The Pulling the Thread Podcast

The complex network of influences shaping Paul’s theology and its pivotal role in shaping early Christian thought can be unraveled by examining the dynamic interplay between Hellenistic Enochian Judaism, the distinctive Pesher teaching of the Qumran community, and the impact of Gnostic and Platonic ideas, as exemplified by writers like Philo. This exploration delves into the profound impact of these diverse influences on different aspects of Paul’s writings, revealing their significant role in the formulation of early Christian beliefs that diverged from the established norms of Judaism during that period, thereby giving rise to an entirely distinct ideology.

Eventually Rabbinic Judaism emerged as a dominant form of Jewish religious expression, with its roots extending back to the Babylonian exile, where the Jewish community faced the challenge of maintaining their faith in a foreign land. The Maccabean period witnessed a struggle for religious freedom and autonomy, setting the stage for the development of Jewish identity. During the first and second centuries CE, following the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE, Rabbinic Judaism gained prominence as a response to the changing socio-political landscape. The Jewish sages, or rabbis, played a crucial role in preserving and interpreting Jewish tradition, codifying oral law into written form in texts such as the Mishnah. This period marked a shift from temple-centric practices to a more decentralized and synagogue-based worship, with an emphasis on study, interpretation, and the evolving role of the rabbinic authority in guiding Jewish life and practice.

The formation of Rabbinic Judaism was characterized by a zealous commitment to the Torah and the preservation of Jewish traditions amidst challenging historical circumstances. The rabbis, emerging as influential figures, emphasized the study and meticulous observance of the Torah, fostering a strong sense of Jewish identity and continuity. In contrast, Hellenistic (Enochian) Judaism during the same period displayed a tendency to assimilate with Greco-Roman culture. Influenced by the Hellenistic environment, some Jewish communities embraced aspects of Greek philosophy, language, and customs, seeking a harmonious coexistence with the dominant Hellenistic culture. This assimilative approach often led to a blending of Jewish and Hellenistic elements, challenging the traditional boundaries of Jewish identity and practice. The dichotomy between the zealous adherence to Torah in Rabbinic Judaism and the inclination towards cultural assimilation in Hellenistic (Enochian) Judaism highlights the diverse responses of Jewish communities to the cultural forces shaping their respective environments.

The rise of Hellenistic Judaism shares striking parallels with the emergence of Pauline Christianity, with both movements navigating the cultural crossroads of Hellenistic influence. The fusion of Jewish traditions with Greek philosophy, exemplified by figures like Philo and Josephus, may have played a formative role in shaping Paul’s divergent views. Influenced by Hellenistic ideas, both Hellenistic Judaism and Pauline Christianity exhibited a willingness to engage with broader philosophical concepts, integrating them into their theological frameworks. Paul’s mission to draw Gentiles away from Rabbinic Judaism towards a more Hellenistic perspective aligns with the inclination of Hellenistic Judaism to bridge the gap between Jewish and Greek thought. The cultural syncretism evident in Hellenistic Judaism, coupled with Paul’s own Hellenistic background, likely contributed to the development of a Christianity that resonated with a broader, more diverse audience beyond traditional Jewish circles.

The Qumran community, renowned for the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, employed the Pesher method of scriptural interpretation. This method involved allegorical and prophetic interpretations of biblical texts. Paul’s frequent use of allegorical interpretations and his interweaving of passages from the Tanakh to support his theological arguments align with the Qumran community’s Pesher approach yet diverges greatly into hellenstic thought and away from the normative Judaism of the time.

Hellenistic Enochian Judaism, influenced by Greek philosophy during the Hellenistic period, left an indelible mark on Paul’s writings. Concepts like dualism, the role of Metatron, the Memra (Logos), and Neoplatonism found their way into Paul’s beliefs and theological framework, creating a distinct divergence from normative Jewish thought of that time period.

The extent of influence on Paul from these sources is a subject of debate. Paul’s writings exhibit references to traditional Jewish concepts, such as the Law, the Messiah, and the resurrection of the dead. However, his discussions on cosmic dualism and the introduction of the term “Logos” suggest a fusion of influences from Hellenistic or Enochian Judaism, borrowing from the Memra tradition found in some Targum and Apocryphal texts, thus diverging from the normative Judaism of his time.

Advocates for significant influences highlight parallels between Paul’s writings and ideas from Hellenistic (Enochian) Judaism and Qumran’s Pesher texts. Instances like Paul’s use of the figure of Adam in Romans 5 mirroring Hellenistic (Enochian) Judaism’s use of Enoch underscore these connections. Similarly, his allegorical interpretation in Galatians 4 aligns with Qumran’s Pesher method.

Esteemed scholars like John J. Collins, James H. Charlesworth, and George W.E. Nickelsburg offer insights into Paul’s potential influences. Collins suggests connections between Paul’s theology and Enochic literature, particularly noting the resemblance between Colossians 1:15-19 and Enochic descriptions of Metatron. Charlesworth explores Paul’s potential indebtedness to Enochic literature in terms of resurrection concepts. Nickelsburg associates Paul’s ideas in Romans 8:29 and Philippians 2:6-11 with the Enochic Book of Parables.

Elaine Pagels, an advocate for the influence of Gnostic ideas, suggests that Paul’s concept of the devil might find its roots in Gnostic dualism. Furthermore, the introduction of the concepts of Metatron and Memra (Logos) played a crucial role in shaping Paul’s teachings regarding the Jesus figure he claimed to have encountered. This departure from the beliefs of those who had direct interactions with the historical Jesus, such as James (the brother of Jesus), and Simon (another brother), who the Ebionites considere there leaders, is notable. These individuals perceived Jesus as a mere human, born through a conventional physical relationship between Mary and Joseph. According to their beliefs, Jesus lacked divinity, did not experience resurrection, held no power to save individuals, and was simply a prophet advocating for the cessation of temple sacrifices. Additionally, they viewed him as a would-be king whose aspirations were cut short, with James, his brother, assuming a successor role and Simon after him. These perspectives align more closely with the norms of Judaism during that period, sharply contrasting with Paul’s divergence into a distinctly Hellenistic framework.

Paul’s concept of the Logos, the divine Word (Memra) or Wisdom (Sofia), reflects a fusion of Hellenistic Judaism and Greek philosophy. While the Memra in Hellenistic Enochian Judaism influenced Paul’s Logos concept, the Jewish tradition viewed Memra merely as a way of denoting when the Lord spoke through a prophet, in Platonic thought this diverged into distinct pre-existent, divine being. The Memra of Jewish tradtion wasn’t seen as a seperate person but as a way to guard the name of God, much the way many Jews use the term “HaShem”, meaning the name, to guard the divine name from vein use.

The concepts of the Divine Council and Two Powers in Heaven found in some Apocryphal Jewish texts within the Hellenistic (Enochian) Judaism, a divergent branch of Judaism that was discarded by the time of the formation of Rabbinic Judaism, these ideas provided a framework for Paul’s references to cosmic powers, principalities, and rulers in the spiritual realms, contributing to his view of Jesus as exalted and a mediator between God and humanity.

While the extent of Paul’s direct adoption of Qumran’s Pesher interpretation is debatable, scholars like Michael A. Knibb argue that Paul’s use of allegory aligns with Qumran’s Pesher method. Paul’s pesher-like interpretations of the Hebrew Bible, evident in his letters, suggest a that his approach to scriptural interpretation diverged from the normative Judaism of his contemporary Rabbis, as he diverged greatly from the likes of Hillel and Shammai, and other Rabbi’s who formed the thought of the period of time that he existed in.

The multifaceted influences of Hellenistic (Enochian) Judaism, Qumran’s Pesher teaching, and Platonic thought on the development of Paul’s theology are undeniable. Paul’s divergence from the normative Judaism of his time, guided by these influences, played a pivotal role in shaping early Christian beliefs and doctrines. His theology, imprinted with diverse sources, became a dominant force in early Christianity, eventually solidifying through the influence of the Roman Empire under figures like Constantine.