Source: Alan Saxby and James Crossley, James, Brother of Jesus, and the Jerusalem Church: A Radical Exploration of Christian Origins (Eugene, Oregon: Wipf and Stock, 2015).

A Socrates and Hypatia Dialogue

A New Hypothesis on the early Jewish church.wav

Jeff’s Deep Dive Podcasts on Philosophy and Theology

Main Theme:

This podcast delves into the "Galilean Silence" surrounding Jesus' earthly ministry within the early Christian traditions, particularly those associated with Paul and the Jakobusgemeinde (the Jerusalem church led by James, Jesus' brother). It is a somewhat radical hypothesis and as such, is speculative in nature, but supported by data.

It argues that while Paul and the Jakobusgemeinde shared a core belief in Christ's redemptive death and resurrection, their understanding and preaching largely focused on a "mythic Christ" and traditions rooted in Jerusalem, showing little interest in the historical Jesus of Galilee. The text suggests that echoes of Jesus' sayings found in the Epistle of James might actually originate from James's own teachings, which were later absorbed into the developing Jesus tradition, rather than demonstrating direct knowledge of Galilean ministry within the Jakobusgemeinde. This widespread silence and the Jerusalem focus, even in Luke's portrayal of early apostolic preaching, suggest a potential "absence of evidence or evidence of absence" for significant Galilean knowledge within this crucial early Christian group.

A Summary:

Here is a detailed briefing document reviewing the main themes and most important ideas in this podcast.

This podcast delves into a radical hypothesis concerning the early Christian movement, particularly the role of James, the brother of Jesus, and the Jerusalem-based community (Jakobusgemeinde). The central argument presented is the striking and significant "Galilean Silence" observed in the writings of Paul and other sources connected to the Jakobusgemeinde (Epistle of James, Jude, and possibly Hebrews). This silence, the podcast contends, is not merely an absence of evidence but potentially "evidence of absence" regarding significant knowledge or interest in the historical Jesus' life and ministry in Galilee within these early Christian circles.

The podcast explores the foundational kerygma shared between Paul and the Jakobusgemeinde, suggesting its origins in Jewish theology, specifically the concept of a righteous martyr expiating sins. It then critically examines the purported echoes of Jesus' sayings in the Epistle of James, proposing that these might originate from James' own teaching tradition rather than solely from Jesus. The speakers suggest that the prominent role of the "mythic Christ" in Paul's theology, contrasted with the limited engagement with the historical Jesus, supports this view. Finally, the Lucan portrayal of Peter and Paul's preaching in Acts is analyzed as potential secondary evidence reinforcing the "Galilean Silence" associated with the Jerusalem tradition.

Main Themes and Important Ideas:

The "Galilean Silence": A Central Anomaly

• A key observation is the significant lack of references in Paul's letters, the Epistle of James, Jude, and arguably Hebrews, to the life, ministry, and teachings of the historical Jesus in Galilee.
• This is particularly striking in Paul's writings, where "Christ" (often referring to a "mythic" or metanarrative figure) is central, but "Jesus" (without qualification or tied to a specific historical event beyond crucifixion/resurrection) is rarely mentioned.

Quote: "There is almost complete silence in Paul’s letters surrounding the life and teaching of Jesus."

Quote: "Noticeably, there is no reference centered in Galilee."