Of all the Founding Fathers, Alexander Hamilton’s legacy is one of the most complicated. Though was a prolific writer, public servant, and deeply influential thinker, he was also prone to rage, courted scandal, and refused to let grudges die, which infamously led to his fatal encounter with Aaron Burr at Weehawken. These less admirable qualities certainly tarnished his legacy, but they also gave Alexander Hamilton a distinct historical advantage over his revolutionary counterparts. Many members of this country’s founding generation are so revered that we simply cannot relate to them. In contrast, the brilliant and controversial Hamilton has remained deeply and defiantly human. In a similar way, the apostle Paul has retained his humanity through the ages. Paul wrote prolifically and influentially, relished a good argument, and had a hard time letting things go. He was brilliant, controversial, and incredibly passionate. Like Alexander Hamilton, in other words, Paul has remained deeply and defiantly human in our imagination.

Alexander Hamilton has been experiencing a resurgence in popularity lately, in large measure because of the hit musical about his life currently on Broadway. Not only has Hamilton: An American Musical used hip hop and other newer musical styles to expand the musical theater genre, it has also enlivened our understanding of one of our country’s most fascinating founders. Given some of the similarities between the two men, it is perhaps not surprising that many of the musical’s insights about Alexander Hamilton can be applied to the apostle Paul. Join David Romanik on Wednesday evenings in November as he explores how this hip hop musical illuminates our understanding of the apostle Paul and considers how Paul’s writings are especially relevant for Christians today.