Book SummaryThe Jewish Apostle Paul, by Eli Lizorkin-Eyzenberg

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of The Jewish Apostle Paul

Paul: Pharisee Jew Who Believed Jesus Was the Messiah

Paul, a Devoted Pharisee, Followed the Jewish Redeemer and Did Not Switch Faiths

Lizorkin-Eyzenberg challenges the common belief that Paul abandoned Judaism to become Christian. He argues that this idea is anachronistic, as "Christianity" hadn't yet become a distinct religion during Paul's lifetime. Instead, Paul should be understood as a Jewish Pharisee who came to believe that Jesus was the promised Jewish Messiah. His belief that Jesus was the promised Messiah represented a shift within Judaism, not an abandonment of it.

Paul Viewed Belief in Jesus as Fulfilling Jewish Hopes, Not Denying Judaism

The author emphasizes that Paul saw Jesus as the fulfillment of Jewish hopes and prophecies, not as a figure who rejected or superseded Judaism. For Paul, Jesus's resurrection affirmed the truth of Hebrew Scripture and ushered in the long-awaited messianic age. This belief, while radical, was rooted in Jewish thought and did not necessitate a conversion to a different faith.

Lizorkin-Eyzenberg points to Paul's own words in Acts 23:6 as evidence: "Brothers, I am a Pharisee and a descendant of Pharisees; I stand trial because of the hope of being raised from the dead!" Even after encountering Jesus while traveling to Damascus, Paul still identified himself as a Pharisee and saw his belief in Jesus as consistent with his Pharisaic background. He appealed to other Pharisees in the Sanhedrin based on their shared belief in the resurrection, demonstrating his understanding of Jesus as fulfilling Pharisaic hopes rather than contradicting them.

Context

• Paul often referenced Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) to argue that Jesus's life and resurrection were prophesied, using texts like Isaiah and Psalms to support his claims.
• In the first century, the followers of Jesus were primarily Jewish and saw themselves as part of a Jewish movement. The term "Christian" was not yet widely used, and the early Jesus movement was considered a sect within Judaism.
• The event in Acts 23:6 occurs during Paul's trial before the Sanhedrin, where he is accused of causing unrest. His declaration about the resurrection was a deliberate move to shift the focus from his alleged crimes to a theological debate.
• The Pharisees were a Jewish sect known for their emphasis on the oral law and belief in the resurrection of the dead. This belief was a key point of contention with other Jewish groups, such as the Sadducees, who denied the resurrection.

Paul Continued as a Pharisee After Meeting Jesus

Lizorkin-Eyzenberg firmly rejects the notion that Paul abandoned his Pharisaic identity after encountering Jesus. Instead, the author proposes that Paul's experience should be understood as a shift within Judaism, from one way of being Jewish to another - a Jesus-centered, apocalyptic Judaism. Paul's Pharisaic background continued to shape his understanding of the Messiah, Jewish law, and God's plan for the world and Israel.

The author contends that the passage in Galatians 1:13, where Paul describes his "former manner of life in Judaism," is often misinterpreted. Lizorkin-Eyzenberg points out that "Judaism" in this context should be understood as "ancestral Judean customs" or "Jewish identity." Paul was not contrasting Judaism with Christianity, but rather comparing his previous way of being Jewish with his new way of following Jesus as Messiah.

Other Perspectives

• The book of Acts portrays Paul's conversion as a radical change, indicating that he left his old life behind, including his...

The Jewish Apostle Paul Summary Paul's Theology and the Shema's Jewish Roots

The Shema's Role in Paul's Theological Beliefs

Lizorkin-Eyzenberg emphasizes the central importance of the Shema—a Jewish declaration of faith from Deuteronomy 6:4—in Paul’s theology. The author asserts that the Shema was not just an important Jewish text for Paul; it formed the basis of his understanding of the gospel. This assertion draws heavily on the work of Mark Nanos, who argues that Paul interpreted the Shema as a statement of both Israel's special bond with God and the eventual union of Israel and the nations in worshiping the one true God.

Paul Saw the Shema As Affirming Israel's God's Uniqueness and Future Unity With the Gentiles

Lizorkin-Eyzenberg, following Nanos' insights, highlights that Paul interpreted the Shema as affirming both the unique relationship Israel has with God ("The Lord is our God") and the future unity of Israel and other nations in worshiping the one true God ("The Lord is one"). This interpretation, according to Lizorkin-Eyzenberg, reflects a common Jewish understanding of the Shema that existed during Paul's era and continued in later Rabbinic interpretations.

The author provides examples from Sifre (a Jewish commentary from the...

The Jewish Apostle Paul Summary Paul's Views on Jewish and Non-Jewish People

Paul Opposed Requiring Gentile Jesus Followers to Completely Adopt Jewish Customs

Lizorkin-Eyzenberg discusses Paul's strong opposition to requiring Gentile followers of Jesus to become Jewish through proselyte conversion. He emphasizes that while Paul recognized the importance of the Torah for Jewish believers, he believed that Gentile believers could join God's people by believing in Jesus the Messiah, without needing to adopt all Jewish customs and practices. This stance, according to the author, reflects Paul's understanding of the central prayer in Deuteronomy and his belief that the time for the inclusion of the nations had arrived.

Paul Believed Gentiles Could Join in Light of the Council of Jerusalem's Rulings

The author highlights the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15) as a key moment in shaping Paul's views on Gentile inclusion. Hehighlights that Paul fully endorsed the council’s decision to allow Gentiles to join the Jesus movement without undergoing full conversion to Judaism, which would have required them to observe the entire Torah as Jewish proselytes. Lizorkin-Eyzenberg points out that the council’s decision was based on a recognition that God had poured...

The Jewish Apostle Paul Summary Paul's View of the Torah for Jews and Non-Jews

Paul Believed the Torah Had Separate Laws for Jewish and Non-Jewish People

Lizorkin-Eyzenberg addresses the complex issue of Paul’s perspective on the Torah. He argues that Paul believed in a single Torah that applied to Jews as well as Gentiles, although this Torah contained different commands for each group. This understanding, according to Lizorkin-Eyzenberg, reflects a traditional Jewish view of Torah law, which had different legal requirements for priests, Levites, and Israelites.

Paul Saw the Torah as Relevant for Jewish Believers in Jesus but Not Required for Gentile Converts

The author emphasizes that while Paul continued to affirm the relevance of Jewish law for Jewish believers, he did not believe that Gentile followers of Jesus were required to observe the entire Torah. Rather, he advocated for Gentile adherence to the Noahide Laws, a set of basic ethical principles traditionally understood as binding on everyone. This understanding, according to Lizorkin-Eyzenberg, reflects Paul’s commitment to the decision made at the Council of Jerusalem, which allowed Gentiles to enter the Jesus movement without needing to fully convert to Judaism.

Lizorkin-Eyzenberg...

The Jewish Apostle Paul Summary Paul's Letters to Romans, the Galatians, and Being Jewish

Paul Defends Jewish People's Role in God's Plan

Lizorkin-Eyzenberg examines Paul’s letters to the Romans and the Galatians, highlighting their different contexts and purposes. He argues that understanding the distinct challenges faced by these two communities is crucial for interpreting Paul's seemingly contradictory statements about Jewish identity and the Torah.

Paul Argued Some Jews Who Rejected Jesus Were Not Excluded From God's Chosen People

The author emphasizes that in Romans, Paul addresses a community facing pressure to dissociate from Jews. He argues that Paul, writing as a faithful Jew himself, sought to defend Israel's enduring role in God's plan.

Lizorkin-Eyzenberg points to Romans 9-11, where Paul argues that not everyone who is ethnically Jewish is truly part of God’s people, and, conversely, Jews who reject Jesus haven't all been excluded from God's covenant faithfulness. He emphasizes Paul's affirmation of a "faithful remnant" within Israel and his belief that God continues to accept His chosen people.

Practical Tips

• Identify your core values to find your personal "faithful remnant." Reflect on the values and beliefs that are most...

The Jewish Apostle Paul Summary Challenge to Traditional View of Paul's Change in Religious Affiliation

Paul Viewed Faith in Jesus as Fulfilling, Not Rejecting, Jewish Hopes

Lizorkin-Eyzenberg concludes his book by reiterating his central argument: The traditional view of Paul's shift from Judaism to Christianity is a misreading of Paul's self-understanding and his historical context. This traditional lens, the author argues, distorts Paul's beliefs and obscures the deep Jewish roots of his message.

Paul's Transformation in a Judaic Context

In place of "conversion," the author proposes a nuanced understanding of Paul's experience. Lizorkin-Eyzenberg suggests that Paul's meeting with the resurrected Jesus prompted a radical reorientation within Judaism, not an abandonment of it. He argues that Paul should be understood as shifting from one expression of Judaism to a different one—moving from a non-messianic form of Pharisaism to a Jesus-centered, apocalyptic form of Pharisaism.

Practical Tips -...