his spiritual transformation, Paul (formerly Saul) symbolises the old consciousness, governed by external laws and beliefs. His shift from Saul to Paul represents the transformation of the mind—moving from limitation to the awakened state of imagination. In Neville’s framework, Paul’s letters are mental acts of assumption, where he creates reality through his words, not only affirming his own transformation but also guiding others to realise their creative potential.

Letters as Seeds of Assumption

Paul’s letters are symbolic of the seeds of assumption—the mental declarations that shape the subconscious mind. For example, when Paul writes to Philemon about Onesimus, he assumes their relationship is already transformed. These letters reflect the creative act of imagination, affirming the reality Paul wishes to see manifest. As Neville teaches, assuming the feeling of the wish fulfilled is how we create our external reality, and Paul’s writings act as a guide to this mental process.

The Church vs. The Tent: Symbolism of the Sacred Space

Paul’s letters also point to a key symbolic contrast found in the Bible: the church and the tent. In early biblical symbolism, the tent represents the temporary nature of external forms—a symbolic space for spiritual interaction that is flexible and changeable. It’s a physical, transitory dwelling, much like the mind before it has fully awakened to its creative power.

In contrast, the church represents the established, collective awareness—a symbol of the mind’s perfected state, where all thoughts are aligned with divine law. The church, as a permanent structure, reflects the settled, unwavering faith in imagination’s creative power. Paul’s teachings point toward the shift from the tent (the temporary state of consciousness) to the church (the permanent, established awareness of one’s creative ability).

Paul and the Law of Assumption

Paul’s teachings reflect the fulfillment of the law through the inner work of imagination. In Neville’s interpretation, the law (external conditions) is fulfilled through grace (the inner power of imagination), and Paul’s letters emphasise this shift. He encourages believers to assume their desired state, knowing that their faith will bring it into being. His words are not directed outwardly, but inwardly, guiding others to realise the power within themselves.

Conclusion: Paul as the Final Realisation

Paul, through his letters, symbolises the culmination of the Bible’s journey—a journey from external reliance to internal realisation. His letters reflect the power of imagination to create reality and the assumption of the wish fulfilled. They are not mere words; they are the mental seeds that guide others to awaken to their own creative potential, showing that the Bible’s message is not about external laws but about the inner transformation that shapes the world.