The New Testament
A Historical and Theological Introduction
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Chapter
18. Jesus and Paul
Questions for Research and Discussion
- A friend claims that Paul invented Christianity and completely distorted or ignored the real teachings and deeds of the historical Jesus. Reconstruct an imaginary conversation presenting the arguments of both sides.
- Explore the continuity and discontinuity between Jesus and Paul and explain the reasons for both.
- If we put together the allusions to the earthly Jesus found in Paul’s letters, how might that picture of Jesus compare to that in the Synoptics? What about in comparison to John?
- Paul’s doctrine of justification by faith is often the theological tenet most readily pointed out as being absent in the teachings of Jesus. Is this observation fair? Why or why not?
- Compare and contrast the christologies of the Evangelists with that of Paul.