The founder of Christianity

PaulPaul

A Jew• From Tarsus (Acts)• Circumcised on the eighth day• Member of Israel, the tribe of Benjamin• Hebrew born of Hebrews (Paul spoke Hebrew?)• Pharisee• Studied with Rabbi Gamaliel (according to Acts)

At home in the Gentile world• “Paul” is the Latin version of “Saul”• Fluent written (and spoken) Greek• Roman citizen? (Acts)

Paul’s LifePaul’s Life

Operated in cities• Ephesus, Corinth, Philippi, and Thessalonica• Uses urban metaphors (athlete, citizenship,

slave trade, economic transactions) Worked with a team of missionaries

• Timothy and Titus, Silvanus, Phoebe• Prisca and Aquilla, Apollos

Self-supporting (Paul had a day job) Independent of human authority Suffered for the gospel (2 Cor. 11:24–28)

Paul’s Preaching and MissionPaul’s Preaching and Mission

Preached first in synagogues, then went to the agora (Greek marketplace)

Three missionary journeys Tentmaker Roman citizen Arrested in Jerusalem, bound for Rome Church tradition relates Paul’s death

under Nero in Rome (circa 64 CE)

Paul’s Mission according to ActsPaul’s Mission according to Acts

Gospel of Christ is power and revelation

Jesus died for human sin God raised Jesus from dead to power God’s new age has begun (and will

come to completion in the near future) Paul’s gospel

• No reference to Jesus’ earthly ministry• Christ is God’s resurrection power

Paul’s Theology(drawn from seven undisputed letters)

Paul’s Theology(drawn from seven undisputed letters)

Paul speaks of Christ in relational terms He wants to “know nothing but Christ

and him crucified” Believers are literally united with Christ “Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism

into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead . . . so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.” (Rom. 6:4–5)

In ChristIn Christ

Paul is “multifaceted” and thus requires nuanced interpretation

Paul tells women in Corinth to “be silent”

Paul tells slaves to obey their masters Paul understands governments to be

divinely instituted; they are therefore to be obeyed

Paul makes no direct references to the life and ministry of Jesus

Potential Problems Reading PaulPotential Problems Reading Paul