"Perhaps no single person is more responsible for the existence of Christianity as we know it today than that balding preacher from Tarsus whom we know as Paul.
Idolized by some as the conduit through which God dictated an eternal and unchanging moral code and discredited by others as a misogynist crank, Paul is without question one of the most controversial figures in the history of Christianity. But one thing can’t be questioned: his passion for Christ and his apparent willingness to risk life and limb in propagating his interpretation of Christ’s message and purpose. As very little, if any, of what most people think of as Christianity has been untouched by the influence of this itinerant tentmaker, a thorough examination of the changing understandings and significance of Paul’s writings and ideas is critical to a faithful expression of Christianity today.
The Legacy of Paul
From “opposing Cephas to his face” (Galatians 2:11) to stick-waving threats (1 Corinthians 4:21), it is abundantly clear from his own writings that Paul was never a stranger to controversy. His writings continue to spark controversy and debate to this day. Very little is known about this prolific writer of nearly a quarter of what has come to be known as the New Testament. What most people think we know about his life actually comes from Luke’s Acts of the Apostles. Acts conflicts in chronology and theological content in so many ways with the authentic writings of Paul as to be profoundly suspect in offering an accurate account of his life. According to Luke, his name was Saul when he was born in Tarsus of Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). He may have been born to a Roman family who was committed to his Jewish education and upbringing. According to Luke, the young Saul studied in Jerusalem with Rabbi Gamaliel and persecuted those on “The Way" as heretics before experiencing a profound life-changing encounter with the Christ on the road to Damascus. As uncertain as these Lukan story elements are, they nonetheless express the conviction that Paul straddled two very different worlds and was uniquely situated to translate the universal message of a local Jewish sect into language that the whole world could embrace.
But his biography is by no means the most controversial aspect of Paul’s life. Reviled and discredited for writings attributed to him, he has the dubious honor of being one of the most admired and hated proponents of Christianity. Women, slaves, Jews, and homosexuals are just some of the many groups who can point to Paul's writings as having provided fodder for those who would defend an unjust and cruel status quo.
Much of what Paul is held negatively accountable for is, in fact, the work of others. Letters attributed to Paul have introduced the idea of Jesus as the divine savior from sin and set the foundation for a church that administers sacraments and ordains clergy. Likewise, Paul’s writings have been the springboard from which theologians have woven complex theories of blood atonement and recast the faith we now call Christianity into a religion “about” Jesus rather than the religion “of” Jesus. The first step in sorting out Paul’s social, theological and ecclesiastical legacy is to establish exactly what can be attributed to him and what cannot.
To receive a complete copy of the text used for the session, please contact Pastor Marj at daytonfirstcong@gmail.com. It will be sent as an email attachment for your perusal as opposed to printing multiple pages, a stewardship practice. Because of copyright law, we are not able to make the materials available here. Another option would be to purchase a copy of Felten and Procter-Murphy's newly-released book, Living the Questions: The Wisdom of Progressive Christianity from your local bookseller.
Questions to be considered in light of the video and readings:
Flunder points out that Paul was a man in transition. Explain.
What are some of the benefits Levine describes Paul using in promoting his message to the people of his day and age?
According to Varghese, what was Paul’s passion?
According to Cobb, what is so crucial about Paul’s message?
What are the seven authentic letters of Paul?
The role of women is just one example of a teaching that is confused by later authors claiming Paul’s authority. Explain.
Describe the attributes and purpose of what Crossan calls the “three different Pauls.”
According to Nelson, what did Paul warn against when considering “the letter of the Law?”
Describe some of the characteristics of Paul’s message and its similarity to the “alternative wisdom” taught by Jesus.
Name two ways in which the notion of “Christ crucified” challenges conventional wisdom.
Elaborate on how the concept of “pistis” being mistranslated as “faith in Jesus” (as opposed to the “faith of Jesus”) has shaped Christianity as a whole.
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