How Paul 'invented' Christian Theology

Introduction

James D. Tabor, a prominent scholar of Christian origins, has argued extensively that the Apostle Paul played a decisive role in shaping what we now recognize as Christian theology. In his books and lectures, Tabor contends that Paul did not merely interpret Jesus’ teachings but fundamentally transformed them, creating a theological system that diverged significantly from both the historical Jesus and early Jewish-Christian beliefs. This article explores Tabor’s perspective on how Paul effectively 'invented' Christianity by reinterpreting Jesus’ mission, reshaping soteriology (the doctrine of salvation), and introducing key theological innovations that became central to later Christian doctrine.

The Historical Jesus vs. Paul's Christ

One of Tabor’s primary arguments is that the historical Jesus and the Christ of Paul are strikingly different figures. The Jesus of history, as reconstructed by scholars, was a Jewish apocalyptic preacher who emphasized the coming Kingdom of God, adherence to Jewish law, and social justice. His message was deeply rooted in Jewish eschatology, looking forward to the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel.

Paul, however, presented Jesus as the cosmic Christ, a divine savior whose death and resurrection were the linchpin of a new spiritual movement. According to Tabor, Paul was less concerned with Jesus' earthly ministry and more focused on his supernatural role as the risen Lord. This shift from an apocalyptic prophet to a divine savior figure is, in Tabor’s view, one of Paul's most significant theological inventions.

Paul's Break from Judaism

Tabor emphasizes that Paul's theology represents a break from the Jewish context of Jesus’ teachings. While Jesus upheld the Torah and saw his mission within the framework of Jewish tradition, Paul redefined the role of the Law. In letters such as Romans and Galatians, Paul argues that faith in Christ supersedes the Mosaic Law, making it obsolete as a requirement for salvation (Galatians 3:23-25, Romans 10:4).

This departure from Jewish legal requirements, particularly circumcision and dietary laws, was crucial in transforming Christianity from a Jewish sect into a universal faith. Tabor highlights that Paul’s doctrine of justification by faith alone (sola fide) had little precedent in Jewish thought and marked a radical departure from the teachings of Jesus, who emphasized righteous behavior and obedience to God's commandments.

The Concept of the Atoning Death of Jesus

Another critical theological innovation attributed to Paul is the idea that Jesus' death was an atonement for sin. Tabor points out that the historical Jesus likely did not view his own death in this way. Instead, Jesus' execution was a consequence of his confrontation with Roman and Jewish authorities. However, Paul reinterpreted this event in sacrificial terms, drawing on Jewish traditions of atonement but transforming them into a cosmic salvific event.

In passages such as Romans 3:25 and 1 Corinthians 15:3, Paul presents Jesus as a sacrificial offering whose death provides redemption for humanity. Tabor argues that this theological move was crucial in framing Jesus’ death as a necessary divine plan rather than a tragic martyrdom. This idea laid the foundation for Christian doctrines of substitutionary atonement and original sin—concepts that were later developed by Church fathers but find their earliest articulation in Paul’s writings.

The Resurrection and Mystical Christology

Paul's emphasis on the resurrection is another key element of his theological system. While the earliest followers of Jesus likely believed in some form of resurrection hope, Paul expanded this idea into a mystical union with Christ. Tabor notes that Paul describes believers as being "in Christ" (a phrase that appears frequently in his epistles), meaning they participate spiritually in Jesus' death and resurrection (Romans 6:3-5, 1 Corinthians 15:20-22).

This mystical Christology, where Jesus is not just a historical figure but an ever-present divine force, is distinct from earlier Jewish messianic expectations. Paul envisions Christ as a pre-existent divine being (Philippians 2:6-11) who takes on human form and, through his resurrection, becomes the firstfruits of a new creation. This Christology was far removed from the Jewish concept of the Messiah as a national liberator and instead aligned with Hellenistic ideas of divine saviors and dying-rising gods.

Paul's Role in Universalizing Christianity

Tabor also underscores that Paul was instrumental in transforming Christianity from a Jewish movement into a global religion. By opening the faith to Gentiles and rejecting the requirement for conversion to Judaism, Paul ensured that Christianity could spread beyond its Jewish roots. His missionary efforts, documented in the Acts of the Apostles and his own letters, established Christian communities across the Roman Empire.

This universalizing impulse was revolutionary. Jesus' own mission, according to the Synoptic Gospels, was primarily directed at Israel (Matthew 15:24), but Paul reinterpreted Jesus' significance as a savior for all humanity. His assertion in Galatians 3:28 that “there is neither Jew nor Greek... for you are all one in Christ Jesus” reflects his vision of a faith that transcends ethnic and cultural boundaries.

Conclusion

James D. Tabor’s analysis of Paul highlights the Apostle’s role as the primary architect of Christian theology. Through his reinterpretation of Jesus’ identity, his doctrine of justification by faith, his concept of atoning death, and his universalizing vision, Paul laid the groundwork for what became mainstream Christian belief.

Tabor’s argument suggests that without Paul, Christianity might have remained a small Jewish sect rather than evolving into a global religion. His theological innovations—many of which diverged significantly from Jesus' original message—shaped the course of Christian history and continue to define its doctrinal landscape today. Whether one sees Paul as the true founder of Christianity or as a faithful interpreter of Jesus, his influence on Christian theology is undeniable.