From what I have been learning while cycling through early morning North Miami Beach, Christianity is less like "Messianity" and "Jesianity" and more like "Paulianity". Christos, the Greek word for Messiah (a Jewish concept found in the Hebrew Scriptures), is magnified by the Christian followers of Jesus from a few sentences. The enlargement of this idea was taken further by Paul, a Jewish Greek- speaking Christian who founded churches all throughout the Mediterranean World. I did a lot of thinking about Paul and the lecturer who explained what Paul meant or did not mean in his message to the Romans.  Much of what is believed today about Jesus, Christianity and Churches dedicated to a “Christ” was taught by Paul.

 Paul never knew Jesus but claimed to have seen the risen crucified Jewish carpenter and teacher. Paul preached that the message of Jesus, his life and his death, was meant for both Jews and GENTILES. Paul explained that Abraham was chosen by God to be the first Jew but this was BEFORE a covenant signed in the blood of circumcision became the hallmark of a believer in monotheism. This was interesting and explained much about Paul (formerly Saul). He favored non Jews as Christians for some Jews opposed Jesus which led to his crucifixion by Roman Soldiers at the direction of Pontius Pilate. Pilate ostentatiously washed his hands of the whole affair. In his movie, Mr. Gibson has not helped at all but reinforced the Pauline notion and the culpability of ALL Jews.

Pauline Christianity reigns today buried in the edifices of churches and teachings of Church Fathers who created the rituals of reenactment of the last supper of Jesus and his disciples and substitution of the sacrifice of Jesus for animal sacrifice. This has become the central meaning of the life and death of Jesus for Christian believers today. Paul was a very powerful and charismatic leader who created early Christianity. Sacraments have replaced the simplicity of Jesus.

What I gleaned from the lecture on Paul was how Paul treated the concept of “SIN” that is not the best thing about ancient Judaism. He elevated this notion as central to salvation by belief rather than by works. Muslims do not worship Mohammad but submit themselves to Allah.  There is a difference here. They see Jesus worshipped as God and part of an idolatrous trinity. Their notion of the supremacy of Allah causes them to think of Christians as pagans. Muslims bought into circumcision and dietary laws but think Mohammad’s writing in the Quran surpasses the Torah attributed to Moses.   

Paul created a very successful business of shepherding churches of Jesus in the ancient world. Some old ideas are very hard to fit the present world. The oldest one of MONOTHEISM is still around. It is weighed down by the detritus of time.