by J. Gresham Machen
in ePub, .mobi & .pdf formats
HT: Project Gutenberg
The fundamental evidence with regard to the origin of Christianity is therefore twofold. Two facts need to be explained—the Jesus of the Gospels and the religion of Paul. The problem of early Christianity may be approached in either of these two ways. It should finally be approached in both ways. And if it is approached in both ways the investigator will discover, to his amazement, that the two ways lead to the same result. But the present discussion is more limited in scope. It seeks to deal merely with one of the two ways of approach to the problem of Christianity. What was the origin of the religion of Paul?
In discussing the apostle Paul the historian is dealing with a subject important for its own sake, even aside from the importance of what it presupposes about Jesus. Unquestionably Paul was a notable man, whose influence has been felt throughout all subsequent history. The fact itself cannot be called in question. But since there is wide difference of opinion about details, it may be well, in a brief preliminary word, to define a little more closely the nature and extent of the influence of Paul.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. Introduction
II. The Early Years
III. The Triumph of Gentile Freedom
IV. Paul and Jesus
V. The Jewish Environment
VI. The Religion of the Hellenistic Age
VII. Redemption in Pagan Religion and in Paul
VIII. The Lordship of Jesus
Index