Source: “Cracking the Symbol Code: The Hidden Messages Within Church and Renaissance Art”, By Tim Wallace-Murphy, Watkins Publishing, London, 2010.
5. St. Paul - Christianity's Unlikely Architect.mp4
5. Paul - The Unsung Architect of Christianity and the Controversial Birth of a Faith.m4a
This text explores the early history and foundational development of Christian symbolism, emphasizing the pivotal, yet controversial, role of St. Paul in shaping the nascent faith. It highlights that Paul, not Jesus, is considered the "Father of Christianity" due to his theological contributions and widespread evangelism, which fundamentally diverged from the original teachings of Jesus and his brother James. The source details the bitter doctrinal conflicts between Paul and the Jerusalem community led by James, particularly regarding the Torah, the deification of Jesus, and human sacrifice, ultimately leading to Paul's expulsion and a violent confrontation. Furthermore, the text reveals Paul's privileged status and Roman connections, which allowed him to travel widely and escape persecution, explaining how his version of Christianity, stripped of its Jewish nationalistic elements, ultimately prevailed after the destruction of Jerusalem. Finally, it discusses the gradual emergence of a structured Church from initial chaos and the subsequent development of early Christian symbols like the Chi Rho, Alpha and Omega, and the fish, used for recognition among believers before formal art and architecture emerged.
Topic 1: St. Paul's Identity and Foundational Role St. Paul, originally Saul of Tarsus, is paradoxically referred to as the 'Father of Christianity' despite never having met Jesus of Nazareth in person. He was a Roman citizen and a Pharisee who initially vigorously persecuted Jesus' followers. His theological contributions and extensive missionary work were crucial in establishing a faith that ultimately became dominant in Europe and the Western world. The Church that emerged from his efforts established a complex system of symbolism and became a powerful force in shaping European culture, morality, art, and architecture, especially after the fall of the Roman Empire.
Topic 2: St. Paul's Conversion and Early Journeys Paul's transformation occurred after a miraculous conversion on the road to Damascus, leading him to change his religion and his name. Following this profound experience, he spent an unexplained period of three years in Arabia before joining James the Just and his followers in Jerusalem. Here, he reportedly learned the 'true way' as taught by Jesus. Subsequently, Paul embarked on a series of prolonged evangelical journeys, traveling to significant cities across the eastern Mediterranean to spread his version of the 'good news.'
Topic 3: Fundamental Conflict with Original Disciples Despite his evangelical zeal, Paul faced severe criticism from James and Jesus' original disciples in Jerusalem. New Testament accounts, specifically the Council of Jerusalem in The Acts of the Apostles, portray this conflict in a "sanitized" manner, suggesting Paul's teachings were deemed acceptable after heated discussion. However, the source indicates this outcome is highly improbable given the strict adherence of James and the original disciples to Jewish law, their prohibition against mixing with Gentiles, and their rigid dietary laws, which directly contradicted Paul's practices and teachings.
Topic 4: Key Doctrinal Differences (Torah, Circumcision, Faith) The core of the conflict lay in fundamental doctrinal differences. James and the Jerusalem disciples maintained an absolute dedication to the Torah, strict prohibition against Gentile interaction, and rigid adherence to Jewish dietary laws. Paul, in contrast, primarily associated with Gentiles, taught that the Old Covenant and its laws were no longer applicable, asserted that circumcision was unnecessary for converts, and emphasized that faith alone was sufficient for salvation. These stark contrasts marked a significant divergence from the practices of Jesus' original followers.
Topic 5: Paul's Expulsion from the Jerusalem Community Biblical scholarship, particularly studies of the Dead Sea Scrolls and early Christian documents, reveals that factional strife led to Paul's expulsion from the community associated with 'the Way.' The dispute centered on Paul's preaching to Gentiles and his repeated denial of the Torah's validity. This led to a dramatic confrontation where Paul was referred to as 'the Liar' and James the Just as 'the Teacher of Righteousness.' Essene principles, which the Jerusalem community followed, mandated expulsion for anyone transgressing the Torah or associating with Gentiles. Paul's public repudiation of the Law, his teaching of salvation by faith alone, and his denial of the Torah's worth directly violated these principles, resulting in his expulsion and his constant companion Barnabas deserting him.
Topic 6: Paul's Introduction of Jesus' Deification Paul is attributed with the 'deification' of Jesus, a concept that would have outraged Jesus' original disciples, his family members, and Jews in general, as it was considered the ultimate sacrilege by orthodox Jews. The Gospels themselves do not record Jesus claiming divine status or even the title 'Son of God'; he consistently referred to himself as 'Son of Man.' The earliest chronological reference to Jesus' claimed divinity in the New Testament is found in one of Paul's Epistles, suggesting this notion originated with him rather than Jesus' direct teachings.
Topic 7: Paul's Teaching of Vicarious Human Sacrifice Paul introduced the idea that Jesus became a "vicarious 'sacrificial lamb'" at Golgotha and "died for us." This concept directly contradicted Jewish tradition, which, since the time of Abraham, prohibited human sacrifice. The notion was not only repulsive but also went against the fundamental religious principle, articulated by the prophet Ezekiel, that the innocent should not suffer for the guilty. Thus, Paul's teachings on vicarious sacrifice were seen as a repudiation of the Law, a condemnation of circumcision (and thereby all Jews), and a reintroduction of pagan concepts, culminating in his deification of Jesus.
Topic 8: Decline of Paul's Early Mission and Isolation Paul's evangelical mission faced significant challenges and steadily lost ground to evangelists who carried written accreditation from James the Just in Jerusalem. Paul expressed scathing resentment about this practice. It is suggested that had it not been for the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans, Paul's efforts might have been entirely forgotten. Few, if any, Jewish disciples continued to associate with him after his expulsion. His later companions were primarily Judeo-Greeks, such as Timothy and the Herodian Princess Drusilla, reflecting his shift in focus and audience.
Topic 9: Ebionite Perspective on Paul The Ebionites, also known as 'the Poor,' were the original disciples of Jesus and their followers. They held Paul in complete contempt. An early Ebionite document, quoted by the Church father Iraneus, describes Paul as 'an apostate of the Law.' Another early second-century Ebionite document, the Kerygmata Petrou, further denounces Paul as 'an apostate of the Law,' a 'spouter of wickedness and lies,' and 'the distorter of the true teachings of Jesus.' This document openly ridicules Paul's alleged visions and his Damascus conversion, dismissing them as 'dreams and illusions inspired by devils.'