Christianity Quote by Reza Aslan
““Paul's portrayal of Jesus as Christ may sound familiar to contemporary Christians—it has since become the standard doctrine of the church—but it would have been downright bizarre to Jesus's Jewish followers. The transformation of the Nazarean into a divine, preexistent, literal son of God whose death and resurrection launch a new genus of eternal beings responsible for judging the world has no basis in any writings about Jesus that are even remotely contemporary with Paul's (a firm indication that Paul's Christ was likely his own creation).””
About This Quote
Source Book: “Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth” by Reza Aslan, 2013
Paul’s depiction of Jesus as divine diverges from early Jewish views, suggesting theological development rather than historical fact.
In simple terms: Paul reshaped Jesus’ image.
Key Takeaway
Recognize theological evolution.
Themes
history
theology
interpretation
Mood
analytical
inquisitive
Type
academic
historical
When to use this quote
- biblical scholarship
- faith discussions
- interfaith dialogue
- educational curricula
Key Concepts
religious studies
historical criticism
Questions to Reflect On
- How did early followers view Jesus?
- What drives doctrinal changes?
A Different Perspective
Historical evidence is limited and contested.
![“Paints a vivid picture of Jesus’ groundbreaking lessons . . . An impressively concise portrayal of Jesus as a moral philosopher [and] social reformer, just as one might study the teachings of the Buddha or the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. . . . Thorough and erudite . . . written in an almost…” quote by Oscar R. Nordstrom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/24a/oscar-r-nordstrom-267598_book-review_paints-a-vivid-picture-of-jesus-groundbr_2657197.jpg)
