Why and How Paul Invented "Christian Theology"

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Published 2014-11-12
On Nov. 11, 2014, leading New Testament scholar N.T. Wright, professor of New Testament and early Christianity at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland and a retired Anglican bishop, presented a lecture on "Why and How Paul Invented Christian Theology."

All Comments (21)
  • Mathew 10:5-6....I came only for the Jews not gentiles or Samaritans??? Paul usurps JC ,James and Peter...hmmm He never met JC and changes entire religion.
  • I don't mean this as any kind of negative comment only a sincere question so I can understand what most theologians are claiming ; are we to regard Paul as infallible ???? Are we to believe Paul spoke to Jesus and that Jesus " dictated to Paul" exactly what he wanted his followers to believe. ??? I am not against that belief but it is a very different belief then one would get reading Acts . Paul hated the other disciples . Did Jesus tell Paul that ??? That Jesus did not want us to follow the disciples ????? I just want to get it straight so we can even discuss it.
  • @FRISHR
    Paul never met Jesus or the original disciples alive. Paul wrote the New Testament and started his Church over 20 years later after Jesus’ death, it doesn’t guarantee that he followed 100% of Jesus’ teachings.
  • @nyqon
    3 reasons: ex-pagan converts didn't like circumcision, sabbath, and dietary restriction.
  • Love your teaching is so good and real marty ...i will be showing it to my family and friends all i can THANK YOU ! ..GOD HAS BLESSED YOU TO THIS FIGHT YES
  • Dear Professor Wright; What wonderful insights and a breath of fresh air you are breathing upon the not only Christianity but the whole of the world. It is my heart-felt belief that it was Jesus' highest prayer that we all learn what it means to live "on earth as it is in heaven." Blessings, Rt. Rev. Charles V. Davis, A.T.O.M.
  • @meteor1237
    Don’t understand how the gentleman knows what Paul said in perhaps only 7 of the 13 letters 2000 years ago? Paul never even knew Jesus. Paul, Joseph Smith and Mohamed all had visions; whose right?
  • Paul was never an original apostle of Yahusha. He even said himself that he was a self-appointed apostle.
  • An additional reason why Paul does not specify how people should work out their salvation is this; his audience were expected to have received the Holy Spirit, which would teach them all things. So, by refraining from teaching them exactly what they were to do to work out their salvation, he submits himself and his ministry to the same Holy Spirit working in him.
  • @susumaung5204
    Happy and Peaceful New year Pastor and big blessings to you all
  • @terezin199
    Mark 1:1 This is the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Paul's message was not new, and although Peter found some things written by Paul complicated, he differed not in the message of the gospel, and it's implications.
  • @sammark5658
    My question would be: On whose authority did Paul do what he did?
  • 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 15 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
  • I think Paul's desire for us to think "Christianly" was very dangerous, for we vary in what we think is Christian Theology is for us, individually. For example, one Christian can use a scripture to promote celibacy as a virtue whereas another Christian can find another scripture in the bible that does not favor celibacy. Thus, this does not promote unity at all. We must find authentic laws about celibacy that are inspired by God we can both agree on. After all, God determines what path is right, not our own theology.
  • Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by rulers as useful
  • @somedandy7694
    So...could we have a lecture about Hell/Gehenna/Tartarus next, and whether or not the vast majority of the world go there?