From Persecutor to Prophet: How Paul’s Theology Shaped the

Landscape for Christianity

By Nikoholas HarrisReligious Studies Capstone Seminar

Fall 2011Dr. Linda Penkower

Introduction

New movement begins to take shape out of Judaism

Jesus is the leader of this movement Preached at Galilee and Jerusalem Performed miracles

Because of Rome, Jesus is eventually crucified

Introduction cont.

Paul (Saul) was one of the people opposed to this “Jesus Movement”

Later convert to this movementWhat are the factors that he had to

overcome?

Factors Paul had to overcome

Didn’t have contact with Jesus Former opponent of the movement What is an Apostle?

Someone who had personal contact with Jesus Simon Peter James

Someone who witnessed the Body of the Risen Christ Paul fits this second definition

His letters to the Galatians & Romans

Split between Judaism and Christianity

Not an overnight eventFew different factors that caused the split

Rejection of Jesus Council of Jerusalem Destruction of the Second Temple

Rejection of Jesus

Jesus shows up in Nazareth to preachCrowd there rejects him

“The Carpenter’s Son”, “Son of Mary”, “Brother of James, Joses, Simon and Judas”

Thought he was just another false prophet

“And he did not many mighty works there because of their disbelief.” (Matthew 13:58)

Council of Jerusalem

Took place in 50 CEOrganized by members of Jesus

movementGentiles didn’t need to abide by the

Mosaic LawCircumcision an important issue

Ruled circumcision was a requirement

Destruction of the Second Temple

Some believed Jesus correctly predicted destruction of the temple “And Jesus said unto them, Seest thou those

great buildings? There shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.” (Mark 13:2)

Jews had their hands full with the Roman Empire

Early Christians

“The Way” Made up of Jewish believers

Did not call themselves “Christians” Christianity didn’t exist yet

Rome didn’t distinguish between the Way and rest of Judaism

Nero: Rome knew difference between Jews and early Christians Blamed them for Great Fire of Rome in 64 CE

Saul the Pharisee

Born a Pharisee in Tarsus Tent-making family with Roman citizenship

Unusual for people born outside of Rome at that time

Hellenistic upbringing Knew Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic

Taught by Gamaliel Held a position in the Sanhedrin Compassionate towards the early Christians

Saul the Pharisee

How much Judaism did Paul know? Some say “real” Judaism is Pharisaic and un-

Greek Judaism that Paul knows has too many Greek

influences Why did Paul persecute these early Christians?

Felt they were a threat to the covenant Didn’t want Rome to see Jewish communities

as a threat to the empire

Paul the Convert

Road to Damascus circa 34 CEBlinded by bright lightHears voice asking why he’s persecuting

himGoes to Ananias, who restores his sightDoesn’t convert to “Christianity”

No one uses this term at that time Didn’t even think what he was teaching was a

“new” religion

Paul the Convert

Never sheds his Jewish heritage Considered himself a Jew throughout his life Letter to Romans: born a Jew in Tarsus with

Roman citizenship

Is he still Jewish? Yes: Jew on the outside Theology he’s preaching has roots in Judaism

Paul vs. his opponents

Who were they? Judaizers Other apostles: Peter

Followed him from place to place Wanted to undo the “damage” Paul had done

Paul vs. his opponents (the Apostles)

Incident at AntiochPaul’s upset that Peter won’t interact with

Gentiles in front of other JewsPeter and others say Gentiles are less

important because they are uncircumcised Paul’s friend Barnabas agrees

Paul vs. his opponents (Judaizers)

Jewish Christian sect in the 1st centuryChristian who adheres to the Mosaic Law

Circumcision Sabbath Passover

Someone who converts to JudaismPaul battles with this group in Galatians

Paul the Theologian

Righteousness through faith Uses Abraham as an example

Abraham & Sarah as parents to Israel and Gentile nations as well

Law is a pacifier until Jesus cameTwo ways to reach salvation

Converting to Judaism Not converting and relying on faith

Paul the Theologian (Circumcision)

Many Jews feel circumcision is paramountPaul: If you undergo circumcision, you

must follow the entire Law Entire Law can’t be kept

More important for Gentiles to do good things and have faith

Paul the Communicator

Met with small groups of people in homes and later in churches

Did debate publicly with opponents “bodily presence was weak and his speech

contemptible” Paul admits that he isn't the greatest speaker

Main weapon was letter-writing Read at worship services Because his view on circumcision, his message was

more appealing to audiences outside the Jewish tradition

Letter to the Galatians

Who were they? Pagan community

Why is he writing them? Judaizers came in and also converted them

Main idea of letter? The Spirit

Defense of the Spirit

Paul: Spirit is something you can’t really touch, but something you feel

Asks Galatians how they received the Spirit By his teachings

Uses Abraham again Used his faith to receive the Spirit

Letter to the Romans

Planned to stop in Rome before heading to Spain

Conflict between Jewish Christians and Gentiles

Wants them to love one another Says he is speaking to the “Jew first”

Jews and Christians can coexist in a Christian world

Letters to the Romans

Opposed to idol worship Prevalent in Rome

Warns about hypocrisy from Jews who want them to follow the Law but

don’t follow it themselvesSalvation & Transformation of believers

Salvation: freed from sin through faith in Christ Believers: live under grace of God, read

Scriptures and love everybody

Paul vs. Judaism

Is Paul anti-Jewish? More concerned with Gentiles than Jews

Misrepresentation of his theology by others Martin Luther Augustine

Dual covenants theory Jews can reach righteousness through Torah Gentiles can reach it through faith

Conclusion