Paul and the Creation of Christian Identity

Paul is traditionally viewed as separating from the churches of Peter and of Jewish Christ-followers to promote his own mission, eventually triumphing in the creation of a church with a gentile identity. In Paul and the Creation of Christian Identity, Campbell argues that the Pauline mission represents only one strand of the Christ-movement that should not be universalized to signify the whole. In conjunction with his gentile mission, Paul acknowledges Jewish identity as an abiding reality, rather than as a temporary, weak form of faith in Christ. Paul's gentile mission was not a reaction to his Jewish heritage, but a transformation based on his vision of Christ: thus the identity of Christianity cannot be that of a new religion.

'concise account of the history of modern research on the topic' 'My hope is that someone with Campbell's superb grasp of these issues in Paul might soon provide us with a considered engagement of contemporary Messianic Judaism, free of the reactionary polemic which so often characterizes responses from scholars within Jewish and mainstream Christian theology. Discussions of Jewish-Chrsitian relations can no longer continue with integrity without such engagements. Paul and the Creation of Christian Identity is essential reading for them' Doug Harink, King's University College, Canada--Sanford Lakoff, "Campbell has here produced a thoughtful challenge and contribution to a number of contemporary, scholarly themes. The issues touched on together with his particular conclusions are constructive."--Sanford Lakoff, "Campbell presents some compelling arguments as he charges the 'New Perspective' with not being radical enough in challenging Christian anti-Jewish rhetoric." Journal for the Study of the New Testament Booklist 2009--Sanford Lakoff "Journal for the Study of the New Testament ", "Clearly written... many good and thoughtful observations." David G. Horrell JSNTS Booklist, 2007--Sanford Lakoff, "William Campbell's study is a valuable contribution to our understanding of Christian identity formation in the first century CE... His grasp of the material is commendable, as is the precision with which he writes." Ralph J. Korner, Bryn Mawr Classical Review, July 2009--Sanford Lakoff

Dr. William S. Campbell, Reader in Biblical Studies, University of Wales, is author of 'Paul's Gospel in Inter-Cultural Context' (1992) and is Editor of Journal of Beliefs and Values.