James D. Tabor, a renowned biblical scholar and historian of early Christianity, has contributed significantly to understanding the origins of the Christian faith. One of his most compelling arguments, outlined in his works such as Paul and Jesus: How the Apostle Transformed Christianity, is that the Apostle Paul played a decisive role in creating what we now recognize as Christianity. According to Tabor, Paul diverged from the original teachings of Jesus of Nazareth and established a theological framework that redefined Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.
Tabor’s provocative thesis has sparked intense debates among scholars, theologians, and lay readers alike. To better understand his argument, we must examine Paul’s background, his theological innovations, and how his influence shaped the Christian faith as we know it today.
Who Was Paul?
Paul, originally named Saul of Tarsus, was a Pharisee and devout Jew who zealously opposed the early Jesus movement. According to the New Testament, he experienced a dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus, after which he became one of the most influential figures in spreading the message of Jesus.
Tabor highlights that Paul’s role in early Christianity was unique. Unlike the original apostles, who were close companions of Jesus during his ministry, Paul never met Jesus in the flesh. His knowledge of Jesus came through what he described as divine revelations. This distinction, Tabor argues, is crucial to understanding Paul’s approach to faith and theology.
Jesus and the Kingdom of God
To grasp the differences between Jesus and Paul, we must first look at Jesus’ original message. Scholars agree that Jesus preached about the imminent arrival of the Kingdom of God—a transformative age of divine justice, peace, and restoration. His teachings, rooted in Jewish eschatology, called for repentance, ethical living, and fidelity to God’s commandments.
Tabor emphasizes that Jesus’ focus was not on founding a new religion but on reforming Judaism and preparing his followers for the coming of God’s reign. He maintained a strong connection to Jewish law (Torah) and traditions, as seen in his frequent references to the Hebrew Scriptures.
Paul’s Radical Departure
Tabor argues that Paul fundamentally transformed Jesus’ teachings, creating a new theological framework that eventually became the foundation of Christianity. While the early apostles, such as Peter and James (the brother of Jesus), continued to operate within a Jewish context, Paul introduced ideas that diverged significantly from this framework.
Jesus as the Divine Savior
Paul elevated Jesus from a Jewish prophet and teacher to a cosmic, divine figure. In Paul’s letters, Jesus is depicted as the preexistent Son of God who came to earth, died for humanity’s sins, and rose from the dead to bring salvation to all. This interpretation goes far beyond the historical Jesus’ self-understanding and mission.For example, in Philippians 2:6-11, Paul describes Jesus as existing “in the form of God” and taking on human form to fulfill a divine plan. Tabor notes that this Christological vision laid the groundwork for later doctrines such as the Trinity and the Incarnation.
The Centrality of Faith over Works
One of Paul’s most revolutionary ideas was the doctrine of justification by faith. Paul argued that salvation came not through adherence to the Jewish law but through faith in Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection. This idea is most clearly articulated in Romans 3:28, where Paul declares, “For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.”Tabor points out that this emphasis on faith over works represented a dramatic departure from the Torah-centric practices of Jesus and his earliest followers. Paul effectively universalized the message of Jesus, making it accessible to Gentiles (non-Jews) by removing the requirement to follow Jewish law.
A New Covenant
Paul introduced the concept of a “new covenant,” superseding the covenant between God and Israel. In 2 Corinthians 3:6, Paul describes himself as a minister of this new covenant, which he associates with the Spirit rather than the letter of the law. This theological shift distanced Paul’s teachings from the Jewish roots of the Jesus movement.
Conflict with the Jerusalem Apostles
Tabor highlights the tension between Paul and the original apostles, particularly James and Peter. These early leaders of the Jesus movement remained deeply rooted in Jewish tradition and viewed Jesus as the Messiah within a Jewish framework. They emphasized adherence to the Torah and the continuation of Jewish practices among Jesus’ followers.
Paul’s mission to the Gentiles and his rejection of Torah observance created significant conflict. In Galatians 2, Paul recounts a confrontation with Peter in Antioch over the issue of Gentile inclusion and dietary laws. Tabor interprets this episode as evidence of a fundamental rift between Paul and the Jerusalem apostles.
Despite these tensions, Paul’s vision ultimately prevailed, largely due to his prolific writings and the spread of his ideas through the Roman Empire. By the time the Gospels were written, decades after Jesus’ death, Paul’s theological framework had already become dominant within the emerging Christian community.
The Birth of “Christianity”
Tabor argues that Paul’s influence effectively transformed the Jesus movement into a new religion—what we now call Christianity. While Jesus and his earliest followers operated within a Jewish context, Paul universalized the message, emphasizing faith in Jesus’ atoning death and resurrection as the path to salvation for all humanity.
This transformation had profound implications. By detaching Jesus from the Jewish law and reinterpreting his mission in cosmic terms, Paul created a faith that could transcend ethnic and cultural boundaries. This universal appeal helped Christianity spread rapidly throughout the Roman world, eventually becoming a major world religion.
Critiques of Tabor’s View
Tabor’s thesis is not without controversy. Critics argue that his distinction between Jesus and Paul may be overstated. Some scholars contend that Paul’s ideas were not as innovative as Tabor suggests and that elements of Paul’s theology can be traced back to Jesus himself or the broader Jewish tradition.
Others question whether Paul’s letters, which form a significant portion of the New Testament, represent a radical break or a natural evolution of Jesus’ message. They point out that Paul saw himself as a servant of Christ and believed he was faithfully interpreting Jesus’ teachings for a Gentile audience.
The Legacy of Paul
Regardless of one’s stance on Tabor’s arguments, it is undeniable that Paul’s writings have had an enormous impact on Christian theology and practice. His letters, written decades before the Gospels, are some of the earliest Christian documents and provide invaluable insights into the beliefs and struggles of the early church.
Tabor’s work challenges us to reconsider the origins of Christianity and the role of Paul in shaping its core doctrines. By highlighting the differences between Jesus’ teachings and Paul’s theology, Tabor invites readers to explore the diversity of thought within the early Jesus movement and reflect on how this diversity continues to shape Christian faith today.
Conclusion
James D. Tabor’s argument that Paul “created” Christianity offers a fascinating lens through which to view the origins of the faith. While Jesus’ teachings focused on the Kingdom of God and adherence to Jewish law, Paul reinterpreted his message in universal terms, emphasizing faith, grace, and salvation. This shift allowed Christianity to grow beyond its Jewish roots and become a global religion.
Whether one agrees with Tabor’s conclusions or not, his work underscores the importance of understanding the historical and theological dynamics of the early church. Paul’s vision of Christianity has shaped the beliefs of billions, making his story—and Tabor’s analysis of it—essential to understanding the development of the world’s largest religion.
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