The Hispanic World in the Bible?: The Apostle Paul's Likely Visit to Roman Spain

When Bible teachers, researchers and scholars examine modern-day ethnic groups in Scripture, they quickly identify the Middle Eastern peoples, East Asians, Africans and non-Hispanic Europeans. But few would expect to find mention of Hispanics in Scripture.

This assumption is challenged by Fernando Figueredo, a communications professor at Florida International University, in his self-published but incredibly well-researched book "Exploring the Steps of the Apostle Paul in Spain."

While not a theologian or historian, Figueredo was drawn to the subject when completing his doctorate at the University of Seville in Spain and discovering from a mass he attended in a small Spanish town that there is a long-standing fact-based tradition that the Apostle Paul spent one or two years near the end of his life bringing Christianity to the Hispanic world.

The Apostle Paul's intention to do this is referenced in Romans 15. The question for Biblical historians is simply whether the apostle actually made good on his intention. Figueredo believes Paul did, and that this occurred after his journey to Rome as recorded in Acts 28 and before his death as anticipated in II Timothy.

Far from an afterthought, a missionary journey to the Hispanic world appeared to be a priority for Paul.

"In his letter to the Romans, Paul is very clear in stating that he would visit the Church members in Rome while "passing" on his way to Hispania. Rome was not his priority, it was Hispania," writes Figueredo.

Later, in Paul's "swan song" of II Timothy, "Paul declares he had "finished the race," implying he had been able to accomplish everything he wanted. Given that Timothy knew that Hispania was a high priority for Paul, the clear implication is that he was able to accomplish the trip," argues Figueredo.

The testimony of early church fathers - including Clement of Rome, a contemporary of the Apostle Paul - agree with only one exception that the Apostle Paul did indeed visit Spain.

In the Eastern Orthodox Churches, the oldest expression of Christianity in the world, Paul's Hispanic visit is viewed as historical fact.

Had the Apostle Paul lived longer, we might have an epistle "to the Hispanics" in our New Testaments!

Tracing the Steps of the Apostle Paul in Spain

Figueredo leads History Travel Tours that include excursions following in the traditional footsteps of the Apostle Paul, informed by church tradition and logic based on where the apostle would have prioritized in the demographic realities of the Roman Empire.

Tarragona, a port city some 60 miles south of Barcelona, appears to be the arrival city for the apostle.

Known as Tarraco in Roman times, this city had a thriving Jewish community, where the Apostle Paul no doubt proclaimed Jesus as Messiah before outreach to the broader Gentile community, as was his custom in the places he visited.

Cordoba and Seville in southern Spain were likely other stops in Paul's journey, as attested by historical tradition and the growth of the Christian church very early in history in these areas.

Spain in the Broader Judeo-Christian Story

The book written by Figueredo makes clear that the Apostle Paul's visit to Spain is far from an outlandish tale but a very likely historical fact.

But it isn't the only time that the Hispanic world and the Bible intersect.

In the New King James version, there are 23 Biblical references to either Spain or Tarshish, an ancient name for the far western lands that seem to have included Spain in those early times.

II Chronicles 9 tell us that in King Solomon's time, there was sea travel between Israel and Spain.

The renegade Prophet Jonah had Spain in his sights when he disobeyed God's command to preach to the people of Nineveh (modern day northern Iraq) and instead headed for the opposite direction. There is a possibility that some of the sailors on Jonah's ill-fated voyage may have been Hispanics.

Psalm 48:7 speaks of the great sailing ships of Tarshish, the beginnings of the maritime tradition in the Iberian peninsula that would culminate in the Age of Exploration in the 15th and 16th centuries.

And there is extra-Biblical tradition (though not as verifiable as the claims of the Apostle Paul's visit) that the Apostle James, one of the four members of the "inner core" of Jesus' apostles, may have made an early journey to Spain.

In the past 2,000 years, Spain has played a major role in the Christian story, acting as a bulwark against the Islamic invasions of the Middle Ages and spreading the Christian faith through most of the Americas and large parts of East Asia and the Pacific.

"Next to Rome, it was probably the most important region in protecting and spreading Christianity around the world," summarizes Figueredo.

A Critical Review

Figueredo's review clearly comes from a Roman Catholic perspective. He is also a Hispanic, and there is of course always a risk of ethnocentrism in evaluating the impact of one's own culture. And the New Testament clearly declares the Gospel of Jesus Christ is for all peoples (Luke 2:10, Acts 17:30, I Timothy 2:4). Therefore, it isn't essential that a people group be mentioned in Scripture for them to be part of God's redemptive plan.

Purists might argue that a self-published book by a non-theologian (albeit a highly educated one) might lack the stature of great theological works.

Yet despite these potentially valid points, Figueredo opens the reader's minds to the often-neglected yet entirely logical conclusion that Spain was part of the Apostle Paul's itinerary. And in a large sense, the irrefutable fact that Spain (along with some other countries) was responsible for Christianity becoming the world's most widespread and largest religious faith.

Along with many other ethnic groups, Hispanics have much to be proud of in their contribution to Biblical and Judeo-Christian history.

Certainly something to remember this Hispanic Heritage Month and worth teaching in our seminaries and schools for a full understanding of the Hispanic contribution to our world.