Source: “Reading Paul Within Judaism: The Collected Essays”, By Mark D. Nanos, 2017.
Reading Paul In A Jewish Way.wav
This podcast proposes a radical reinterpretation of Paul, arguing that he remained deeply rooted in Judaism and sought to promote it to both Jewish and non-Jewish followers of Jesus. The author contends that Paul did not convert to a new religion called "Christianity," which didn't exist in his time, but rather viewed Christ-following communities as Jewish subgroups tasked with demonstrating the "dawning of the awaited time of restoration." Crucially, Paul's letters, particularly Romans, address the confusion and identity issues of non-Jews who were to practice Judaism but remain non-Jews, emphasizing harmonious coexistence between different groups, all while glorifying the one God of Israel. The podcast concludes by asserting that reading Paul in this "Jewish way" offers profound insights into early Christian origins and promotes a positive understanding of Jewish identity and behavior within this historical context.
Topic 1: Reassessing Paul's Identity and Practice This topic presents a groundbreaking reinterpretation of Paul's identity, moving away from the commonly held belief that he converted from Judaism to embrace a new religion called Christianity. Instead, Paul is depicted as a Jewish individual who consistently remained within Judaism throughout his life. His ethnic and religious background was Jewish, and he not only continued to practice Judaism but actively promoted it to both Jewish and non-Jewish followers of Jesus Christ. The author argues that the terms "Christian" and "Christianity" were anachronistic for Paul's time, only emerging late in the first or early second century to describe a particular Jewish subgroup identity. This perspective suggests that Paul was not a missionary for a new religion but rather a figure within Judaism, representing a small sect focused on the messianic figure of Jesus, which eventually became distinct from other Jewish sects and evolved into Christianity over centuries.
Topic 2: The Nature of Paul's Early Christ-Following Communities The source clarifies that the gatherings Paul established and corresponded with were not "churches" as understood in later Christian centuries, but simply "assemblies" or "gatherings" (ekklesia). These communities are understood as functioning as subgroups within the broader Jewish communities in their respective locations, actively practicing Judaism. A crucial aspect of these assemblies was their composition, which included both Jews and non-Jews. The non-Jews, referred to as "the nations," were considered the implied target audience of Paul's letters. These non-Jews joined Jewish communities and adopted Jewish cultural norms and righteous behaviors derived from centuries of Torah interpretation. The text advocates for using historically accurate terminology, such as "Christ-following Jewish subgroup communities" instead of "gentile churches," to better grasp the historical context and the inherent identity issues and behavioral adjustments faced by non-Jews who were shifting their loyalties to the God of Israel.
Topic 3: Paul's "Chronometrical" Claim and the Dawning of the Awaited Age A central and distinguishing claim of Paul and his fellow Jesus-followers was their "chronometrical" conviction: that the awaited time of restoration, prophesied in Jewish tradition, had already begun or "dawned" with the resurrection of Jesus. This was the time when the "rest of the nations" would turn to the One Creator God, previously recognized primarily by the people of Israel. While many other Jewish groups of the time still awaited this future reign of God, Paul believed it had commenced, and therefore, this "utopian way of life" was to be embodied by the assemblies of Jesus's followers. This conviction necessitated that non-Jews joining these subgroups abandon their prior deities and associated "sinful" behaviors, embracing the One God and a righteous life as defined by Jewish communal terms and interpretations of the Tanakh (Old Testament). This timing difference marked a significant distinction between Paul's movement and other Jewish perspectives.
Topic 4: The Distinct Role of Non-Jews in Paul's Vision for the New Age This topic delves into Paul's specific instructions regarding non-Jews who joined the Christ-following movement: they were to turn to the God of Israel while explicitly remaining non-Jews. This meant that they were not to undergo proselyte conversion, such as male circumcision, which would make them full members of the nation Israel. Paul's opposition to the circumcision of adult male non-Jews was not a general condemnation of Jewish identity or Torah observance, but a contextual argument intended for this specific group. By maintaining their non-Jewish identity yet adhering to a Jewishly defined way of life, these individuals were meant to serve as a living demonstration of the awaited age's arrival—a time when people from all nations would join in praising the One God alongside Israelites, without dissolving the distinction between Jews and non-Jews. This unique policy presented significant challenges and confusions for the non-Jews involved, as it entailed radical adjustments to their social and familial habits.
Topic 5: Paul's Enduring Commitment to Jewish Identity and Torah Observance A critical reinterpretation offered is that Paul did not oppose Jewish identity or Torah observance in principle. On the contrary, the source asserts that Paul believed it was equally vital for Jews to remain Jews and to observe the Torah, which he understood as God's "Guidance" for living rightly. This implies that Paul himself remained a Torah-observing Jew. Traditional Christian interpretations that portray Paul as viewing Jewish practices like circumcision and Torah-observance as inferior, wrong, or obsolete are challenged as based on later assumptions that misrepresent his original context. Such misinterpretations have historically contributed to negative characterizations of Jews and Judaism. The source emphasizes that Paul's understanding of living according to Torah was synonymous with living according to "Love," suggesting a profound and consistent commitment to Jewish principles.
Topic 6: Paul's Strategic Use of Jewish Scriptures in Romans Paul's arguments, particularly in Romans 15, are shown to be deeply rooted in Jewish scriptural citations. He deliberately selects texts from the Torah, Prophets, and Writings (the Hebrew Bible/Tanakh), such as Deuteronomy 32:43 ("Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people"), 2 Samuel 22:50, Psalm 116:1, and Isaiah 11:10. These passages serve as "proof-texts" for his central argument concerning the harmonious celebration of God by diverse groups—Jews and non-Jews—in the awaited age. This demonstrates that for Paul, Torah was not obsolete but rather anticipated and guided the behavior of Christ's followers. The source points out interesting parallels between Paul's linkage of these verses and later rabbinic homiletical traditions (Haftarah), suggesting that Paul's argumentative structure might have resonated with existing Jewish interpretive frameworks. These scriptural references collectively underscore the theme of universal praise to the One God, highlighting divine faithfulness and mercy to all.
Topic 7: Challenging Zero-Sum Thinking and Advocating for Mutual Success The author identifies Paul's consistent message as a counter to "zero-sum thinking," a mindset where one's success is perceived as dependent on another's failure. Paul, instead, operates from the premise of God's unlimited resources, arguing that contributing to the success and well-being of others is intrinsically linked to one's own success. This principle is particularly applied to the relationship between Christ-following non-Jews and non-Jesus-following Jews. Paul instructs the former to live "on behalf of the other," promoting kindness, mercy, and hope for their success, rather than judging or dismissing them. He warns against arrogance, envy, and judgmentalism that can arise from competitive thinking, emphasizing that love of one's neighbor is a fundamental responsibility stemming from their confession of faith in the One God. Christ's example of "not pleasing himself" is presented as the ultimate model for this selfless and mutually beneficial way of life.
Topic 8: The Imperative of Historically Accurate Language and Interpretation A significant emphasis is placed on the importance of employing precise historical language when discussing Paul and the origins of Christianity. The source argues that using modern terms like "Christian," "Christianity," "church," and "gentile" is misleading and anachronistic, as these concepts did not exist in Paul's time or carried very different connotations. This linguistic imprecision obscures Paul's original meaning and fosters misunderstandings about his context. The recommended shift to terms such as "non-Jews" (for gentiles), "Christ-following" (for Christian), and "Jewish subgroup assemblies" (for gentile churches) is presented as a vital step towards a more historically accurate reading of Paul. Such defamiliarizing shifts help readers recognize the distinct cultural and religious landscape in which Paul operated, highlighting the cross-cultural separation between the modern reader and Paul's intended audience.
Topic 9: Reconciliation and the Intertwined Destinies of Jews and Non-Jews Leading up to the specific passages discussed, Paul's broader argument in Romans 9-11 is highlighted as addressing the intertwined destinies of non-Jews who turn to God through Jesus, and the Jewish people. Paul expresses a strong conviction that "all Israel will be protected" and eventually reconciled. He believes that the righteous and gracious behavior of Christ-following non-Jews will serve as a compelling witness to his unconvinced Jewish countrymen, leading to their eventual recognition of Jesus as Messiah and their participation in declaring reconciliation to the nations. This vision is not one of replacement theology, where one group supplants another, but rather a future where both Jews and non-Jews realize the full benefits of God's bounty, living in harmony and contributing to each other's success. Paul stresses the importance of fostering peace and mutual blessing between these groups.
Topic 10: Paul's Call for Welcome, Kindness, and Hope in God's Faithfulness At the heart of Paul's message is a call for radical welcome, kindness, and mercy toward others, even those who do not share the same convictions. This involves a commitment to living for the success and well-being of others, with the conviction that they, too, are recipients of God's mercy or are destined to be. This outlook is grounded in a deep belief in God's unending faithfulness, mercy, and justice, and the idea that God's gifts are not limited, countering human tendencies towards scarcity or zero-sum calculations. Paul encourages his audience to cultivate hope in the "God of hope," which engenders good will towards others. This principle of extending welcome and living graciously towards those who are different is presented as central to Judaism itself, attested by the very scriptures Paul cites, offering a programmatic framework for harmonious coexistence.