Did St Paul get Jesus Right?
The last few years have seen the increasing ‘power’ and appreciation of Philip Pullman’s writing including his recent title, The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ. Pullman argues that while Jesus was a great moral teacher, St Paul corrupted his message by 'imagining' his divinity. This is not a new argument, by any means. Many have called St Paul 'the founder of Christianity'. David Wenham’s new book reasons against such a notion.
In an age of increasing biblical illiteracy, Pullman's claims are likely to be met with less resistance than they might have been previously. In his own words, he describes the book as part novel, part history, and part fairy tale, so this new resource by a respected New Testament authority will help people untangle what scholars know about Jesus and Paul from the 'imaginations' of Mr Pullman. This theory has found its way into academia, churches, newspapers, and, most recently, novels. Comparing the life and message of Jesus with the writings of St. Paul, Wenham offers a pacey, thoughtful and insightful exploration of their relationship, concluding that far from imagining Christianity, Paul was the messenger of an inherited faith.
Wenham’s particular pleasure in making the Bible intelligible and exciting is palpable. This debunking of the popular myth of St. Paul as the founder of Christianity produced by a respected biblical authority is attractively produced and delivered excellently by Lion Hudson. A wonderful and stretching read. Top class!
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