The New Testament
A Historical and Theological Introduction
Materials available for professors by request only
Chapter
18. Jesus and Paul
Questions for Research and Discussion
- A friend claims that Paul invented Christianity and completely distorted or ignored the real teachings and deeds of the historical Jesus. Reconstruct an imaginary conversation presenting the arguments of both sides.
- Explore the continuity and discontinuity between Jesus and Paul and explain the reasons for both.
- If we put together the allusions to the earthly Jesus found in Paul鈥檚 letters, how might that picture of Jesus compare to that in the Synoptics? What about in comparison to John?
- Paul鈥檚 doctrine of justification by faith is often the theological tenet most readily pointed out as being absent in the teachings of Jesus. Is this observation fair? Why or why not?
- Compare and contrast the christologies of the Evangelists with that of Paul.