Paul and Jesus

How the Apostle Transformed Christianity

By: James D. Tabor

Narrated by: Robertson Dean

Length: 9 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

Historians know virtually nothing about the two decades following the crucifixion of Jesus, when his followers regrouped and began to spread his message. During this time the man we know as the apostle Paul joined the movement and began to preach to the gentiles.

Using the oldest Christian documents that we have - the letters of Paul - as well as other early Christian sources, historian and scholar James Tabor reconstructs the origins of Christianity. Tabor reveals that the familiar figures of James, Peter, and Paul sometimes disagreed fiercely over everything from the meaning of Jesus' message to the question of whether converts must first become Jews. Tabor shows how Paul separated himself from Peter and James and introduced his own version of Christianity, which would continue to develop independently of the gospel message that Jesus, James, and Peter preached.

Paul and Jesus gives us a new and deeper understanding of Paul as it illuminates the fascinating period of history when Christianity was born out of Judaism and became the religion we recognize today.

©2012 James D. Tabor (P)2012 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Highly recommended to all interested in the historic roots of Christianity, whether or not they are believers. After Tabor, you will never read the NT in quite the same way." ( Library Journal Starred Review)

Paul or Jesus?

If you could sum up Paul and Jesus in three words, what would they be?

InformativeInsightfulEnlightening

Any additional comments?

As an author myself, I understand the intense desire to get a very important idea across to my readers. I have seen many writers start with an idea that they think is provable but by the end of their work they have steered off of the track and forgotten the entire purpose of their work.

This is not the case with this monumental work that James has penned here. He masterfully executes his attempt to expose Paul and what he has done to the world.

When I wrote my book, Leaving Jesus, I wanted to spend more time on Paul and his twisting of the Old Testament. I felt that I had done a good job in revealing what Paul had done but James ups the ante and peels away the layers of the Apostle Paul to uncover the problems with Paul's writings and actual thought processes.

James expertly draws on his previous writing to paint a portrait of Paul that is clear and vivid. Starting with Paul's twisting of Scripture and concepts he then transverses through his social interactions with the disciples. James spends much time on the way that Paul thought about and behaved toward James, the brother of Jesus.I thought I had understood Paul but by the time I was finished with "Paul and Jesus", I felt like I had met him.

This is the book that I wanted to write myself but thanks to James D. Tabor I didn't have to do so. James has made it easy to understand Paul and along the way, Jesus, the misunderstood first century Jewish Rabbi who's teachings are buried deep inside the New Testament overpowered by Paul's lies and tricks.

Thanks James for treading where few chose to travel, for not getting lost along the way and for returning to us with truth that will free many others.

Avoid!

While this guy sets himself up as a Pauline scholar, both his scholarship and his historical method are called into question by his treatment of the source material. Of the many problems I had with this book, the author's method of interpreting scripture is probably the most egregious. One of the best ways to interpret scripture is to allow the clear to define the unclear. Instead, the author not only elevates the unclear over the clear, he then marries those false suppositions to his own eccentric theories, then refers to the results as evidence. He assumes the most extreme interpretations of some of Paul's statements, then takes them to an Illogical conclusion. This creates controversy where there is none. There are a couple reasons an author would do this. One is arrogance, and the other is to stir up controversy so as to sell books. I imagine there's a little bit of both going on in this one. Avoid! Instead I would suggest reading N.T. Wright on the subject.

Neo-pseudo-Orthodoxy thought of early Christian History

This is a book of conjecture which is not supported from the facts of historical Christianity. His arguments are similar to Bart D. Ehrman who purports the idea of many different Christianities and that what we have today is the triumph of Pauline orthodoxy and not an accurate interpretation of the true mission and significance of the person Jesus Christ. I gave four stars for performance because I like Robertson Dean.

A Telling Tale

Professor Tabor has been studying the works and philosophy of Paul for over 30 years. In straightforward prose and with a well-thought-out thesis, he describes the impact Paul's few letters have had not only on Christianity but on the whole of Western thought through the ages.

Paul and Jesus Counter-apologetics

The author begins providing his resume of his study of the life of Paul for 45 years along with his education and experience. Progressively the book will challenge your faith and ultimately make the claim that Jesus was not raised from the dead simply moved to another grave. This one statement along with others is the same message Satan has preached to the world through many other authors and atheistic arguments. I choose to listen to authors that support my faith and choose not to listen to a false "preacher" spewing this message. I pray for the author and the young impressionable people he is spreading the message against the Bible.

Blasphemy against Jesus

This goal of this garbage book apparently isn’t to discuss whether Paul’s teachings were inline with Jesus own teaching, it actually suggests even parts of the New Testament associated with the disciples is all fictitious. This is some deep, dark crap.

Disappointment 101

What would have made Paul and Jesus better?

an accuracy of description...liberal theology is nothing but intellectual unbelief

What could James D. Tabor have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

take a stand somewhere...no conviction of truth is involved here

Would you listen to another book narrated by Robertson Dean?

narrator was pleasant

What character would you cut from Paul and Jesus?

Tabor!

Any additional comments?

can I get a refund?

an extraordinary teaching and interpretation of wh

Would you listen to Paul and Jesus again? Why?

i did listen already more than 10 times and every time i get a deeper understanding of what happened to him... wher this people craizzi or just religious nuts?.. and what about us?!...
(excuse azny missplling, thanks)

What did you like best about this story?

That according to what i understood, there is SALVATION for all humanity, if there is such a thing...
Looks like there is no GOD as the bible teaches. So what do we suppose to believe in?!
May be is a choice, i think is better to belive after all, even if the Bible is not a perfect book and in fact written and edited by men, still gave a good message.

Now let me say this: in The Jesus Dynasty, according to James D. Tabor, Jesus's father could not had been God, but a man: Mary's husband, (Joseph), or a jew roman soldier by the name of Panthera....in the "Jesus Discovery Tomb", James d Tabor believes Paul's understanding or teachings of the resurrection of JesusChrist as a LifeGivenSpirit..
Now in the "Paul and Jesus" book, James D. Tabor seems to belive that Paul invented the whole thing ....
I can not wait to get my mind into what is comming next... please make it happend before we all get cot up in the air...

Have you listened to any of Robertson Dean’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

excellent, better that James d Tabor, performance reading "The Jesus Dynasty". But i enjoy
it his writting, also the "Jesus Discovery"... excellent work!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I really enjoy it..

Any additional comments?

i'm waitting for the next production

great book for advanced thinkers

top quality insight and analysis. respectfully revolutionary. interesting blend of tradition and important historical observation that changes how we see Paul and his mission.

This was the best book on Paul to date!

Dr. James Tabor is one of my favorite scholars. He shows Paul as he really appears without all the orthodoxy. want to see one of the more radical, apocalyptic Jews with a mystical neo platonic view of the world with all his flaws? This book will change your outlook on the entire early church community.