Matthew Thiessen, “A Jewish Paul: Restoring the Apostle Paul to His Roots,” March 12, 2024

Did Paul break from Judaism to start a new religion called Christianity? For most readers through history, the answer to this question is a resounding Yes! But in his lecture, Prof. Matthew Thiessen reasons that a careful reading of his letters in their historical context demonstrates the thoroughgoing Jewishness of this oft-misunderstood ancient Jew.

Matthew Thiessen (PhD, Duke University) is Associate Professor of Religious Studies at McMaster University. He studies the origins of Christianity within ancient Judaism. He is the author of numerous books, including "A Jewish Paul: The Messiah's Herald to the Gentiles," "Paul and the Gentile Problem," "Jesus and the Forces of Death," and "Contesting Conversion: Genealogy, Circumcision, and Identity in Ancient Judaism and Christianity," which was awarded the Manfred Lautenschlaeger Award for Theological Promise.