Table Of ContentJesus and Paul before Christianity
Their World and Work in Retrospect
V. GEORGE SHILLINGTON
CASCADE Books - Eugene, Oregon
JESUS AND PAUL BEFORE CHRISTIANITY
Their World and Work in Retrospect
Copyright © 2011 V. George Shillington. All rights reserved. Except for brief quotations in critical
publications or reviews, no part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without prior written
permission from the publisher. Write: Permissions, Wipf and Stock Publishers, 199 W. 8th Ave., Suite 3,
Eugene, OR 97401.
Cascade Books
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199 W. 8th Ave., Suite 3
Eugene, OR 97401
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isbn 13: 978-1-60899-694-0
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible,
copyright © 1989 by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All
rights reserved.
The map of Palestine and the map of the New Testament World are from The Believers Church Bible
Commentary, Mark, © 2001. Herald Press, Scottdale PA 15683. Used by permission.
Cataloging-in-Publication data:
Shillington, V. G. (V. George)
Jesus and Paul before Christianity : their world and work in retrospect / V. George Shillington.
p. ; cm. — Includes bibliographical references and index(es).
isbn 13: 978-1-60899-694-0
1. JESUS CHRIST—HISTORICITY. 2. Paul, the Apostle, Saint. I. Title
BS2361.3 S45 2011
Manufactured in the U.S.A.
for Connal
. . . latest grandchild,
delightful addition to our family
Preface
My interest in finding helpful ways of viewing the historical figures of Jesus and
Paul began in 1978 at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. I had written an
essay in a seminar on Paul, under the tutelage of E. P. Sanders, and found myself
bewildered by the strange presence (or absence) of Jesus in the letters of Paul.
The essay eventually turned into a full-length dissertation, “The Figure of Jesus
in the Typological Thought of Paul.” I was not impressed with the century-long
scholarly debate in which the two figures were either pitted against each other, or
seen as pleasantly living in the same social and theological space.
Since that first encounter with the issue, I have since taught courses on Jesus
and the Gospels, and on Paul and the Letters, and have written articles and books
related to one or the other. I discovered along the way that the differences
between Jesus and Paul were not merely those of scholarly observations of New
Testament specialists, but also the impression of non-specialist readers. In group-
discussions with lay people I found that a number objected to the character of
Paul for one reason or another: he is arrogant, talks about himself too much,
refuses to listen to the good counsel of his friends, dishonors women. Jesus, on
the other hand, is “meek and lowly of heart,” likable and kind. Somehow the
people who find Jesus so attractive fail to notice that the people responsible for
running the affairs of the society in which Jesus lived crucified him.
My toying with the idea of writing a book about both historical figures came
to a head in 2002. That year Professor Seán Freyne was the guest lecturer for the J.
J. Thiessen Lectures in Winnipeg, Canada. In the course of conversation with
him about my ongoing conversation about Jesus and Paul, he suggested I
commit to writing a book about the two figures for the benefit of others. Now, in
the spring of 2011, the work is done. I hope the readers, both specialist and non-
specialist alike, will find something worthwhile for their life and thought from
the picture I have painted in the following pages of the two most formidable
figures at the gateway of what was to become Christianity.
I have many people to thank, too many to mention, all of them mentors and
coaches in their own right. Some deserve recognition here for their direct
involvement in my work. My son, Ralph, listened to my many musings, read
some questionable discussions, and offered advice for revisions. I have valued
his insight, enthusiasm, and personal support for the project. Part way through
the writing of the book, Eckhard Goerz invited me to present four lectures in a
class of thoughtful adults on the world and work of Jesus. The participants
offered helpful feedback, some of which comes through in the ensuing
discussions.
A number of friends and colleagues agreed to read the manuscript, and
graciously allowed their names to be associated with my work. For that generous
gift I offer sincere gratitude: William Campbell, Philip Esler, Seán Freyne, Tim
Rogalsky, Arthur Walker-Jones, Mark Nanos, Gordon Zerbe, and Rev. Tony
Davidson. Thank you all!
Editor, Chris Spinks, saw the project through from an initial conversation at
the Society of Biblical Literature, to the finished product. He, along with the
efficient staff at Wipf & Stock Publishers, have my unqualified vote of thanks
for a job well done.
Finally, I congratulate my wife, Grace, for putting up with my endless talk
about Jesus and Paul over the last few years. I could not have a better
conversation partner. Thank you!
—Winnipeg, April 2011
Abbreviations
SCRIPTURES
Gen. Genesis
Exod. Exodus
Lev. Leviticus
Num. Numbers
Deut. Deuteronomy
Josh. Joshua
Judg. Judges
Sam. 1–2 Samuel
Kgs. 1–2 Kings
Chron. 1–2 Chronicles
Neh. Nehemiah
Ps. Psalms
Prov. Proverbs
Eccl. Ecclesiastes
Isa. Isaiah
Jer. Jeremiah
Lam. Lamentations
Ezek. Ezekiel
Dan. Daniel
Hos. Hosea
Obad. Obadiah
Mic. Micah
Nah. Nahum
Hab. Habakkuk
Zeph. Zephaniah
Hag. Haggai
Zech. Zechariah
Mal. Malachi
Matt. Matthew
Rom. Romans
Cor. 1–2 Corinthians
Gal. Galatians
Eph. Ephesians
Phil. Philippians
Col. Colossians
Thess. 1–2 Thessalonians
Tim. 1–2 Timothy
Tit. Titus
Phlm. Philemon
Heb. Hebrews
Pet. 1–2 Peter
Rev. Revelation
OTHER REFERENCED WORKS
Ant Josephus, Jewish Antiquities
ASV American Standard Version
BBR Bulletin for Biblical Research
BI Biblical Interpretation
BJRL Bulleting of the John Rylands Library.
BTB Biblical Theological Bulletin
CEB Common English Bible
DSS Dead Sea Scrolls
Gos. Eb. Gospel of the Ebionites
Gos. Heb. Gospel of the Hebrews
Gos. Naz. Gospel of the Nazarenes
Gos. Thom. Gospel of Thomas
HTR Harvard Theological Review
Int Interpretation
J. W. Josephus, Jewish War
JBL Journal of Biblical Literature
JSNT Journal for the Study of the New Testament
KJV King James Version, (otherwise Authorized Version)
Macc. 1–2 Maccabees
NASB New American Standard Bible
NEB New English Bible
NRSV New Revised Standard Version
NTS New Testament Studies
Ps. Sol. Psalms of Solomon
USQR Union Seminary Quarterly Review
Wis. Wisdom of Solomon
