Christianity: A Religion About Jesus, Not the Religion of Jesus

James D. Tabor’s book, Christianity: A Religion About Jesus, Not the Religion of Jesus, challenges conventional understandings of Christian origins. His central thesis is that the Christianity practiced today is primarily a religion about Jesus rather than the religion of Jesus. Tabor argues that Jesus himself was a deeply Jewish figure whose teachings were significantly transformed, particularly by Paul and later church traditions, into something quite distinct from his original message. This article explores the key arguments presented by Tabor, delving into the distinction between Jesus' teachings and the later development of Christianity.

Jesus and His Jewish Context

Tabor emphasizes that Jesus was born, lived, and died as a Jew. His teachings, parables, and worldview were rooted in Second Temple Judaism, focusing on the Kingdom of God, ethical monotheism, and Torah observance. He did not seek to establish a new religion but rather to reform and purify Judaism, calling his followers to greater righteousness and adherence to God’s commandments.

Tabor highlights how Jesus’ message was closely aligned with Jewish apocalyptic traditions. He proclaimed the imminent arrival of God’s kingdom and saw himself as playing a role in this divine drama. His followers likely saw him as a prophet or a messianic figure, but there is little evidence that Jesus himself claimed to be divine in the way later Christian doctrine suggests.

The Role of Paul in Transforming Jesus’ Message

One of Tabor’s central arguments is that Paul played a decisive role in reshaping the movement that Jesus started. While Jesus taught about the coming Kingdom of God and emphasized obedience to Jewish law, Paul shifted the focus to faith in Jesus' death and resurrection as the path to salvation. Paul’s letters make it clear that he saw Jesus as a cosmic, divine figure whose sacrificial death brought redemption to humanity.

Tabor contends that Paul's theology introduced elements foreign to Jesus' teachings, such as the idea that the Mosaic Law was no longer binding and that salvation was now open to Gentiles on the basis of faith alone. In doing so, Paul effectively laid the foundation for a new religion centered on Jesus rather than the message of Jesus. This divergence created an early conflict between Paul and the Jerusalem-based followers of Jesus, including James, the brother of Jesus, and Peter.

The Jerusalem Church vs. Pauline Christianity

Tabor gives special attention to the so-called Jerusalem Church, led by James, the brother of Jesus. According to the Book of Acts and other historical sources, James and his followers remained faithful to Jewish law and saw Jesus as the Jewish Messiah rather than a divine being. They continued to worship in the Temple, observed dietary laws, and maintained their Jewish identity.

Paul, on the other hand, taught that Gentiles did not need to follow the Torah and that Jesus’ death and resurrection superseded the requirements of Jewish law. This fundamental disagreement led to tensions between the two groups, which are evident in Paul’s letters, where he defends his apostleship and his teachings against those who opposed him (Galatians 2:11-14).

Tabor argues that after the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE and the eventual decline of the Jerusalem Church, Paul’s version of Christianity became dominant. Without the leadership of James and other Jewish followers of Jesus, Christianity evolved into a largely Gentile movement, severing many of its Jewish roots.

The Development of Christian Doctrine

Another key aspect of Tabor’s argument is the role of later theological developments in further distancing Christianity from the religion of Jesus. The doctrines of the Trinity, original sin, and substitutionary atonement—core tenets of mainstream Christianity—were not part of Jesus' teachings but emerged over time through the influence of Paul and later church councils.

For example, Jesus' own understanding of God was consistent with Jewish monotheism, in which God was one and indivisible. Yet, within a few centuries, the Christian Church developed the doctrine of the Trinity, presenting Jesus as God incarnate and co-equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Tabor suggests that this theological shift represents a major departure from Jesus’ own beliefs and teachings.

Similarly, the doctrine of original sin, which holds that humanity inherited a sinful nature from Adam and requires redemption through Jesus' sacrificial death, was largely a construct of Pauline theology and later church interpretations. Jesus, in contrast, preached about repentance, righteousness, and God’s mercy without framing human nature in the rigid terms that later Christian doctrine adopted.

Implications for Modern Christianity

Tabor’s thesis raises important questions about the nature of Christian faith today. If Christianity as it exists now is more about Jesus than about following his teachings, should believers re-evaluate their understanding of his message? Tabor does not necessarily call for a return to first-century Jewish Christianity, but he does suggest that a more historically grounded approach to Jesus could lead to a deeper and more authentic faith.

Some scholars and religious groups, such as Messianic Jews and certain Christian movements, have sought to reconnect with the Jewish roots of Jesus’ message. They emphasize Torah observance and see Jesus as the Jewish Messiah within the framework of Judaism rather than as the founder of a new religion. While this view remains a minority position, it reflects the growing interest in understanding Jesus within his original Jewish context.

Conclusion

James D. Tabor’s Christianity: A Religion About Jesus, Not the Religion of Jesus presents a compelling argument that Christianity, as it developed, moved far away from Jesus' original teachings. He illustrates how Paul and later theological developments transformed Jesus' message into something that would have been largely unrecognizable to Jesus himself and his earliest followers.

This book challenges readers to reconsider the foundations of their faith and to distinguish between the historical Jesus and the Christ of Christian theology. Whether one agrees with Tabor’s conclusions or not, his work offers a thought-provoking perspective on the origins of Christianity and its evolution over time.