Gary,

Paul's violent behavior he admitted to openly (Galations 1:13-14, documented in Acts 8:1-3)...violence stems from unmanaged anger i.e. anger management issues so to that effect it's not speculation. The only speculation is to what the "thorn of the flesh" was which we'll never know. As far as his contribution to the cannonized New Testament, he's attributed with 13 epistles, and of course the speculation that he wrote Hebrews which is another question nobody will know the answer to. Of course there is contention on who actually wrote some of those letters, Ephesians, Collosians and 2 Thessalonians being the most contested.

Studying that period and the New Testament (culture and Koine Greek) was a hobby of mine. Mostly because I spent some of my youth in an unacredited bible college (got kicked out of!) and still keep in touch and debate with my old roommates from that time period.

Like the way you think Gary, I think sadly we've jacked this thread though