1. Announcements Attendance and assignments
Monday, February 20th: Review/ Writing Workshop
Bring to class 2 copies of your rough draft
Wednesday, February 22nd: EXAM 1

2. Paul Convert, Missionary, and Theologian
RELS 3300: Early Christianity
Monday, February 13, 2017

3. Jewish Christianity Christianity as a movement within Judaism
Adherence to Mosaic Law
Jesus of Nazareth was the long- awaited Messiah
Peter, John, and James
Jewish rebellion 66 CE
Jewish rebellion 132 CE

4. Gentile Conversion and Christianity
Jewish Christians divided concerning gentile conversion
Peter’s vision
Must become Jewish to be saved?
Mosaic Law- dietary restrictions
Greek-speaking pagans
“God-fearers”

5. Paul- Summary Biography Conversion experience Letters Theology
Missionary work
Critics + Contemporaries
Lasting Contributions

6. Biography Saint Paul; Saul of Tarsus Roman + Jewish
Devout Jewish family
Tribe of Benjamin; Pharisee
Highly educated
Contemporary of Jesus, though they never met

7. Conversion Experience
Three accounts: Acts 9, 22, and 26
discrepancies
Road to Damascus
Encountered a resurrected Jesus
How did Paul reconcile this new information with his previous beliefs?

8. Pauline Letters
His letters make up 13 of the 21 letter/books in the New Testament
Some of the earliest Christian texts
Seven of the letters attributed to Paul are considered authentic
First Thessalonians (c. 50 CE)
Galatians (c. 53)
First Corinthians (c. 53–54)
Philippians (c. 55)
Philemon (c. 55)
Second Corinthians (c. 55–56)
Romans (c. 57)
Four are falsely attributed
First Timothy
Second Timothy
Titus
Ephesians
Two are uncertain
Colossians
Second Thessalonians

9. Theology No systematic theology; controversy over meaning
Not a political or social revolutionary concerning secular matters
Deep knowledge of Judaism; followed some ethical teachings
Monotheism
Differed on significance of Mosaic Law
Faith in Jesus; Lord was returning soon
Universality
Teachings considered foundational

10. Missionary Work Moved teachings into Greco- Roman cities
Conversion of gentiles
Spoke in synagogues
Modest success as a missionary during his lifetime
Communities grew substantially after his death

11. Looking Forward… Monday, February 20th: Review/ Writing Workshop
Bring to class 2 copies of your rough draft
Wednesday, February 22nd: EXAM 1
Monday, February 27th: Discussion of final project
Jesus paper due Wednesday, March 1st
Hard copies in class