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Jesus and Paul before Christianity : their world and work in retrospect PDF

310 Pages·2011·1.84 MB·English
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Jesus and Paul before Christianity Their World and Work in Retrospect V. GEORGE SHILLINGTON CASCADE Books - Eugene, Oregon JESUS AND PAUL BEFORE CHRISTIANITY Their World and Work in Retrospect Copyright © 2011 V. George Shillington. All rights reserved. Except for brief quotations in critical publications or reviews, no part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission from the publisher. Write: Permissions, Wipf and Stock Publishers, 199 W. 8th Ave., Suite 3, Eugene, OR 97401. Cascade Books An Imprint of Wipf and Stock Publishers 199 W. 8th Ave., Suite 3 Eugene, OR 97401 www.wipfandstock.com isbn 13: 978-1-60899-694-0 Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989 by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The map of Palestine and the map of the New Testament World are from The Believers Church Bible Commentary, Mark, © 2001. Herald Press, Scottdale PA 15683. Used by permission. Cataloging-in-Publication data: Shillington, V. G. (V. George) Jesus and Paul before Christianity : their world and work in retrospect / V. George Shillington. p. ; cm. — Includes bibliographical references and index(es). isbn 13: 978-1-60899-694-0 1. JESUS CHRIST—HISTORICITY. 2. Paul, the Apostle, Saint. I. Title BS2361.3 S45 2011 Manufactured in the U.S.A. for Connal . . . latest grandchild, delightful addition to our family Preface My interest in finding helpful ways of viewing the historical figures of Jesus and Paul began in 1978 at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. I had written an essay in a seminar on Paul, under the tutelage of E. P. Sanders, and found myself bewildered by the strange presence (or absence) of Jesus in the letters of Paul. The essay eventually turned into a full-length dissertation, “The Figure of Jesus in the Typological Thought of Paul.” I was not impressed with the century-long scholarly debate in which the two figures were either pitted against each other, or seen as pleasantly living in the same social and theological space. Since that first encounter with the issue, I have since taught courses on Jesus and the Gospels, and on Paul and the Letters, and have written articles and books related to one or the other. I discovered along the way that the differences between Jesus and Paul were not merely those of scholarly observations of New Testament specialists, but also the impression of non-specialist readers. In group- discussions with lay people I found that a number objected to the character of Paul for one reason or another: he is arrogant, talks about himself too much, refuses to listen to the good counsel of his friends, dishonors women. Jesus, on the other hand, is “meek and lowly of heart,” likable and kind. Somehow the people who find Jesus so attractive fail to notice that the people responsible for running the affairs of the society in which Jesus lived crucified him. My toying with the idea of writing a book about both historical figures came to a head in 2002. That year Professor Seán Freyne was the guest lecturer for the J. J. Thiessen Lectures in Winnipeg, Canada. In the course of conversation with him about my ongoing conversation about Jesus and Paul, he suggested I commit to writing a book about the two figures for the benefit of others. Now, in the spring of 2011, the work is done. I hope the readers, both specialist and non- specialist alike, will find something worthwhile for their life and thought from the picture I have painted in the following pages of the two most formidable figures at the gateway of what was to become Christianity. I have many people to thank, too many to mention, all of them mentors and coaches in their own right. Some deserve recognition here for their direct involvement in my work. My son, Ralph, listened to my many musings, read some questionable discussions, and offered advice for revisions. I have valued his insight, enthusiasm, and personal support for the project. Part way through the writing of the book, Eckhard Goerz invited me to present four lectures in a class of thoughtful adults on the world and work of Jesus. The participants offered helpful feedback, some of which comes through in the ensuing discussions. A number of friends and colleagues agreed to read the manuscript, and graciously allowed their names to be associated with my work. For that generous gift I offer sincere gratitude: William Campbell, Philip Esler, Seán Freyne, Tim Rogalsky, Arthur Walker-Jones, Mark Nanos, Gordon Zerbe, and Rev. Tony Davidson. Thank you all! Editor, Chris Spinks, saw the project through from an initial conversation at the Society of Biblical Literature, to the finished product. He, along with the efficient staff at Wipf & Stock Publishers, have my unqualified vote of thanks for a job well done. Finally, I congratulate my wife, Grace, for putting up with my endless talk about Jesus and Paul over the last few years. I could not have a better conversation partner. Thank you! —Winnipeg, April 2011 Abbreviations SCRIPTURES Gen. Genesis Exod. Exodus Lev. Leviticus Num. Numbers Deut. Deuteronomy Josh. Joshua Judg. Judges Sam. 1–2 Samuel Kgs. 1–2 Kings Chron. 1–2 Chronicles Neh. Nehemiah Ps. Psalms Prov. Proverbs Eccl. Ecclesiastes Isa. Isaiah Jer. Jeremiah Lam. Lamentations Ezek. Ezekiel Dan. Daniel Hos. Hosea Obad. Obadiah Mic. Micah Nah. Nahum Hab. Habakkuk Zeph. Zephaniah Hag. Haggai Zech. Zechariah Mal. Malachi Matt. Matthew Rom. Romans Cor. 1–2 Corinthians Gal. Galatians Eph. Ephesians Phil. Philippians Col. Colossians Thess. 1–2 Thessalonians Tim. 1–2 Timothy Tit. Titus Phlm. Philemon Heb. Hebrews Pet. 1–2 Peter Rev. Revelation OTHER REFERENCED WORKS Ant Josephus, Jewish Antiquities ASV American Standard Version BBR Bulletin for Biblical Research BI Biblical Interpretation BJRL Bulleting of the John Rylands Library. BTB Biblical Theological Bulletin CEB Common English Bible DSS Dead Sea Scrolls Gos. Eb. Gospel of the Ebionites Gos. Heb. Gospel of the Hebrews Gos. Naz. Gospel of the Nazarenes Gos. Thom. Gospel of Thomas HTR Harvard Theological Review Int Interpretation J. W. Josephus, Jewish War JBL Journal of Biblical Literature JSNT Journal for the Study of the New Testament KJV King James Version, (otherwise Authorized Version) Macc. 1–2 Maccabees NASB New American Standard Bible NEB New English Bible NRSV New Revised Standard Version NTS New Testament Studies Ps. Sol. Psalms of Solomon USQR Union Seminary Quarterly Review Wis. Wisdom of Solomon

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