HOW JESUS BECAME CHRISTIAN
Summary of How Jesus Became Christian by Barrie Wilson
Barrie Wilson’s How Jesus Became Christian presents a controversial thesis about the transformation of Jesus from a Jewish teacher into the divine figure of Christianity. The book explores how early Christian leaders, particularly Paul, reshaped Jesus’ teachings into a new religion distinct from Judaism.
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Key Themes and Structure
1. The Cover-Up of Jesus’ Jewish Identity
• Wilson argues that Jesus was a devout Jew who followed Jewish law and taught within the framework of Judaism.
• However, early Christian leaders, especially Paul, reinterpreted Jesus’ teachings, presenting him as the divine Christ rather than a Jewish Messiah.
• Wilson calls this process the “Jesus Cover-Up Thesis”, where Paul’s Christ Movement replaced the original teachings of Jesus with a new faith centered on Jesus as a divine being.
2. The Conflict Between the Jesus Movement and the Christ Movement
• The Jesus Movement, led by James (Jesus’ brother) and the original disciples, remained within Judaism.
• The Christ Movement, led by Paul, created a new religious identity that moved away from Jewish law and traditions.
• This new version of Christianity gained dominance and ultimately overshadowed the original Jewish followers of Jesus.
3. Paul’s Radical Transformation of Jesus’ Message
• Paul never met Jesus in person but claimed a divine revelation of Christ.
• He downplayed Jewish laws and customs, making Christianity more appealing to Gentiles.
• Paul’s writings and influence on the New Testament shaped Christianity as a universal religion distinct from Judaism.
4. Anti-Judaism in Early Christianity
• The book explores how early Christian texts demonized Jewish leaders and practices, distancing Christianity from its Jewish roots.
• This led to anti-Semitic attitudes in Christian history, which Wilson argues were embedded in the New Testament itself.
5. The Shift from a Historical Jesus to a Divine Christ
• Wilson explains how Jesus’ image evolved from a Jewish teacher to a divine, pre-existent Christ in early Christian theology.
• This transformation was reinforced through doctrinal developments, Church councils, and the eventual rejection of Jewish traditions in Christian thought.
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Conclusion
Wilson’s book is a provocative examination of the origins of Christianity, challenging traditional views. He argues that Christianity, as we know it, is more a product of Paul’s influence than Jesus’ actual teachings. The book encourages readers to rethink the historical Jesus and the evolution of early Christian beliefs.
