Supernatural Religion, Vol. 3 (of 3) An Inquiry into the Reality of Divine Revelation — Reading Companion

The Acts as a Late, Anonymous Composition

Cassels argues that the author of Acts is unknown and cannot be identified, even if traditionally called Luke. He stresses that an anonymous writer cannot establish a cycle of miracles for any rational mind. The narrative, he claims, is uncorroborated or inconsistent with itself, and contradicted by contemporary documents like Paul's epistles. The miracles—angelic deliverances, sudden deaths, healings—are presented as historical facts, but Cassels insists that the document's true character emerges only when we recognize it as the work of a later writer whose 'pious imagination' supplied details. He does not deny the possibility of Lucan authorship but says it would not materially affect his conclusions.

Paul Versus the Jerusalem Church

Cassels portrays Paul as a figure who 'never succeeded in bringing his elder colleagues over to his views' on circumcision and the Law. The author of Acts, he contends, falsely suggests that the Jerusalem apostles 'anticipated Paul in the Gospel of uncircumcision.' In reality, the Twelve remained within Judaism, while Paul's universalism developed through experience among Gentiles. Cassels emphasizes that Paul faced 'bigoted and narrow-minded opposition' within the Christian body to the end of his life. The eventual triumph of Pauline principles came not from divine revelation or council decisions, but from 'slow and natural changes': the numerical growth of Gentile believers, the death of the Twelve, and the fall of Jerusalem, which dispersed the Jewish-Christian community.

The Resurrection and Ascension Under Scrutiny

In Part VI, Cassels turns to the resurrection and ascension, examining the evidence from the Gospels and Paul. He does not reproduce the full argument in the excerpts, but the table of contents shows he treats these events as subjects requiring critical evaluation of their evidentiary basis. The opening of Part IV sets the tone: the Acts adds 'fresh details' to the ascension, but Cassels implies these are later embellishments. His method is to compare the Gospel accounts with Paul's writings, seeking consistency. The excerpts suggest he finds the resurrection narratives contradictory and the ascension a legendary addition. He concludes that the evidence for miracles fails when subjected to rational scrutiny.

Cassels writes for readers willing to set aside doctrinal assumptions and examine the New Testament as historical documents. His argument proceeds by close reading of the texts themselves, not by appeals to church authority. Those interested in nineteenth-century biblical criticism or the development of Christian universalism will find his analysis detailed and provocative, though his conclusions remain controversial.

Reading Cassels on Acts felt like watching someone dismantle a familiar room, brick by brick. When I reached his quieter arguments about Paul’s universalism, I found myself remembering another set of pages—one that treats that same force as something tenderly organic. The Origin of Paul's Religion — Key Ideas to Explore lingered beside it, a softer echo, like two photographs of the same face taken decades apart.