Why Did Paul Hate Jesus and His Followers?

Next to Jesus, Paul is the most important figure in the history of Christianity, but as is well known, before he was a zealous apostle he was an equally zealous antogonist. What was that all about? Why would a Jew in the Roman world outside Israel even care if a small group of Jews were claiming that Jesus was the messiah who brought salvation? Wouldn't he just write them off as another bunch of crazies? What about their claims did he find so offensive that he had to take them on? And when he took them on, what did he actually do? Was he murdering them? Sending them off to prison? On what authority? Can the NT be right that he was authorized by Jewish authorities? Was he just beating up people he didn't like? These are important questions because the answers can help explain the transformation of Christianity into a world religion. In this episode, we try to figure it all out!

Megan asks Bart:

-What do we usually mean when we talk about Paul's “conversion”, and is it an appropriate term to use here?

-How about “Christianity”? Should we even be using that designation this early in Christian history?

-When Christianity was in its infancy, Paul went from being someone who actively persecuted Christians, to a committed missionary. What reason does Paul give for this shift?

-Did other people claim to have similar visions?

-In the ancient world more broadly, were visions of the supernatural relatively common?

-How would people have understood these visions in the ancient world?

-What do you think really happened to prompt Paul’s conversion?

-Did Paul’s sudden belief affect his personal theology in some way?

-Paul’s conversion appears to have been on the more extreme end of the scale. It’s not like he just started attending a different house of worship, he embarked on a mission of conversion. What is it that prompted such a severe change of direction?

-Is this mission to the gentiles something that we see among other Jewish thinkers, or is it Paul’s personal mission?

-What was the general thought around gentiles converting to Judaism?

-How socially significant would this change have been for Paul?

-A cynical person might suggest that this is a power grab by Paul - the resurrection is starting, and he wants to be on the right side of the fight…and as an added bonus, he can be the one foretold to bring the gentiles in to god. Do you think that’s a valid argument?

[paulabrown]

My devout Southern Baptist grandmother used to say, “When I get to heaven the first thing I will do is have a long talk with Paul. He got most of it wrong”.

[fudgesauce]

When I was in college back in the early to mid 80s, there were often preachers on the "quad" testifying and haranguing students to repent and accept Jesus Christ as their lord and savior. Just about every one of them had some outrageous tale of how bad they were, how lost they were, how they were the lowest of the low until they found Jesus. Obviously, the message is if Jesus can fix the problems of such a person, then certainly Jesus can do it for you, ordinary student.

I have always wondered if Paul's claims of being such a terror to Christians was along those lines -- the fact that he did a 180 is a much stronger message than had Paul said, "I was a so-so Jew that wasn't really happy, but I met some kind Christians and I liked being with them so I began believing the things they told me."

[efandmk]

I've always had issues with Paul. He misquotes and misinterprets Jesus time and again, and nobody seems to question it.

[Looter]

the reason why Matthew is the most read book is because it is the first book in the Gideon's Bible and that's as far as most people get

[LuNa-zwwu]

The way Bart speaks about his wife 🥹🥹🥹♥️♥️♥️

[phiuzu]

Guys be careful there is a deceitful person named TommyPeltier in the comment promoting some scammer named Elizabeth and trying to deceive others that he got 47k $ thanks to her. Also be careful of the scammers replying to the guy and supporting him. They are either bots or other deceitful people

[mrnarason]

New Bart episode, my most excited time of the week!

[think-islam-channel]

So good to see many Christian seeing through this evil deceiver who took people away from the message of God.

Thank God for Islam in reestablishing the pure worship of God and His laws.

[seandmoore]

The most beautiful and freeing thing I ever did was leaving my evangelical fundamentalist christianity in the rear view mirror.

[MichaelYoder]

The Dynamic Duo! A highlight of my week. Thanks, Megan, Bart, et al

[whooley]

I have long considered that Paul went from persecuting Christians to, after his conversion on the road to Damascus, continuing to persecute Christians.

[allsouls]

For his allegiance was to Rome. He made his living from the scam.

[GamelanSinarSurya]

Very provocative title! Can't wait to hear about it all from both of you!

[stephenvanwoert]

I would like to know how come the Romans allowed the murder of Stephen by stoning. I thought Rome abolished Jews' carrying out the death penalty, and that's why Rome carried out Jesus' execution.

[sarjojallow]

My favorite show, Bart is the best! Love from The Gambia !

[adamcosper]

I'm not a scholar, but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't want to sit next to Paul on the bus. Seems like one of those weirdos that would make a trip across town feel like a literal crucifixion.

[john]

OmG she's from Digital Hammurabi right? I feel like such a FREAKING GENIUS when I follow people that are not popular and then they do great things like this.

[VJacquette]

The bit about not getting angry, not lusting, etc., was because Jesus was building a fence around the Torah - like any good rabbi would do. When I don't want the lawn guy to weed-whack my new plant, I put a small barrier around it to draw his attention to that area. If he doesn't weed-whack the little fence, then he can't even accidentally knock down the plant. That's how rabbis teach people to avoid breaking commandments.

[Cometkazie]

Bart says when Paul converted, there was just a handful of Xtns in Jerusalem, yet Paul was apparently on his way to Damascus to discipline the Xtns there. If there were just a few in Jerusalem, how did they manage to have a community in Damascus?

[geraldmeehan]

Between History Valley, MythVision and now Misquoting Jesus, this has been one rough week on Apostle Paul!