Paul's Ascent to Paradise: The Apostolic Message and Mission of Paul in the Light of His Mystical Experiences

by James D. Tabor

Through her grace he is released from hostile Fate and transformed from an ass (which he had become through evil magic) back to a human (11.13-15). Lucius devotes himself totally to service of the goddess, continually receiving from her “visions and counsel,” and longing for the day when he will be allowed to undergo the secret initiation of the cult. Finally, his great moment arrives, and Apuleius offers the reader of the novel an altogether tantalizing account of what was involved in the initiation (11.23). The priest escorts Lucius to the baths for the customary ablution, then takes him to a room in a temple, placing him before the image of the goddess and giving him “certain secret instructions too holy to be uttered.” After a ten day fast, he is taken alone into another room, clothed in a new garment of linen and there the initiation experience transpires. What took place, we are told, is unlawful to tell (recall Paul’s statement about his ascent, 2 Corinthians 12:2-4), but as curious readers we are offered the following cryptic description: