"Christ Cult" |
"Denationalizing Christ" |
Paul saw worship of Jesus as a way to bring together both Jews and Gentiles. |
Paul took the message of Jesus to non-Jews as well. |
The Christ cult was an alternative to Judaism rather than a variant of it. |
The term "Christ" (peculiar to Judaism) now becomes a term for everyone. |
Belief in Jesus as the Christ could replace or equal belief in the Torah and make Gentiles "honorary Jews". |
The last days and redemption now are for the world, not just the Jewish nation. |
The Christ cult developed rituals for worshipping Jesus such as baptism and the Eucharist. Paul gives those rituals cosmic significance. |
The historical Jesus is removed from Davidic genealogy to become a cosmic figure. |
The belief that Jesus died for the sins of all is a major characteristic of the Christ cult. |
Paul emphasized Jesus's divine spirit and guidance rather than the historical Jesus. |
Paul makes Jewish apocalyptic into a universal cosmic design, foreseen from the beginning of time. |
Paul shifted away from the necessity of identification with the nation of Israel. |
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Paul de-emphasized the Jewish roots of the movement. |
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Paul emphasized Jesus's death and resurrection more than his teachings. |
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Paul de-emphasized those aspects of Torah that were difficult for non-Jews to accept. |