Paul

Shift of focus from Jesus' teachings to significance of his life, crucifixion and resurrection.

Biographical Outline

From Tarsus in Asia Minor, Roman Citizen.

Pharisee, assigned to fight Christianity.

"The Road to Damascus"--Vision of Jesus (Acts 9), becomes committed to Jesus.

Traveled through world preaching his message, setting up and guiding churches (through epistles).

Imprisoned, dies in captivity in Rome.

Central themes of Paul's thought.

• Rejection of Law as a means of salvation:
• Salvation through faith in the atoning power of the crucifixion.
• Humans are basically sinful and cannot be saved through their own merit. Only the crucifixion can achieve this.
• Grace (agapé).
• Image of Abraham--Had faith in God before observing any commandments.
• Law is external to people. It tells them what to do, but does not transform them internally.

Mission to Gentiles:

Conflict in Church between:

• Jerusalem leadership (James Jesus's brother etc.) saw themselves as movement WITHIN Judaism, would not accept gentiles unless they converted to Judaism (through circumcision, etc.).
• Paul emphasized mission to the gentiles, without requiring conversion.

Resolution:

• Establishment of minimal observances for non-Jewish converts.

Jewish Christianity eventually dies out, rejected by Jews and gentile Christians-- Ebionites.

Opposition to "Hellenizing" in Church:

• Rejection of Gnostic ideas
  • Salvation cannot be achieved through the intellect.
  • Physical morality and social ethics are important.
  • Opposed to both extreme asceticism (self-denial) and libertinism