Paul Was Not a Christian: The Original Message of a Misunderstood Apostle

by Pamela Eisenbaum

Overview

Pamela Eisenbaum, an expert on early Christianity, reveals the true nature of the historical Paul in Paul Was Not a Christian. She explores the idea of Paul not as the founder of a new Christian religion, but as a devout Jew who believed Jesus was the Christ who would unite Jews and Gentiles and fulfill God’s universal plan for humanity. Eisenbaum’s work in Paul Was Not a Christian  will have a profound impact on the way many Christians approach evangelism and how to better follow Jesus’s—and Paul’s—teachings on how to live faithfully today.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780061990205
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	04/16/2024
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	340
Sales rank:	332,391
File size:	745 KB

About the Author

Pamela Eisenbaum is the associate professor of biblical studies and Christian origins at Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado. Eisenbaum is a national media expert on early Christianity and, as a practicing Jew teaching in a Christian seminary, has a unique perspective on the origins of Christianity.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix

Note to the Reader xiii

Introduction 1

1 Was Paul Really Jewish? 5

2 Paul the Problem 10

3 How Paul Became a Christian 32

4 Reading Paul as a Jew-Almost 55

5 Paul's Jewish Inheritance 67

6 Who Is and Who Isn't a Jew? 99

7 The Flexible Pharisees 116

8 Paul the (Ex?)-Pharisee 132

9 A Typical Jew 150

10 A Radical Jewish Monotheist 172

11 On a Mission from God 196

12 "On the Contrary, We Uphold the Law!" 208

13 Justification Through Jesus Christ 240

14 It's the End of the World as We Know It 250

Glossary 257

Notes 259

Bibliography 295

Index 305

What People are Saying About This

Stanley Stowers

Eisenbaum shows the implausibility of the common interpretation of Paul that pits a Christian essence against a superficial or rejected Jewish hull. The book’s great accomplishment is to show us a historically plausible picture of a fully Jewish Paul who was also fully committed to Christ.

Daniel Boyarin

Pamela Eisenbaum’s Paul Was Not a Christian is a clear and effective presentation and extension of the view. . . that Paul remained fully identified with Judaism and the Torah throughout his life. . . It will repay careful reading by interested layfolk and by scholars as well.

Neil Elliott

Eisenbaum’s is one of a few important voices drawing our attention . . . to the continuing tensions and contradictions in Christian readings of Paul . . . This book does more than challenge and inform: it changes the way we think about Paul [and] the origins of Christian faith.

Alan F. Segal

“Paul was not a Christian is well worth careful reading. It is a serious and very clear exposition of what changed and what stayed the same in Paul’s religious life. This book is very highly recommended to both scholars and laypersons as all will gain from it.”

Editorial Reviews

A noted Jewish scholar teaching the New Testament at a Christian seminary, Eisenbaum (The Jewish Heroes of Christian History) presents readers with a distinctive approach to interpreting Paul. In contrast to the most common reading of Paul as a zealous Jew who abandoned his devotion to Pharisaic Judaism following his conversion to Christianity, Eisenbaum portrays Paul as a Jew who lives among Gentiles in a decidedly non-Jewish world and wrestles with the practical issue of how to lead a Jewish lifestyle in the midst of a non-Jewish society. Her interpretation of Paul's struggle to maintain the particularity of his own ethnic and religious identity without denying the validity of others' identities has much to teach our modern world about religious pluralism and the acceptance of human difference. VERDICT In this well-researched and carefully constructed work, Eisenbaum offers a new portrait of a controversial figure that is both plausible and engaging. Jews and Christians seeking a new approach to interfaith dialog may find this a welcome addition. Highly recommended for scholars—this book is sure to inspire discussion.—Brian C. Greene, Northeastern Univ. Libs., Boston

Library Journal

Eisenbaum shows the implausibility of the common interpretation of Paul that pits a Christian essence against a superficial or rejected Jewish hull. The book’s great accomplishment is to show us a historically plausible picture of a fully Jewish Paul who was also fully committed to Christ. — Dr. Stanley Stowers, Chair of Religious Studies, Brown University, and author of A Rereading of Romans: Justice, Jews and Gentiles

Eisenbaum’s is one of a few important voices drawing our attention . . . to the continuing tensions and contradictions in Christian readings of Paul . . . This book does more than challenge and inform: it changes the way we think about Paul [and] the origins of Christian faith. — Neil Elliott, Author of Liberating Paul: The Justice of God and the Politics of the Apostle

Pamela Eisenbaum’s Paul Was Not a Christian is a clear and effective presentation and extension of the view. . . that Paul remained fully identified with Judaism and the Torah throughout his life. . . It will repay careful reading by interested layfolk and by scholars as well. — Dr. Daniel Boyarin, Jewish Theological Seminary, UC Berkeley

“Paul was not a Christian is well worth careful reading. It is a serious and very clear exposition of what changed and what stayed the same in Paul’s religious life. This book is very highly recommended to both scholars and laypersons as all will gain from it.” — Alan F. Segal, Professor of Religion and Jewish Studies Barnard College, Columbia University, Author of Paul the Convert

“In this provocative book, biblical scholar Eisenbaum points out that the traditional Christian portrait of Paul as a former Jew . . . is a misreading of Paul’s life and religious work . . . Eisenbaum’s lively prose and meticulous scholarship provides a compelling new portrait of the apostle. ” — Publishers Weekly

“Professor Eisenbaum offers the general reader the most realistic first-century portrayal of the Apostle Paul ever written.” — Jewish Book World

“According to traditional teachings, Paul rejected his Judaism for the new, improved version: Christianity. Bible scholar Pamela Eisenbaum says this interpretation of Paul is not only wrong, it’s dangerous.” — Interfaith Voices

From the Publisher

Eisenbaum’s is one of a few important voices drawing our attention . . . to the continuing tensions and contradictions in Christian readings of Paul . . . This book does more than challenge and inform: it changes the way we think about Paul [and] the origins of Christian faith.

Neil Elliott

Eisenbaum shows the implausibility of the common interpretation of Paul that pits a Christian essence against a superficial or rejected Jewish hull. The book’s great accomplishment is to show us a historically plausible picture of a fully Jewish Paul who was also fully committed to Christ.

Dr. Stanley Stowers

Paul was not a Christian is well worth careful reading. It is a serious and very clear exposition of what changed and what stayed the same in Paul’s religious life. This book is very highly recommended to both scholars and laypersons as all will gain from it.

Alan F. Segal

According to traditional teachings, Paul rejected his Judaism for the new, improved version: Christianity. Bible scholar Pamela Eisenbaum says this interpretation of Paul is not only wrong, it’s dangerous.

Interfaith Voices

Pamela Eisenbaum’s Paul Was Not a Christian is a clear and effective presentation and extension of the view. . . that Paul remained fully identified with Judaism and the Torah throughout his life. . . It will repay careful reading by interested layfolk and by scholars as well.

Dr. Daniel Boyarin

Professor Eisenbaum offers the general reader the most realistic first-century portrayal of the Apostle Paul ever written.

Jewish Book World

Pamela Eisenbaum’s Paul Was Not a Christian is a clear and effective presentation and extension of the view. . . that Paul remained fully identified with Judaism and the Torah throughout his life. . . It will repay careful reading by interested layfolk and by scholars as well.

Doctor - Daniel Boyarin

Eisenbaum shows the implausibility of the common interpretation of Paul that pits a Christian essence against a superficial or rejected Jewish hull. The book’s great accomplishment is to show us a historically plausible picture of a fully Jewish Paul who was also fully committed to Christ.

Doctor - Stanley Stowers