lan Warner
Christianity started as a Judaism movement when foreign powers politically and culturally dominated Jews. They have found their community linchpin in their religion as well. This was interesting as they neither found such a linchpin in cultural achievement nor politics.
Beginning with Amos during the 8th century, Israel’s religion has been marked with a lot of tension between the monotheism concept, along with its universal ideal of salvation for every nation, and the notion of the special selection of Israel by God.
During the Hellenistic era, Jews were dispersed throughout the eastern Mediterranean. The Roman Empire reinforced its universalistic tendency. However, foreign rulers still attempted to impose their culture on the Jews. Antiochus IV Epiphanes, the king of Syria, imposed the Greek culture, causing the revolution of Antiochus and Judas Maccabeus.
As for Palestinian Judaism, exclusiveness and separation became predominant. The Jewish missionaries were expected to impose their culture and customs, such as kosher food, Sabbaths, and circumcision. Then again, there are some Jews who welcomed the Greek culture and accepted converts. They did not require circumcision either.
In essence, the relations between early Christians and Jews were based on these two factors: Jesus’ messianic role and the Mosaic Law’s permanent validity.
Jesus of Nazareth and the Early Church
The four Gospels of the New Testament are the primary source of knowledge of Jesus Christ or Jesus of Nazareth. In addition to this, several non-canonical sources, such as the apocryphal gospels, contain tales about Jesus.
The Gospel of Thomas, preserved in a Coptic library, contains sayings about Jesus. It also contains canonical sayings. The letters of Paul contain independent confirmations of the Gospel tradition. Even though non-Christian sources, such as references from historians Josephus, Suetonius, and Tacitus, as well as the Talmudic texts, are quite negligible, they still refute the notion that Jesus of Nazareth never existed.
In fact, the Gospels of Mark, Luke, and Matthew are all closely related in terms of content, form, and structure. They can be analyzed in a synopsis or parallel columns. Hence, they are also commonly referred to as the Synoptic Gospels.
It is presumed that Mark may have been used by Luke and Matthew, who may have used the Q Gospel as well. The Q Gospel was derived from the German word “Quelle,” which means “source.” Q is the hypothetical Gospel from which the later Gospels originated.
The Gospel of John, for instance, differs in content and pattern but preserves good historical information and is rich in theological interpretation. The Gospels have not detached reports but rather writings that fulfill the religious needs of early Christian communities.
Apologetic and legendary motifs and many different preoccupations in communities can be distinguished as influences on their narratives. Even though many details in the Gospels are still subjects of uncertainty and disagreement, scholarly consensus still accepts the Gospels as truthful accounts.
Is Jesus the Founder of Christianity?
Who Was the Founder of Christianity? The short answer to this question is “no.” Jesus Christ or Jesus of Nazareth is not the founder of Christianity.
So, if Jesus is not the founder, then who is?
Well, the stories of Jesus Christ and early Christianity remain subjects of public interest. Whoever founded Christianity also continues to be a subject of debate today.
If we examine the roots of Christianity, we will come to two notable figures of the time: Paul and Jesus.
Paul was viewed as a great interpreter. In fact, he was regarded as one of the most influential and important figures in history. He became well-known for interpreting and delivering the mission of Jesus.
Jesus, on the other hand, is regarded by many Christians as the actual founder of Christianity. The events of His life were viewed as the groundwork of the religion.
Then again, Christianity is a religion that is based on Jesus of Nazareth and His teachings. So, without Jesus and His teachings, Paul would have no mission to interpret and deliver. There would be no Christianity.
Moreover, a lot of skeptics believe that Paul merely hijacked early Christianity. They argue that he changed the theology of what Jesus of Nazareth originally preached.
According to Christian teachings, Jesus met Paul, then called ‘Saul,’ while on a trip. Paul was on his way to Damascus to persecute Christians. He was a Pharisee and did not believe in the teachings of Jesus.
While on the road, Paul became blind for three days. He waited for a follower of Jesus to heal him and make him see again. Once healed, he immediately changed his ways and became a believer in Jesus.
He started to spread the Gospel, which included messages about the atonement of sins through the death of Jesus, to Gentiles and Jews. Paul aimed to spread the message that anyone can be saved through faith.
If this is the case, why do some people view Paul as a person who hijacked Christianity? He obeyed Jesus and spread his messages and teachings.
Furthermore, neither Paul nor Jesus attempted to start a religion. It was not their intention to start Christianity. All they did was deliver powerful messages related to God.
Nicholas Thomas Wright, a New Testament scholar and author, wrote that neither Paul nor Jesus announced a new religion. When Paul spread the Gospel, people were awakened. They experienced new depths.
However, the message has always been that of people being shown the truth, the true ways of being human beings. So, if this is what religion means, then Paul and Jesus viewed religion as human beings. They thought of it as life and being children of God. They both spread powerful messages about God.
Final Thoughts
Christianity was neither founded by Jesus nor Paul. Nevertheless, they were both essential figures of the religion. Christian doctrines are mainly derived from the teachings of Paul, but these teachings would not exist without Jesus.
In essence, Jesus was a foundation, and Paul was a witness. They were both important. Christianity would not have a foundation without Jesus. Likewise, Christians would not be able to understand the life and death of Jesus as well as Salvation without Paul. It was Paul who transformed the message and beliefs of Jesus into powerful movements that formed Christianity.
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