Index	Commentary	Discussion
Commentary - How Jesus Became Christian - The Cover Up - Wayne Holst
Background: This study is designed for thoughtful, progressive and critically- minded Christians who want to probe deeply into the nature of Judaism and the Pauline Christianity that emerged from the complex ethos of the early church. This class is for those who desire a more informed awareness of  the similarities and differences between the Jewish and Christian faiths from the time they began to diverge as separate entities. We hope to level the playing field and free ourselves from some of the biases that have poisoned relations between Jews and Christians for two millennia. Students who wish to build bridges of mutual understanding between Jews and Christians - friends, family members, etc. will hopefully benefit from taking this study. ___ Barrie Wilson is a religious studies professor at York University, Toronto. He was an Anglican who converted to Judaism because - the more he studied the life and teachings of Jesus (as recorded in the Gospels and other early texts, and his subsequent interpretation of Jesus by Luke and Paul (as they are recorded in Luke-Acts and the New Testament letters) - the more he became convinced that a major disconnect exists. Jesus was truly a Jew. His message was authentically and essentially grounded in the Jewish faith. Paul sought to interpret Jesus' message to non-Jews. Wilson believes that in the process, Paul - who had never met Jesus personally and who had initially rejected Jesus and his followers, believing them to be heretical Jews - was very successful in transforming Jesus into a different person with a different message. As a result of his continuing studies and evolving convictions, Wilson grew convinced that he needed to forsake Christianity and become a follower of Judaism. "How Jesus Became Christian" is a testimony to transformation in the author's faith journey. Wilson writes in a language non-academics will understand but he also uses contemporary critical scholarship to support his arguments. Why Study this book? 1. We can come to understand Jesus as others understand him and in ways that differ from the "post Easter" interpretations that have dominated traditional Christian thinking. 2. We can better recognize and account for the biases against Judaism that existed in the newly emerging Christianity of the early church. We can grow more familiar with Jewish biases against Christians. 3. We can take corrective steps in our developing (formal and inforal) dialogue with Jews and Judaism as we try to overcome centuries of serious misunderstanding, often with tragic consequences. ***** Author's Argument: "The Jesus Coverup Thesis" (pp. xi - vx) Four key points of the book - 1. Jesus was Jewish and his message emerged from a Jewish context. 2. Paul took this message and repackaged it for a non-Jewish audience. 3. This new religion of Jesus evolved in the early church. It became extemely successful beyond its original Jewish constituency. 4. The upshot was much misunderstanding and conflict between Judaism and Christianity that has continued to this day. Author's elaboration (pp. 2-3): 1. This thesis contends that the original message of Jesus and the Jesus Movement, Jesus' earliest followers in Jerusalem, became switched for a different religion. 2. Further, there was an important shift away from the teachings of Jesus to those about the Christ (i.e. from the "Jesus of history" to the "Christ of faith.") 3. One significant result of this study should be that we can learn to understand Christian anti-semitism in a new way.
Summary of Discussion Notes
Small Group discussion starters: 1. I want to AFFIRM these things as I begin this study... 2. I want to DISCOVER these NEW things from this study... ***** Participants were not asked to provide specific answers to these questions in our closing feedback session, but were encouraged to share in plenary any interesting thoughts or ideas that emerged from their discussions. Several interesting ideas emerged from the general feedback: "I want to be a critical thinker as I engage in this study." "I was to develop a better understanding of progressive Christianity  as a result of this study." Other contributions: Critical thinking has become second nature to us. We assume a questionning approach and then seek to integrate it to our lives as progressive Christians today. The Jewish faith would appear to be more "pro-practice" than "pro-belief" and, as such, provides a good example for us. We approach this study by looking through various lenses. We do not seek final, or definitive, answers. We need to be "aware" of the reality of differing perspectives and need mentors who present us with various options, not specific directives, for us to consider.
Clicking the icon left will activate the e-mail on your machine and direct your comments to us. Comments are welcome and will be posted with usual editorial courtesies. St. David's United Church.Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Jan 2008