Did Paul invent Christianity?
Issue 378: March, 2010
It's nearly Easter. So it must be about time for someone, somewhere to publish their take on Jesus. Wait, what was that? Philip Pullman is selling his new book, The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ starting in April. What a surprise!
Pullman has this to say about his new book:
I've always been fascinated by the two parts of the name of Jesus Christ, and by the difference between them. Another thing that's interested me for a long time is the way in which the Christian church began to formulate its beliefs and establish a canon of scripture: there were many more gospels than four, but why were those four chosen and others left out? When did Paul begin to write his epistles? Was what he said different from what the gospels say? Do the gospels even agree with one another? Was there a difference between Jesus and Christ?1
We thought that rather than giving Pullman the first word, we'd ask historian Paul Barnett to share his thoughts on whether the apostle invented Christianity. We hope that you'll find it helpful.
Unlike many of our recent Briefings, which have been strongly themed, this one is a bit eclectic. Hopefully there's something for everyone: there's a fascinating interview with Carl Trueman about everything from the local church to the value of theological education, and there's a wonderful article on discipling women by Jean Williams. Scott Newling also shares some interesting reflections on his reading of Tim Keller's The Reason for God.
We hope, as usual, that this Briefing will stimulate you to godly thinking and holy action. PG
Endnote
1 http://www.philip-pullman.com/pages/news/index.asp?NewsID=39.
Up front
- Sergio, evangelism and customer service
- Please hurt me, I'm not a masochist
- How to encourage your kids' Sunday school teachers
- Trees not trains
- Does your church believe in the clarity of Scripture?
- What is Christ-centred worship?
- Biblical tolerance—Phillip Jensen exposes what tolerance is and why it is not the highest human virtue.
Features
- Did the Apostle Paul invent Christianity?—The Apostle Paul been called everything from “the genius of hatred” for misrepresenting Jesus to the “second founder of Christianity”. But are these accusations justified? Paul Barnett investigates.
- Countercultural rebellion—Paul Grimmond catches up with Carl Trueman, Academic Dean and Professor of Historical Theology and Church History at Westminster Theological Seminary, to chat about the local church, evangelism, ministry training, evangelicalism, the uniqueness of Scripture and Anglicanism. (Download the podcast of this interview: MP3 32:26 min.)
Departments
Pastor's brief
- Woman to woman: Answering the call of Titus 2—Jean Williams talks about discipleship, women's ministry, and how to become the sort of woman who has been shaped and moulded by the word of God. (View further resources on this article.)
Bookshelf
- The Reason for God by Tim Keller—Scott Newling evaluates this readable introduction to the gospel.
- Outrageous Mercy by William P Farley—Geoff Robson explains why he's glad we made him read yet another book on the cross.
Resource talk
- Growing to know God—Alison Mitchell introduces a helpful resource for reading the Bible with toddlers. (Printed in the UK edition only.)
Bible brief
- Daily readings on mercy—by Jon Guyer.
