The Mythmaker: Paul and the Invention of Christianity

The Author Presents New Arguments Which Support The View That Paul, Not Jesus, Was The Founder Of Christianity. He Argues That Jesus And Also His Immediate Disciples James And Peter Were Life-long Adherents Of Pharisaic Judaism. Paul, However, Was Not, As He Claimed, A Native-born Jew Of Pharisee Upbringing, But Came In Fact From A Gentile Background. He Maintains That It Was Paul Alone Who Created A New Religion By His Vision Of Jesus As A Divine Saviour Who Died To Save Humanity. This Concept, Which Went Far Beyond The Messianic Claims Of Jesus, Was An Amalgamation Of Ideas Derived From Hellenistic Religion, Especially From Gnosticism And The Mystery Cults. Paul Played A Devious And Adventurous Political Game With Jesus' Followers Of The So-called Jerusalem Church, Who Eventually Disowned Him. The Conclusions Of This Historical And Psychological Study Will Come As A Shock To Many Readers, But It Is Nevertheless A Book Which Cannot Be Ignored By Anyone Concerned With The Foundations Of Our Culture And Society. -- Book Jacket. Part I: Saul -- The Problem Of Paul -- The Standpoint Of This Book -- The Pharisees -- Was Jesus A Pharisee? -- Why Was Jesus Crucified? -- Was Paul A Pharisee? -- Alleged Rabbinical Style In Paul's Epistles -- Paul And Stephen -- Part Ii: Paul -- The Road To Damascus -- Damascus And After -- Paul And The Eucharist -- The Jerusalem Church -- The Split -- The Trial Of Paul -- The Evidence Of The Ebionites -- The Mythmaker. Hyam Maccoby. Includes Indexes. Bibliography: P. 222-228.