Paul and Jesus
Books | Art / Subjects & Themes / Religious
James D. Tabor
In this “compulsively readable exploration of the tangled world of Christian origins” (Publishers Weekly), religious historian James Tabor illuminates the earliest years of Jesus’ teachings before Paul shaped them into the religion we know today.This fascinating examination of the earliest years of Christianity reveals how the man we call St. Paul shaped Christianity as we know it today. Historians know almost nothing about the two decades following the crucifixion of Jesus, when his followers regrouped and began to spread his message. During this time Paul joined the movement and began to preach to the gentiles. Using the oldest Christian documents that we have—the letters of Paul—as well as other early Christian sources, historian and scholar James Tabor reconstructs the origins of Christianity. Tabor shows how Paul separated himself from Peter and James to introduce his own version of Christianity, which would continue to develop independently of the message that Jesus, James, and Peter preached. Paul and Jesus illuminates the fascinating period of history when Christianity was born out of Judaism.
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Author
James D. Tabor
Pages
320
Publisher
Simon and Schuster
Published Date
2013-11-26
ISBN
1439123322 9781439123324
Community ReviewsSee all
"Firstly this is a very interesting read- I even ordered a copy and sent it to a friend who I thought it would interest— so I recommend it. The content is solid, but I’m not completely satisfied with the presentation. In the opening chapters, I don’t feel that James Tabor makes it clear where he is going with the book, or what his presuppositions are in writing it. This makes his narrative feel more like a ride and less like an analysis. Maybe that’s what he intended, but if so then I argue he didn’t make clear his select audience. The only parts of the book that I thought were clearly defined were the Introduction, the final chapter, and the Appendix. The latter two should have been opening chapters. That said, if you read this (and again, I suggest you do) I recommend reading the Appendix first. An example is that he delegitimizes several of Paul’s letters in the Appendix- something that would have been helpful to know before reading the entire book about Paul and his letters.<br/>Again, great content, well referenced, but I would love to see it presented in a more broken-down, digestible way. I see he has a similar book on Jesus, so I’m wondering if he wrote this assuming we’ve read that. Most of my lingering questions could most possibly be answered in that book…"
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