Paul of Tarsus—aka Paul the Apostle, aka St. Paul—is no doubt known by most. Arguably, he is more responsible for creating the institution of the Church than Jesus himself. His dramatic conversion experience has become enshrined in contemporary language through the term “a Damascene moment,” and his influence continues today, particularly among modern Christians, who still consider him sacrosanct.

I first meet him in the belly of a whale, along with Nishida and Jonah. The next time, he is with Martin Luther and Thomas Aquinas, straight out of a scene from The Matrix. The third time, I try to choke him by ramming hallucinogenic fish down his throat. Needless to say, he is a contentious presence in the book.