That's the question I addressed in this article for the July/August 2009 issue of This Rock, which is now available online. Here's the opening:
Who really founded Christianity? Was it Jesus, as most Christians believe? Or did St. Paul invent an elaborate mythology—a shameless, self-serving ruse, some would say—that has distorted or destroyed the authentic teachings of Jesus?
If the idea seems crazy, be assured there are some rather crazy proponents of this basic perspective. For example, a Web site titled "Just Give Me the Truth" (www.justgivemethetruth.com) has a page declaring—screaming, really—that "Paul was Satan in the flesh," "Paul was never recognized as an apostle by the disciples or Jesus," and "Paul worked to destroy and undo everything Jesus and his disciples did and were doing."
If the idea seems crazy, be assured there are some rather crazy proponents of this basic perspective. For example, a Web site titled "Just Give Me the Truth" (www.justgivemethetruth.com) has a page declaring—screaming, really—that "Paul was Satan in the flesh," "Paul was never recognized as an apostle by the disciples or Jesus," and "Paul worked to destroy and undo everything Jesus and his disciples did and were doing."
Read the entire piece. There are also three short companion pieces:
• Details, details (some of the references in Paul's writings to specific, historical details from the life of Jesus)
• A Doubter Finds His Faith Again (on A.N. Wilson's return to Christianity)
• References and Resources
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