Rethinking Paul - Program
We have organized the following articles to serve as a program for learning. As new articles are added, this page will be updated. for now, the following articles will help to build a new understanding of the writings of Paul's context, his audience(s), and the situation he was sent to resolve.
The following articles have been organized in a sequence that will aid in learning and help to build a more nuanced understanding of the writings of Paul, his context, his audience(s), and the complexity of the situation he was sent to resolve.
This page will be updated as new articles are added, so check back occasionally. Enjoy!
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Rethinking Paul - Program
Part 1 - Foundation
PaRDeS - Jewish Hermeneutics
If you have been around the world of Jewish thought for a while, you might likely already be familiar with the concept represented by the acronym, PaRDeS.
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Pharisees
As a child growing up in the church, admittedly, I had acquired a negative view of the Pharisees. The dark villains of many Sunday school stories and their combative portrayal in the Gospel readings, it seemed the word âPhariseeâ was an acceptable form of a curse word. However, I recall
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Was Paul the First Christian Convert?
Is this a trick question? Of course, Paul converted, right? The chapter heading says so, and his name was changed to Saul, wasnât it?
For those familiar with the complexities of sectarian first-century Judaism, this assumption begins to face some difficulties.
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Paulâs Audience(s) in the New Testament
When reading the New Testament, it is very easy - especially if you learned through a denomination of mainstream western Christianity - to assume Paulâs audiences are a homogenous body of âChristiansâ.
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Part 2 - Context
Who Were the Judaizers?
Despite its ubiquitous usage in the church, the word âJudaizerâ is only found once in the New Testament, in Galatians 2:14. In its broadest sense, a âJudaizerâ is a pejorative label given to someone who influences others to observe some form of Jewish religious lifestyle.
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The Roots of Gentile Inclusion: Noahide Laws and the Jerusalem Council
In this article, we explore the Noahide laws. In addition, weâll take a unique look at these laws, their relevance to the Jerusalem Council of Acts 15, and their implications for Gentiles today.
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The Missing Context of the New Testament - pt. 1
One of the most important components to understanding the âNew Testamentâ is found amid an incident that most Bible readers have never heard of. Weâll learn how a particular disagreement between predominant Pharisaic schools shaped the contours and the perplexing milieu of first-century Judaism.
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The Missing Context of the New Testament - pt. 2
As part of the greater Jewish community, the Apostolic leaders struggled with these particular issues more acutely. The sudden influx of Gentiles leaving paganism to join the diasporic Jewish communities made this a primary issue for themâŚ
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Is the Oral Torah âBiblicalâ? pt. 1
One of the biggest hurdles for western Christians to overcome, if they begin studying the Jewishness of the New Testament, is the idea of the Oral Torah.
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Is the Oral Torah âBiblicalâ? pt. 2
In part 2 we will look at these elements from a simpler, more logical perspective. We will point to some obvious and perhaps not-so-obvious examples of why an oral tradition is necessary.
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How to Read the Letters of Paul
The writings of the Apostle Paul, commonly known as the Epistles, hold immense significance in Christian theology. How will we re-evaluate his letters if we view them within a specific Rabbinic correspondence framework?
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Paulâs Eagerness to Celebrate Shavuot
Did you know that Paul was adamant about keeping the festival of Shavuot at the Temple in Jerusalem? If not, it is likely because many English translations have obscured this account.
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Misunderstanding Paulâs Message in Romans 11
Having grown up in the Catholic church, and having worked on staff at a Protestant church, I cannot recall ever being taught Romans 11 in-depth. Perhaps this chapter presents a challenge to many prevailing theological traditions and is subsequently avoided. This being the case, we will uncover a fewâŚ
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Who Is the âNew Manâ in Ephesians?
Throughout the Epistles of Paul, he makes frequent references to the Midrashic traditions regarding Adam HaRishon, the first Adam. As is the case for many Torah Jews, this tradition heavily influences Paulâs worldview, both eschatologically and practically.
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The Dough Offered as Firstfruits
Obscured amid the detailed instructions for the building of the Tabernacle, there is a fundamental key to the service of G_D.
Tell the Israelite people to bring Me gifts; you shall accept gifts for Me from every person whose heart is so moved. - Exodus 25:2
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Under Grace, Under the Law, and Under Sin
Of the most problematic ideas attributed to Paul is his teaching that Grace supersedes or replaces the Torah and commandments. This has led to an abandonment - and often vilification - of the commandments, which are a critical aspect of Biblical spiritual development.
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Part 4 - Paul the Mystic
The Third Heaven
Most are not aware of the meditative methodologies within Rabbinic Jewish tradition and the idea of âSoul ascentsâ. These can often sound similar to (and may be), the (OBE) Out of Body experiences or (TM) Transcendental Meditations found in modern spirituality movements.
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Through A Glass Dimly
Speaking to his audience in Corinth, Paul makes a statement about the spiritual state of mankind and the limited potential for prophetic capacity. His language suggests he is referencing a tradition in Kabbalah regarding the current state of mankind.
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