Paul: Follower of Jesus or Founder of Christianity?

by David Wenham

Overview

This book provides a broad, popular look at the relationship between Paul and Jesus. Considering the recurrent question of how much Paul knew and was dependent on the teachings of Jesus, Wenham studies the Gospels and Paul's letters, systematically compares the teachings of Jesus and Paul, and reveals the intriguing connections and differences between the two. His conclusions make this volume a groundbreaking work with exciting implications for the study of Jesus and the Gospels and of Paul and early Christianity.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780802801241
Publisher:	Eerdmans, William B. Publishing Company
Publication date:	04/05/1995
Pages:	472
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.05(d)

About the Author

David Wenham is a well-known British theologian who has specialized in Christian origins during his teaching career at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, and Trinity College, Bristol, among other places. His previous books include The Parables of Jesus and Paul: Follower of Jesus or Founder of Christianity?

Table of Contents

1. INTRODUCING THE QUESTION

THE DATA AND THE ISSUES

Paul's Use or Nonuse of the Stories and Sayings of Jesus
Two Gospels or One?

WHY BOTHER? THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ISSUES

The Legitimacy of Pauline and Traditional Christianity
The Nature of Christian Faith
Light on Gospel Stories and Gospel History
The Unity, Diversity, and Inspiration of Scripture

SOLVING THE JESUS-PAUL QUESTION: CAN IT BE DONE?

Problems
The Rationale of This Book
What is Distinctive about This Book and Its Approach?
What to Expect in This Book
Method and Assumptions
How to Read and Assess This Book

2. THE KINGDOM OF GOD

I. Comparing Jesus and Paul

JESUS' ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD

"The Time Has Come . . .": The Theme of Fulfillment
Change of Government!
Mission of Healing and Reconciliation
Now and Not Yet
Celebration of Salvation

THE GOOD NEWS ACCORDING TO PAUL

Jesus Christ and Him Crucified
Fulfillment of Promise
Now Is the Day of Salvation!
God's Righteousness Revealed
Reconciliation
The Human Predicament in Paul
Faith
Now and Not Yet

FINAL COMMENTS ON THE COMPARISON

II. Connecting Jesus and Paul

THE KINGDOM SAYINGS

Paul on the Kingdom
The Argument for a Connection with Jesus' Teaching
Paul's General Avoidance of Kingdom Language
Paul's Preference for Other Terms

1 CORINTHIANS 13:2, 3, 13

Faith to Move Mountains
The Mysteries of the Kingdom
Giving All for the Poor
Faith, Hope, and Love

THE SAVING WORD: ECHOES OF THE SOWER

Things Secret and Public
Clean and Unclean Food

CONCLUSION

Additional Notes

RECENT INTERPRETATIONS OF JESUS' KINGDOM TEACHING

JESUS, JOHN THE BAPTIST, AND QUMRAN

A POSSIBLE EXPLANATION OF LUKE 7:28-35

3. WHO IS JESUS?

I. Comparing Jesus and Paul

HOW DID JESUS UNDERSTAND HIS OWN MINISTRY?

Messiah
Son of Man
Son of God

HOW DID PAUL UNDERSTAND JESUS?

Son of God
Jesus the Human Being
The Christ
Lord

FINAL COMMENTS ON THE COMPARISON

II. Connecting Jesus and Paul

ABBA

MARANATHA AND JESUS AS LORD

SON OF MAN AND ADAM

"I THANK YOU, FATHER . . ."

Verbal/Formal Parallels
Conceptual Parallels
Other Evidence about the Corinthians
The Christological Saying (Matthew 11:27/Luke 10:22)

THE PARABLE OF THE VINEYARD TENANTS

CONCLUSION ON THE CONNECTIONS

4. WHY THE CRUCIFIXION?

I. Comparing Jesus and Paul

JESUS AND HIS DEATH

Did Jesus Expect His Own Death?
Why Jesus Was Executed
Jesus' View

PAUL'S UNDERSTANDING OF THE DEATH OF JESUS

Eschatology and Fulfillment
Human Sin and Divine Grace
Redemption
An Atoning Sacrifice
Dying with Christ

FINAL COMMENTS ON THE COMPARISON

II. Connecting Jesus and Paul

THE SUPPER

BAPTISM INTO DEATH

The Synoptic Texts
Baptism into Death in Paul

CONCLUSIONS ON THE CONNECTIONS

5. JESUS AND THE COMMUNITY

I. Comparing Jesus and Paul

JESUS, JUDAISM, AND THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH

Apostolic Mission
The Twelve
The Lost Sheep of the House of Israel
The Church
The Temple
The Gentiles

JEWS, GENTILES, AND THE CHURCH IN PAUL

To the Jew First and Also to the Greek
Temple of the Holy Spirit
The Church "in Christ" and as a "Body"

FINAL COMMENTS ON THE COMPARISON

II. Connecting Jesus and Paul

THE MISSION DISCOURSE

The Evidence of 1 Corinthians 9
Other Evidence from Matthew
Summary and Conclusion

THE TWELVE AND PETER

THE TEMPLE

The Church as the Temple
The Individual as the Temple
Corporate and Individual Temple

CHURCH DISCIPLINE

CONCLUSIONS ON THE CONNECTIONS

6. LIVING IN LOVE

I. Comparing Jesus and Paul

JESUS' ETHICAL TEACHING

The Demand for Perfection
Jesus' "Liberalism"
Jesus and the Law

CHRISTIAN LIVING IN PAUL

The Law
The Spirit and the Flesh
Love in Church and Society
The Centrality of Jesus

FINAL COMMENTS ON THE COMPARISON

II. Connecting Jesus and Paul

THE MARRIAGE ISSUE

Divorce
One Flesh
Celibacy

ENEMIES, AUTHORITIES, OUTSIDERS

Returning Good for Evil
Respect for Caesar
Light and Salt

LOVE ONE ANOTHER

Neighbor Love as Fulfillment of the Law
Loving One Another: The Law of Christ
Caring for the Weak
Humble Serving

OATHS

FLESH AND SPIRIT

Putting to Death the Deeds of the Body
Flesh and Spirit

CONCLUSIONS ON THE CONNECTIONS

Additional Notes

THE DIVORCE SAYINGS IN THE SYNOPTICS

GALATIANS 3:28 AND BAPTISM

THE "LOVE YOUR ENEMIES" TRADITIONS OF MATTHEW 5:38-48/LUKE 6:27-36

FURTHER POSSIBLE ECHOES OF MATTHEW 5:38-48/LUKE 6:27-36

7. THE FUTURE COMING OF THE LORD

I. Comparing Jesus and Paul

JESUS' TEACHING

The Salvation of the People of God
Coming Judgment
Near, and Yet . . .
Living in the Interim

PAUL'S VIEW OF THE FUTURE

The Nearness of the Lord's Coming
Before the Lord's Coming
On That Day

FINAL COMMENTS ON THE COMPARISON

II. Connecting Jesus and Paul

1 THESSALONIANS 4 AND 5

"The Word of the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 4:15)
The Thief in the Night
Sleeping and Keeping Awake
The Stewards
The Lord's Sudden Coming

2 THESSALONIANS 2

The Call Not to Be Shaken or Misled
A Terrible Event Must Precede the End
Misleading Signs and Wonders

1 THESSALONIANS 2:15, 16

The Sayings in Matthew 23:29-38/Luke 11:47-51
Wrath in 1 Thessalonians 2:16 and Luke 21:23

THE CALL TO SUFFER

CONCLUSIONS ON THE CONNECTIONS

Additional Notes

THE ESCHATOLOGICAL PARABLES

THE TRUMPET

SUGGESTIONS CONCERNING THE "WORD OF THE LORD" IN 1 THESSALONIANS 4:15

IS LUKE 21:34-36 DEPENDENT ON 1 THESSALONIANS 5:3-8?

"FILLING UP SINS"

8. JESUS' LIFE AND MINISTRY

THE BIRTH OF JESUS

JESUS' BAPTISM AND TEMPTATION

The Likelihood That Paul Knew of Jesus' Baptism
Jesus' Baptism and Christian Baptism
The Temptation

THE MINISTRY, MIRACLES, AND LIFESTYLE OF JESUS AND THE APOSTLES

Jesus and Miracles
Jesus' Lifestyle and Style of Ministry

THE TRANSFIGURATION

The Evidence of 2 Corinthians 3:1-4:6
Other Observations

THE PASSION

THE RESURRECTION AND EXALTATION

1 Corinthians 15:3-9 and the Gospel Resurrection Accounts
Jesus' Exaltation

CONCLUSIONS

9. THE QUESTION OF PAUL AND JESUS

SUMMARY OF CHAPTERS 2-8

THE THEOLOGIES OF JESUS AND PAUL

Overlap
Differences

JESUS-TRADITION KNOWN TO PAUL

Highly Probable Connections (and Associated Material)
Other Probable Connections
Plausible Connections
Gospel Traditions Known to Paul

PAUL'S USE OF THE TRADITION

Where and How Does Paul Use It?
Where Did Paul Get His Knowledge of Jesus?
What Was Paul's Attitude to the Jesus-Tradition?
Why Does Paul Refer to Jesus' Life and Ministry So Seldom?

FOLLOWER OF JESUS OR FOUNDER OF CHRISTIANITY?

ADDITIONAL NOTE: THE FORM OF PAUL'S "GOSPEL"

WORKS CITED

INDEXES

Index of Biblical References
Index of Modern Authors
Index of Subjects

Editorial Reviews

Anvil (U.K.)
"Bound to become a standard text."

Biblical Interpretation
"A valuable contribution to an important subject."

Booklist
"Even readers who are not convinced by Wenham's argument will be impressed by the breadth of material assembled here. The book will prove particularly useful to serious students seeking an overview of the scholarly debate regarding Paul's place in early Christianity and some suggestions regarding points of entry."

Catholic Biblical Quarterly
"Wenham has produced a thought-provoking and very convincing study. Some of his conclusions will be controversial, but his general thesis and his discussion of particular passages are convincing. It is an excellent summary and a careful guide for future studies in this area."

Choice
"Besides filling a lacuna in scholarship, the book is lucid and careful."

Church Times
"There are many fresh suggestions here, to provoke scholarly discussion."

Journal for the Study of the New Testament
"This study is one to be highly commended both from a methodological standpoint and from an exegetical one."

Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
"An important contribution to contemporary scholarship. . . Wenham has made a pivotal contribution to this very important area of study. He has produced a work that is scholarly in its use of modern Biblical criticism, evenhanded in its presentation of differing views, judicious in its evaluation of the data, and persuasive in its defense of his thesis. . . This volume will have to be consulted by any who attempt to write on the Jesus—Paul question in the future."

Library Journal
"He makes a strong case that most, but not all, of Paul's beliefs conform to the received Jesus tradition. This work is accessible to persistent, knowledgeable lay readers."

The Living Church
"Wenham's book is a much appreciated education and a striking success."

Themelios
"The persuasiveness with which Wenham argues his case, and the far-reaching implications of his thesis for both gospel and Pauline studies, make this book a significant contribution to both fields. . . This study deserves a wide readership among students and professional scholars alike, and promised to make an enduring contribution to the theological study of the NT."

Theology (U.K.)
"The work is wide ranging and well researched, yet it remains accessible."

From the Publisher

Bound to become a standard text.

Anvil (U.K.)

A valuable contribution to an important subject.

Biblical Interpretation

Wenham has produced a thought-provoking and very convincing study. Some of his conclusions will be controversial, but his general thesis and his discussion of particular passages are convincing. It is an excellent summary and a careful guide for future studies in this area.

Catholic Biblical Quarterly

Besides filling a lacuna in scholarship, the book is lucid and careful.

Choice

There are many fresh suggestions here, to provoke scholarly discussion.

Church Times

This study is one to be highly commended both from a methodological standpoint and from an exegetical one.

Journal for the Study of the New Testament

"An important contribution to contemporary scholarship.... Wenham has made a pivotal contribution to this very important area of study. He has produced a work that is scholarly in its use of modern Biblical criticism, evenhanded in its presentation of differing views, judicious in its evaluation of the data, and persuasive in its defense of his thesis....This volume will have to be consulted by any who attempt to write on the Jesus—Paul question in the future."

Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society

Wenham's book is a much appreciated education and a striking success.

The Living Church

The persuasiveness with which Wenham argues his case, and the far-reaching implications of his thesis for both gospel and Pauline studies, make this book a significant contribution to both fields.... This study deserves a wide readership among students and professional scholars alike, and promised to make an enduring contribution to the theological study of the NT.

Themelios

The work is wide ranging and well researched, yet it remains accessible.

Theology (U.K.)

Oxford New Testament lecturer Wenham revisits an often debated question (his nonexhaustive bibliography exceeds 16 pages): Was Paul thoroughly aware of Jesus' life and teaching, or did he largely create Christianity himself? Most of the discussion utilizes close comparison of brief passages from the Epistles to the final written Gospels, which they predate. Wenham points out both parallels and divergences, considering how Paul's writings and teachings may have influenced the oral traditions and early written texts that coalesced into the Gospels, and vice versa. He makes a strong case that most, but not all, of Paul's beliefs conform to the received Jesus tradition. This work is accessible to persistent, knowledgeable lay readers.-Richard S. Watts, San Bernardino Cty. Lib., Cal.

Library Journal