Paul is usually seen as a “second founder” of Christianity, after Jesus. At the same time,
however, some scholars are quick to draw major distinctions between them, so that Jesus was a
preacher of the kingdom of God while Paul helped establish Christianity as a religious system.
This paper asks you to compare and contrast two test-cases for this line of thinking: the
“Sermon on the Mount” in Matthew’s Gospel (and parallel “Sermon on the Plain” in Luke) and
Paul’s instructions to the church in 1 Corinthians (particularly in chapters 5-7, but elsewhere
also). In the course of the paper you should:
– Summarize and analyze what you think is important in these discourses, particularly for
comparative purposes. Make sure to situate them in their context using the materials available
to us (the study Bible); a literal reading as if they were written today will not suffice.
– Situate these passages and the lines of thinking they represent within the broader ministries
of Jesus and Paul. Luke Timothy Johnson’s book should be of particular use at this point. Use
at least two secondary sources (I have listed several below that are on reserve) to help
substantiate your point.
– Conclude by giving your considered opinion on whether Paul merits the claim as a co-founder
of Christianity, and to what extent his teaching can and should be distinguished from that of
Jesus.
Secondary supporting sources:
– John Dominic Crossan and Jonathan L. Reed, In Search of Paul BS 2506.3.C76
– John P. Meier, A Marginal Jew, Vol. 4: Law and Love BT302.M44 1991 V. 4
– Wayne Meeks, The First Urban Christians, BR166M44
– N.T. Wright, Paul: In Fresh Perspective BS2651.W748
