Understanding the Apostle Paul: A Two Hour Conversation

Paul is arguably the most influential human being in history. He is both loved and hated. praised and damned, but for billions of people he offers the fundamental foundation of Christianity--even more than Jesus in the Gospels. In the two-hour conversation I explore with David LeBlanc ‪@davidleblanc1811‬ the various parameters of understanding Paul in his own time--with implications for our world today.
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[@donmilland7606]

One thing that can be discerned from James Tabor is his keen eye for the decorative arts. One his walls, I first noticed the walls to be textured through decorative plaster but closer inspection shows well-executed faux marbling! Also, there's the buffet table right behind time with decorative artwork and gold accents. I Well Done!

[@JamesTaborVideos]

Ha! But did you not notice our little dog. Watch closely. My wife is an interior designer, painter, potter.

[@amyk6403]

I was thinking the same thing!

[@gregmorgan3508]

Nice exegesis!

[@Madmen604]

I noticed that too. What a lovely house you feel good vibes just from that little clip.

[@Madmen604]

@@JamesTaborVideos Ah!

[@AereForst]

Paul was truly inspired….but not by God.

[@tarikramadaan3342]

Christians believe in Paul as a apostle of God with no evidence to prove . How does Paul became an apostle ??

[@jonathanbarnes3061]

Unction led him to acts of faith that seemed impossible.

[@Madmen604]

@@jonathanbarnes3061 Unction by Christ on the road to Damascus?

[@ryandevries8931]

He wrote 2/3s of the N.T.

[@shmataboro8634]

He worked for Rome when they were creating the religion of Christianity. When you work for the elite, you get whatever title they choose to bestow on you.

[@ryandevries8931]

@@shmataboro8634 nope. Come on now. You either don't have a clue or your trolling

[@epicurusstan3223]

I treat the long videos as a podcast and turn it on while i do chores and the like

[@JK-qo4zp]

I believe that the 12 apostles and Paul split after the antioch Incident in Galatians 2. Paul says that Barnabas left him, that Peter wants Gentiles to live like Jews and that James basically represents the circumcision party. Paul on the other hand doesn't want anything to do with the law. He even says that anyone who practices circumcision loses Jesus. This is also one reason why the Ebionites rejected Paul. They even quoted this verse. That being said, Acts and Acts 15 are basically propaganda to present unity among the 12 and Paul and is therefore not reliable. Acts also doesn't even mention the antioch incident. And Paul on the hand doesn't mention the 4 commandments of Acts 15. And the reason why Barnabas left Paul in Acts and Galatians are also contradictory. For me it's clear, Paul is basically the founder of today's Christianity

[@youngknowledgeseeker]

If I could add some small nuance, Paul didn't seem interested in going around telling Jewish people they were not under the law of Moses and instead only made sure Gentiles who were faithful to the gospel know they don't have to be. Paul doesn't ban Jewish-Christians right to be Jewish, but warns Gentiles not to become Jewish for religious reasons and warns Jewish people to not force that idea into the gospel. He is clear that he thinks that no one believing in Christ is under the law but wouldn't purposefully antagonize a group of Jewish-Christians minding their own business with this. All this is to say that maybe they didn't split in an irreconcilable manner but were on neutral terms at the very least. Paul's accusation of Peter is very interesting, speaking to Peter he claims that Peter no longer lived like a Jew himself and so why would he force that idea onto Gentiles?

[@JK-qo4zp]

@@youngknowledgeseeker if you read Romans 7, Ephesians or Galatians, Paul even says that the law is ended for Jewish Christians as well. Anyone who gets circumcised loses Jesus, Christ will be of no value for him. James Tabor says the same. That being said, there was a split. But the problem is, we dont know for sure how and when. If you read Galatians, it could be after the Antioch incident. That would make sense. And Paul says that Peter wants Gentiles to live like Jews. These are not my words but Paul's words. And the reason why Peter didn't to want eat with Gentiles could be that Peter just didn't want to eat meat sacrificed to idols. Or since James is the head of the church, he changed his opinion. Peter never responded to this matter. Acts doesn't cover this incident up. But we know that Barnabas basically sided with Peter and James on the matter of Gentiles having to live like Jews.

[@JK-qo4zp]

@@youngknowledgeseekerAmbrosiaster (First-second Corinthians by Gerald Lewis Bray) "The Jewish believers who nevertheless continued to observe the law of Moses denied that Paul was an apostle because he taught that it was no longer necessary to be circumcised or observe the sabbath. Even the other apostles thought that he was teaching something different because of this, and they denied he was an apostle." 28.5.1-3. Epiphanius on Ebionites: "They break with Paul because he does not accept circumcision, but they also reject him because he said, "You who would be justified by the law have fallen away from grace" [Gal. 5:4] and "If you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you" [Gal. 5:2" James Tabor: *"I nonetheless hold that Paul as a Jew considered the Sinai covenant obsolete and abrogated, for Gentiles of course, but also for Jews."* *"none of Paul’s arguments apply only to gentiles."*

[@youngknowledgeseeker]

@@JK-qo4zp Yes I said that in my post, that he is clear he thinks that no one believing in Christ and the gospel is under Moses law any longer. However I think a case can be made that he doesn't force that idea and lifestyle change on Jews, he only forcefully demands that Gentiles, and particularly one's he's founded, are to understand this and be under no obligation to Jewish law. In Galatians he's speaking to non-Jewish Christians he himself founded. He's not speaking to Jewish Christians, that would have made his statement nonsensical. Nor is that a blanket ban on already Jewish people, it is simply a warning to Jewish-Gentiles to not attempt to become Jewish for religious purposes. Also, yes, I'm not ignoring that Paul claimed Peter did, I'm just highlighting the other parts of the letter for consideration alongside that. Peter and Barnabas at first *were* convinced that they could eat with the Gentiles (whatever that even means). Also Paul claims rather surely that Peter himself recognized that he didn't have to live like a Jew and wasn't (whatever that means). It sounds like Paul is claiming that Peter and the Apostles ok'd his Gentile conversion gospel and he's mad that Peter and potentiallu James is vascillating now. A split from Galatians is an interesting theory. But I wonder what outside evidence there would be to support or disprove this. You gave the Ebionites (from what century though?). However Marcion also claimed to be descended from Paul but look how much he butchered Paul's teaching as found in his letters. Once again, I should say, Paul thinks and teaches that no one in the gospel and in Christ are obligated to the law of Moses. However I would wager that he doesn't go around purposefully hitting Jews on the head with this and antagonizing them. He goes for Gentiles, and only when Jewish Christians are caught in the crossfire or attempt to create Judaizers in his congregations or Gentile congregations does he intervene. I think he offers compassion, tolerance and understanding to Jewish-Christians minding their own business or Jewish-Christians who respectfully and peacefully live within his congregation. is Paul in Corinthians who says "To to the Jew I became as a Jew. To those under the law, one under the law". It is Paul in Romans who says that the brothers who only eat vegetables are to be loved and tolerated and are still God's. In short, the small nuance I had wanted to add was thus, though Paul's gospel included freedom from the Law of Moses and New enslavement to the Law of Christ, he preached this message to the Gentiles and didn't go from Jew to Jew saying this. Only when Gentile congregations were being pulled away from this message did he intervene, and only if his congregation had become part Jewish believers would he tell the Jews the truth but allow them their practice as it is what they grew up with their whole lives.

[@JK-qo4zp]

@@youngknowledgeseeker this is the interesting part. In Antioch were also hellenestic Jews. In most churches were hellenestic Jews. Maybe not many but they existed outside of Jerusalem. But lets say he did only speak to Gentiles, as you yourself said, he basically teached that no one is under the law anymore. He even said that anybody who is circumcised loses Jesus and he critcises the dietary laws, holidays etc. For me personally, Paul is against the law in general. He also didn't care about food laws, eating blood or meat sacrificed to Idols which we find in Acts 15. As for Peter, Paul just said that Peter ate with Gentiles before the Jews of James came. He did not say that Peter was without the law or rejected the law. But he said that Peter wanted Gentiles to live like Jews and that Barnabas basically sided with the people of James. For me the second "to live like Jews" means to keep the law. Why? Because of the Jews of James, they wanted Gentiles to keep the law. There are now 2 or 3 options. Either Peter was at the beginning at the side of Paul and afterwards switched to the side of James (who was the head of the Church) with Barnabas. Or Peter had a reason why he wouldnt eat with the Gentiles. In the clementine homilies if I remember correctly, Peter says that he just didn't want to eat meat sacrificed to Idols. The letter to the Galatians doesn't say what happened after the Antioch Incident. And Acts doesn't even mention the Antioch Incident. Acts says that Barnabas split because of Mark from Paul. In Galatians its because of Peter and the Jews of James. Many scholars dont view Acts as reliable. And there are scholars who say that Paul and the 12 Apostles split. James Tabor is one of them. For me and others this happened in Antioch. There was early on a split. We have Jewish sects who rejected Paul and only believed in one gospel in Hebrew/Aramaic. And they claim to follow Peter and James too. As for Marcion he came much later. We know from Paul and Acts that during Paul's time already (Jewish) Christians rejected him. And the problem is that we basically have nothing before the Jewish war in 66/70 besides Paul's letters. This makes it impossible to be sure of anything. And we also have basically nothing from Jewish Christians in the first century. And according to scholars we don't have any writing from one of the 12. Chrysostom says that no apostle survived the Jewish war.

[@markcyphus3292]

You’re absolutely right. I love long talks of this type.

[@faturechi]

2 hours is the bare minimum for starting a conversation like this.

[@andrewternet8370]

Rare Jacob sighting

[@YouFeelWheel]

@faturechi Truth

[@hans.stein.]

Very true what you say about Markion and how he was in a weird way received so well by the churches (condemning him while adopting most of his false gnostic views).

[@RitaMurray-h4g]

I too can listen to James Tabor for hours and hours . Thank You

[@georgesparks7833]

A 2-hour video is too long? Well after I get done listening to one of Dr. Tabor's podcast. Then I get my Kindle and listen to an hour of his audiobook. LOL 😮 It's the truth

[@BabyfaceGaming101]

I take biting into the forbidden fruit as creation of agriculture and civilization...the sin in it is going from the lack of need for sin in hunter gatherer culture to the greed of humans that grew with agriculture and civilization...

[@johncruz-ds2zy]

James, the Lords brother, along with the 12 apostles according to Acts and Galatians dedicated themselves to reaching the jewish nation for Christ. In that endeavor history would that they failed. The Jewish people didn't Accept Jesus as their messiah. One might say, without Pauls writings and work. Christianity would have been at best a footnote in Jewish history.

[@theinvisibleworld888]

Dang , even walter white interviewed this man

[@WhiteDove73-888]

Luke literally wrote his gospel while traveling with Paul

[@anthonyjames4319]

Maybe.

[@benjaminclegg7109]

Is it still possible to actually reconstruct what Jesus' original school of thought was? Can you make a video about that?

[@geoattoronto]

Almost impossible to find Jesus, because his attitudes and perspectives were much too divergent from those who knew him. I think we have lost any clear statement of his essential message.

[@BabyfaceGaming101]

The best way to put it is to keep at least the 10 Commandments, including the 7th day Sabbath and holy days...however, he also kept the Torah aka the Laws of Moses...Jesus came as an example of how to honor God, to live like Jesus is to live the right path...he was a Jew that came to cleanse the Law of the Pharisees...easy peasy to answer...

[@195409ify]

IF you actually want Truth and Facts about the NT, I suggest watching Nehemiah Gordon, Mills Johns and Rood Awakening. Now I love our God Yehovah and His Son our Messiah and after 46 years of studying Scripture I can say without doubt the "Church" has been lying for 18 hundred years. For instance His Ministry was 70 weeks, more importantly the NT was not written in either Aramaic, Greek or Latin but Hebrew. Their findings and manuscripts prove it and you can verify them for yourselves.

[@deckiedeckie]

Paul did not fit the idea of christianity....always a pharisee....paid homage to the word alone......not to the deed....Hypocrisy can easily be masked w/words......not w/deeds....

[@longcastle4863]

Do the six letters Paul didn’t write, nevertheless give us helpful information about the early struggles and formation of Christianity? Also, did any money from the sites Paul set up trickle down to the church in Jerusalem? T/s 1:16:00

[@user-lo9po5mp5u]

I wish people would just ignore Paul's writings! We dont need them....we have Jesus words in the gospels. What more do Christians need? Paul gave nothing meaningful, only confusion. Satan is the father of confusion.

[@barnsweb52]

Paul was a biblical ignoramus folks - I fear James is so bewitched by the mythologies of Paul that he is not able to see his lies against God and Jesus. Do an internet search for "Romans proves Paul lied." Free yourself from the apostle of Satan.

[@BabyfaceGaming101]

I would rather watch this than watch SAW with my husband...at least this isn't gross and I can learn something from it...

[@onika700]

Judaism stopped teaching blood atonement because the temple was destroyed and they couldn't offer sacrifices anymore.

[@davekearney1944]

Did Mark act as Paul's mouthpiece? Paul gave the apostles little respect in his writings, and Mark treats them like buffoons. I'm assuming (perhaps incorrectly) that Mark was very familiar with Paul's teachings. He sure does seem to consider himself an Apostle of Paul.

[@salanzaldi4551]

@Joe Siegfried If good works don't matter then why is the story of the Good Smaratian in the Bible? Why is Matt. Ch 25 the separation of the sheep and the goats in the Bible? But as soon as you say this someone gets hysterical and accuses you of saying Jesus's death on the cross wasn't enough and you stll have to earn your salvation.

[@user-lo9po5mp5u]

Amen! And by their fruits you will know them.

[@Bodhi_118]

Thanks for making these 💖

[@hans.stein.]

Paul was truly an amazing man of God. He loved the fathers, and Moses, and David, and Isaiah. He understood what Messiah had to go through and was ready to follow and join him after he first had been an opposer due to the offense of the ΣΤΑΥΡΟΣ. The churches have never understood him, as they have not James nor John nor his revelation. A new time is to come.

[@Karen-0914]

Why should we believe the revelations experienced by just one man? That is just second-hand information.

[@tookie36]

Well you don’t have to… but if it syncs up with other early Christian writings and other church traditions then people have more than enough to continue a tradition and believe so accordingly.

[@effdonahue6595]

The Tortured Paul Department 😵‍💫

[@mwe9224]

My understanding is that Paul emphasizes "my Gospel" as preached to the audience/church he planted rather than alternative versions other members were interpreting to appease contentions within the congregation... "my Gospel" narrows it to what he (Paul) initially preached to the same church audience...

[@kiwicory100]

Good interview...wish you guys didn't talk over each other as much, but I guess you both have alot to say.

[@Moodboard39]

To much talking ...to much detail ...start to sleep ...thats just get to the point

[@TheSulross]

the Turin Shroud carbon dating has been scientifically overturned for years now - and the processes used were not done to standard rigor (but that is only a portion of the problems that lead to that dating now being rejected as valid)

[@davekearney1944]

Are you responding to a video discussing the Shroud of Turin?

[@ckotty]

Mr Tabor, It was a real pleasure. Time flew by. Please reconvene 👋🏽👋🏽👋🏽

[@patriciaoudart1508]

🙏💚🧡not seen yet but I'm reading the life of Paul in a french study of the 19th century...so will see if I understand him!🙏 But my big subject is what did he went to study 15years in Mesopotamia, because this is actual and could well explain his problem. And how he tried to solve it.

[@jasonbailey1002]

If James the Apostle could see his brother’s legacy today…

[@AereForst]

He wouldn’t recognize it because it isn’t Jesus’s legacy; it’s Paul’s.

[@lampsaltlight]

@@AereForst True! 💯

[@antonius3745]

@@AereForst And also Paul would not recognize it. Paul was no Christian! The Gnostics have changed the story and Christianity just came into existence after the year 64 when the temple was destroyed. That date is for sure. Paul did not create christianity that was a process after the destruction of the temple. Much texts of Paul have been rewritten espc by Gnostics. And the Gnostic became very opposed to Judaism ad there leading figure was Marcion who did corrupt the NT.

[@joecurran2811]

​@@AereForstImagine how furious they'd be to see it co-opted and propagandised for the Roman Empire they fought against

[@nadzach]

● O wretched man that i am, who shall DELIVER... im not a student of Paul, but you should remember that the benefits of Christ (the benefactor) include the first three graces (gifts)...to save, to heal and to deliver. Holiness is a faith that trusts in the forgivness of a loving father who has that forgiveness in his hand. Before you even think a sinful thought, his love will cover it. Salvation is of the heart. Healing is of the soul. DELIVERANCE is of the MIND and is directly related to HOLINESS.

[@JoeSiegfried]

People who quote Ephesians 2: 8-9 often fail to include the last line of this argument in verse 10, where he brings up the idea of being made for good works. Peace and blessings and thanks for all you do!

[@mike29shan25]

People because of religious tradition miss that this is a conversion experience or event. It coincides to me with parable of the sower.

[@lampsaltlight]

True! 💯

[@Moodboard39]

What about it

[@dbarker7794]

Great discussion and good job by the host. I don't like Paul but I really liked the book Paul and Jesus. Looking forward to reading the Schweitzer book on the mysticism angle.

[@br1qbat]

Personally love the detail you go into as I like the minutiae of how scholarship works.

[@xifangyangren9997]

What about my theory that Jesus was messing with the synagogue because they were irritating him! Even John says the cannibal discussion was so nasty, many followers quit! Jesus ain’t no vending machine! 😂

[@wicklunda]

They don’t seem long because you pack such quality information into them.

[@Madmen604]

I hear a lot that Catholics don't read the Bible. But in my day, every Catholic home had a family Bible. We could refer to it any time we wanted. I gave both my adult children a Bible as wedding presents. And in weekly Mass, every Sunday, both an epistle and a gospel passage is read. So, we heard a Bible reading at least every week for our entire youth! ( Sunday is A Holy day of obligation for Catholics, in the same way the Shabbat is for Jews) And it was discussed in the Priest's homily and often after Church at home. Also, we had Catechism class in school then, in which the Bible, including the Old Testament was referenced all the time. The psalms are written into most of the hymns we sing in Church too. So we get a good exposure to the Bible, or did when I was growing up.

[@ronkebarber6238]

The Apostle Paul's "Born out of due time " implies being in the same gestational period but delivered after the others. Paul, because of his zeal for the law of God, would have been one of the desciple of John the Baptist, as were Andrew, Peter etc., but followed Jesus Christ when He was made known to be the Messiah - the long-awaited Son of God, during His baptism, when the heavens opened and they heard God's voice. Matthew 3. He needed proof and got it only after the arrest, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. (I believe that he was the naked young man in Mark 14-51-52, persecuting Jesus till the end, for claiming to be the Messiah, the Son of man (David), and the Son of God!). Although he considered himself as an equal with the other desciples 2 Corinthians 12:11-12; Galatians 2:8; Ephesians 3:1-12; 1 Timothy 2:7; Philippians 3:7 etc. If not even better than them, by his deferred calling Luke 18:18-22, he even recognized the voice of Jesus Christ on his way to Damascus. He answered him, "Lord...!" Acts 9:5. I also believe that Apostle Paul had an encounter with both Apostle John and Daniel. Daniel 8:13; 2 Corinthians 12:2-10; Revelation 10:4, by His out of body experience of the unveiling of all hidden mystery of God, at the end of the age. 2 Corinthians 12:1-4. 14 years ago, Paul would have met with the Apostle John and Daniel- Revelation 4:1; Revelation 10:1-7, when the shut prophecies were ready to be accomplished, which I believe did have something to do with the mystery of God which had been hidden before the foundation of the world. Deuteronomy 29:29; Romans 16:25-26; Colossians I:25-29; Psalm 25:14; Matthew 13:11.

[@duffgordon9005]

It is my strong belief, since it is a truism, that we all bring bias' (biases?) to the table, that any youtuber from academia should put an *** asterick in the description 1) If the person is a believer - 2) Is an open minded 'searcher' 3) Does not, and never will believe in a "God"" and deny even the possibility of the supernatural. If number #3 , He/she will tend to be an Ebionite /James fan and, a despiser of Paul" Why Paul-- 1) His core letters are believed , even by 'liberal scholars to be of Paul's hand and dictation." Logically then, they cannot play the "Oh it was written "Late" no, no, no! 50's to 6o's as a thing called death limits how late they can go. They , in the end, have to let it out there that PAUL was a liar, and all of the miracles (as mostly found in the Acts ) are blatant lies . Although coming in as the last Apostle one might expect, PAUL HAD ZERO FAVOR, as a persecuetor of the earliest Church. 2) Paul's greatest "damage" may be I corinthians 15 - where he lays out, very logically, why he went "all in" , and the great cost to pay if he has been fooled. " His challlenge will forever be with the reader- As Paul exhorts, those who cannot believe in "thiis resserection thing" GO!! There are some 500 witnesses, many of whom are still alive!!"DRILL THEM WITH YOUR QUESTIONS! (my para) So we have a clear discussion , by Paul, not of a first hand witness, but a first hand witness of a multitude of living first hand lessons. I am 68, my dad was 40'ish when I was born, his GRANDFATHER was an 18 year old yankee in the Civil WAR, who passed when he was too young to question him. But when dad was a teenager he would go to Civil War reunions for the purpose of asking these old men every detail that crossed his young mind. That opened the door to ignite a lifetime passion for that war. My point is, speaking to a variety of WITNESSES must have ignited " a Christian fever" .. So if one will not believe -period- HE/SHE has to call Paul a majotr liar or completely deluisional. DO YOU UNDERSTAND HOW HUGE IS THE RAGE VS PAUL!! What does a skeptic do with this guy!! Yet Paul's letters are always logical , a critical thinker , a TRADER , who went all in betting on that resserection. Take your own survey on you tube where Paul is "the bad guy," "where James is the bad guy" It is `1000 to ? 200? no, 100-?, I say 5 . Now , in life, how ofen is the crowd right? As a lifelong Trader- the answer is almost never.

[@jennifferjude3156]

We do love long in depth videos with you Professor Tabor! Thank you so so much for all you do, truly thank you. Please keep them coming k?

[@barnsweb52]

God and Jesus - observe the Teachings of God to do them. Based on Standards and observation. Paul - "faith" and "belief" - flesh versus spirit - total nonsense and subjective. There was nothing such as "Noahide" until 1200 CE - it was unknown to Paul and Jesus. Are you guys knowing anything:?!!!!

[@ronkebarber6238]

And the Apostle Paul was the last desciple to be called by Jesus Luke 18:22. I believe he was also present at the time of the baptism of Jesus Christ, because he would have known about John the Baptist and everything he said concerning the Messiah, which could have prompted him, as a Pharisee of pharisees, to seek out validation from him in Luke 18. 1) The rich young ruler's main concern was to "inherit eternal life " vs 18. He judged himself worthy because he believed he had been obeying all the laws. 2) He had been listening to Jesus's teachings and was convinced that he was a man of authority, though, he wasn't ready to accept the fact He could be the Messiah, so he approached Jesus in a condescending manner- as he was a pharisee and they believed themselves to be above everyone else. So, he sucked up to Jesus by calling Him "Good Master ". Jesus saw through him and responded in a way that means He was God, if Paul believed that He was good, and went on to poke holes in his legalistic beliefs- he believed he never committed adultery, but Jesus taught that to just look on a maiden lustfully already constituted a breaking of the law, so was bearing false witness, which they were notorious for, but wouldn't admit to, so he was indirectly stealing from the temple coffers in the name of doing business for God Galatians 1:14; as was not honoring their fathers and mothers in the name of bringing offerings to the temple etc. and finally, told him to get rid of the source of his pride: his wealth, and distribute to the poor, as they usually pretended to do to look good before the people. He wasn't ready to even exchange that to gain eternal life, which Jesus understood (and gave him time before answering his calling vs 22). He began to follow Jesus from then onwards, persecuting Him just to get physical proof on Him as a fraud. I believe he was behind all the questions to get Jesus to break the laws- including paying taxes (Jesus was called the Son of David, David and his house have been tax exempt by King Saul, for slaying Goliath, by this they're negating His relationship with King David, hence, cannot be the Messiah, they even insult Him of being born of fornication, as Mary got pregnant before getting married John 8:41 etc.) 3) I believe he spearheaded the group that deceived Judas to betray Him, and those they bought to shout "crucify him " over and over again until Jesus was crucified on the cross. He really did persecute Jesus and by so doing, get to follow Him as other desciples, learning from His teachings all along, even sneaking behind to witness the last supper to confidently say he received it of the Lord 1 Corinthians 11:23, to make hin an Apostle born out of due time - long after his calling 1 Corinthians 15:8. 3) His anger made him turn his his back on his own life, and began to persecute everyone linked to Jesus, from Stephen up till the time he fell off his high horse- so to speak, and was forced to come to reality of who Jesus Christ really was- The Son if man(David), The Son of God, which he knew all along but his legalistic mind was resisting it: he finally called Jesus "Lord", though subconsciously, but he always knew He was Lord when he heard His voice again Acts 9:4-5. After this, he became so overzealous enough to begin to let everyone know that "Jesus was the Son of God, and the Messiah" vs 20,22. He began to immediately experience persecution himself, which got him to Arabia, where he had ample time and opportunity to review all the proof he had collected while he was persecuting Jesus 2 Timothy 4:13. He could even have been the naked young man, who was used to entrap JesusChriston the night of His arrest. Mark 14:51-52. (That was why he could write with so much understanding of the Lord in all his epistles). 4) Philippians 3 was where he finally came to terms with the fact that all his wealth could not be exchanged for the knowledge of Christ and gaining eternal life- his all life pursuit Luke18:18! This came at a price though - he lost all his fortune, that he wasn't willing to give up at that time: Luke 18:18-30, calling them "dung." But now, forgetting all his past life and pressing towards the prize of the "high calling " of Jesus, as he now sees it! That was why it was easy for the other desciples to extend to him the right hand of fellowship as the Apostle of the gentiles Galatians 2:9. That was also why he could withstand the other desciples when they were preaching the law and circumcision together with the grace of God in Christ Jesus in Acts 15. Immediately after preaching in the synagogue that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, Acts 9:20-22, God sent Barnabas to help him fulfill his calling, and spread the gospel if salvation to both Jews and gentiles, especially the gentiles. The gospel of the salvation of our souls is simply by grace through faith in the sacrificial death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the completed work of the cross that no one can add to or remove from by doing good or bad. The Holy Spirit was sent to guide, teach, interpret, and keep until the end, John 14:26. Thus, He quickenes the believers and takes them all up at rapture. Until then, we give ourselves to studying the scriptures to make ourselves approved unto God as workmen that need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth-daily! That was the reason why the Apostle loved his Jewish brethren so much that he wouldn't mind being accursed, as long as they can all (the 12 tribes), be saved! Romans 9:3! That was the reason he endures so much beatings and maltreatment from the Jews, who really hated him, but he continued to concern himself with them, even took up collection of money for the Jewish belivers, even though he was sent to the gentiles-39 stripes 5 timed, got shipwrecked, got bitten by a venomous snake, but like the Duracell battery, he still kept going strong till the end! How stinky and painful and full of putrefying sores, his body must have been, yet he kept on going... So he ran and finished his course and ensured that the outcast tribe of Benjamin, finally has a place in the body of Jesus Christ, and will sit with Him on the right hand of the throne of God, in heavenly places! He made and left us all a legacy, so we can all make it. Thus, he is free from the blood of everyone who rejects so great a salvation story!

[@36cmbr]

I got a feeling this will be less a conversation and more of an ax to grind, therefore; the 3 fib rule applies. Fib 1 @ 4:10 mark, fib 2 @ 11:29 - 12:48 mark and fib 3 @ 16:10 - 17:34. 3 fib rule = unreliable narrative. There is no fundamental scholarship here. Mr. Tabor asks that we accept in an exclusive and wildly delimiting fashion Paul’s version of what Jesus taught. That is to say accept Paul’s critique (a forthright rejection of Jesus Hebrew ideas) instead of the those ideas as they were presented by Jesus as a Hebrew. It’s not scholarly to study the premise separate from the conclusion, or to offer 10 or 8 pieces of a puzzle while representing that they will complete it. Paul is a rationalist and a critic of Hebrew ideas, namely Hebrew wisdom culture. The 13th self appointed apostle has no doctrine of his own, his claim to fame resides in versing Jesus ideas about loving your enemy while eschewing violence. Wisdom culture looks better when viewed through its own lenses and based on its own premises. People doing violence against other people is wrong and it is unwise to endorse wrongful behavior. In these times and at all times violence is unwise. Does it happen? Yes it does happen, but it is never the best option. Jesus does not teach other than that which is wise. Tabor’s version of Paul is asking us to reject Jesus’s teaching. It is a sly request and one not to be trusted out of context of scholastic investigations & evidentiary proceedings. 15:28

[@terencewinters2154]

PTSD . Lightning strike to head . Blind . Obsessed with sex and seeds for practical reasons his cells can't afford kids. Apocalypse is coming there's no sex or marriage in heaven.

[@simonskinner1450]

The Mystery?? Paul only reveals Jesus as Judge, as John which is written after Romans, and are parallel to each other teaching Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

[@paulkeniston5699]

Excellent Discussion. Its interesting how Paul ( a very well educated Jew) was able to receive and recognize the Will of God concerning non-Jews in the New Covenant. Also how the 'keeping of the law' was ultimately ineffective to have people quit behaving badly so now the walk of faith involving 'receiving spiritual instruction in righteousness via the mind of Christ' is the rule for Christian conduct.

[@simonskinner1450]

"Keeping of the law" of faith has never changed, remembering all not of faith is sin, those baptised must keep the law of righteousness and only doers of the law are justified.

[@ZeldaVandermerwe-c3b]

I think that Paul is critical to comprehending the walk forward being a true Christian without being registered in the mammon with other gods before Yhwh. Job 32:21-22 that anyone with a person or one with a title you will be lead away which means executed. Person comes from the Greek word kanah which is one with a title especially a surname. With Jesus saying in Mathew 6 verse 24 that one CANNOT serve both God and mammon. With Paul being a Pharisees well versed in Roman civil law before becoming a Christian his insight is critical. If one reads Paul one cannot read as Peter observed in 2 Peter 3:14-18 which even back then they battled to understand. One cannot quote or read single verses one needs to read and quote the whole chapter. Using the Samuel Johnson's dictionary of 1755 under surname it says a gentilious name. Under gentile it says one of a uncovenanted nation one who knows not the true God. Secular is opposite to spiritual. Legal is the law according to the of the old dispensation. Blacks law dictionary ver 4 defines a surname as a name added to ones real name. Humanism is the denying the divinity of Christ believing that mankind can reach perfection on their own and a person is a legal fiction a persona someone wearing a mask of identity. Yhwh created man and woman for the earth. Satan Through his devil's advocates created humans and persons. Jesus said be no part of the world just as I am no part of the world and the world is defined in the king James concordance as the "ornamental world of mankind". It is fake and there is no coincidence that Jesus was born exactly at the time where for taxation purposes had a census to set up this fake world which goes back to the pagans and never underestimate the spell of Satan he is in there as he is the ruler of the world. So when Augustus Ceacer declared himself saviour of the common people of Rome he meant in a legal sense he/they were talking about a saviour for them in a legal sense, you will be my legal subjects under Satan because their power is derived from all those that deny the Messiah. The whole world is under the power of the wicked one. Paul sheds about how to accept free Grace and complete faith in Yhwh through his son Jesus Christ. He clarifies the old covenants in Romans 7 and 8. Romans 13 is of particular interest to be subjects unto the higher powers Not Of the higher powers. This is a chapter one really needs to pay attention to comprehend ones walk to being before kings and magistrates for his names sake. What a remarkable prophet who's writings are hugely important to walk in Christs footsteps and how to accept free Grace.

[@JayDee-x2b]

Yeasty Pharisee tradition of Saul,Paul. See church circus named after Paul...not good fruit

[@duffgordon9005]

And counted God is righteous that’s ridiculous. It’s almost blasphemous. You see this guy. He’s already made his decision to leave Crisis Center, Corsica play a new Tabor to all the points. He wants to hear.

[@junepatterson7928]

I love information give factually. I appreciate the humor. It never feels like two hours. Thanks for being courageous.

[@nadzach]

When someone has a vision, a word, or a revelation, how is anyone expected to believe? Circumcision is a compond Hebrew word that is self explanatory. It's a reminder not to offend (cut it out! Don't be an of-fence to others.) But if Hebrew were a dying language, how was anyone supposed to benefit from that? After all, it isn't that we should cut off a hand or gouge out our eyes. But we should consider the seriousness of an offense. Love the Lord with all the heart, soul, mind and might is made possible by the four portions of faith. But we ought not to forget to love our neighbors as our own family. All of this is summed up for Abraham in circumcision. Interestingly, by circumcising the baby at 8 days, the boy doesn't have the opportunity to contest the veracity of Abraham's experience.

[@DoubleAAmazin]

Best thing about Paul's letters is they are more real life, unlike the Gospels which are magical adventure texts.

[@Skyhigh275]

I am waiting for James tabor conclusion which he never gets to..

[@tookie36]

Or god so loved the world he he gave his only begotten Son… All of creation needs saved. God sends his son and it begins to create the new creation. And it’s available for all but we don’t see it

[@gwenjenkins155]

In Revelation, John says we hav to have The Torah AND Yeshua to be saved.

[@edabreu7871]

Paul, another human who had delusions of grandeur, and who took advantage of the current events, and devised another system of control. Flavious had nothing on him.

[@hans.stein.]

Hope you do fine James Tabor. Ο ΩΝ Ο ΗΝ Ο ΕΡΧΌΜΕΝΟΣ is near. Η Ο ΘΕΟΣ ΠΑΛΙΝ ΕΝ ΠΑΣΙΝ.

[@AR-tb9hq]

look at that place... very classy home!

[@rhb30001]

We all know Paul taught from the Old Testament… I mean I just wasted my time here 🙄

[@garlandjones7709]

I believe Paul upheld the Torah. Why is this so hard to see for people?

[@alexxela8956]

Understanding the weed Paul was smoking should be a better title

[@fado792]

Paul invented Jesus. Richard Carrier PhD.

[@travisfoster8866]

I love the long deep dives. I'm still waiting for The Gospel According to James Tabor where you outline the deeds and theology of David Koresh for a popular audience in the style of a gospel narrative. I think it would be a crying shame if that book goes unwritten.

[@durhamgrigg3125]

Thank you both!

[@ronmara5968]

Tried to watch, commercials every 5 minutes

[@bethblevins3514]

I’m hooked !

[@silvypetrisor6979]

Only one church is 2000 years old Eastern Orthodox

[@sarabarnacle7276]

I have started this conversation several times, and each time there are a number of short disruptions, especially as Dr. Tabor speaks. Is there a fresh copy of this talk? I am not getting the "burps" in other KZbin videos. I hate missing any word from either man.

[@AntonyNorthcutt]

it's driving me bonkers too!

[@daddyo1952]

Very interesting videos. At 70 I understand less every year especially experiencing life and watching the corruption and sickos in the world grow stronger including those in the church. Why God cast Satan and a 3rd of eye angels to earth to cause more problems is a mystery to me. People have enough problems.

[@dennisstephens8793]

i think paul is important..because paul..was the first crime reporter whom spoke to witnesses

[@Solom0n2]

Love your work

[@theguyver4934]

Just like biblical and historical evidence proves that jesus and his apostles were vegatarians biblical and historical evidence also proves that the trinity, atonement, original sin and hell are very late misinterpretations and are not supported by the early creed hence its not a part of Christianity I pray that Allah swt revives Christianity both inside and out preserves and protects it and makes its massage be witnessed by all people but at the right moment, place and time The secred text of the Bible says ye shall know them by their fruits So too that I say to my christian brothers and sisters be fruitful and multiply Best regards from a Muslim ( line of ismail )

[@TheShutterbug1968]

Paul is the Benjamite wolf and the one save by HIS FAITH, in Habakuk 2 prophecy. Reject Paul...Follow Jesus!

[@forgivenwatcher8971]

He is also the one Jesus writes about in His 7 letters (epistles) to 7 CHURCHES, saying don't follow the one who says he's a Jew and is not(he is a Benjamite but claims he is Jew in the same sentence) and the one who claims he is an apostle and is not. No one else claimed to be an apostle. Jesus tells them NOT to eat meat sacrificed to idols, that definitely is Paul. I agree brother, reject Paul, follow the Torah, like Jesus.

[@ml1712]

Mr. Tabor... Do you believe Paul was a true or false apostle?

[@wordoftruthwjdnijah3467]

He met Jesus.. on the Damascus road!!

[@theguyver4934]

Just like biblical and historical evidence proves that jesus and his apostles were vegatarians biblical and historical evidence also proves that the trinity, atonement, original sin and hell are very late misinterpretations and are not supported by the early creed hence its not a part of Christianity I pray that Allah swt revives Christianity both inside and out preserves and protects it and makes its massage be witnessed by all people but at the right moment, place and time The secred text of the Bible says ye shall know them by their fruits So too that I say to my christian brothers and sisters be fruitful and multiply Best regards from a Muslim ( line of ismail )

[@user-lo9po5mp5u]

4 different accounts....😂

[@slottibarfast5402]

So are we making more out it Paul than is in the text? Unless Paul is some kind of inspired genius the tons of literature the lifetimes of sermons can't be justified. It's like Shakespeare, he was a smart guy and all but what is written about his plays can't be nearly correct. There is just too much of it and conflicting all over the place. Paul believed that Jesus was returning in his lifetime. How does that square with Jesus and Paul sharing some ultimate truth. Early Christianity was a mess. Sex was almost forbidden. You could not wear jewelry or makeup. Dancing and singing were out. You could not be a soldier or a politician. Christians did not mingle with others except to try and convert them because you might be tempted at any moment. The Christian life was like the ascetics life and that gets reflected down through the early ages. Life was to be endured for a greater life was ahead. To be a martyr was great, something to aspire towards, like Jesus, to die for your belief would mean a high place in heaven.

[@jimmyp1017]

This reminds me of Rudolf Steiner's teachings

[@sweetlord3672]

I guess there is another way to "understand" Paul and that is to ask yourself what was the man's problem? What was wrong with just living a quiet life in Tarsus, a perfectly fine city? I mean, seriously, why go out of your way and mess with other people's lives? And if you really are having psychotic events, like you think you saw Jesus, why do we all have to know about it?

[@Moodboard39]

What's ur point ? Are u claiming he's lying or telling the truth ? Paul net Jesus road to Damascus! Pretty straight forward

[@adamzandarski8933]

I don’t understand how you guys can read John chapter 6, where it’s like people thought this was a really hard teaching to accept, and they walked away, and then five seconds later be like this is so hard of teaching to accept I immediately reject it, we should walk away. Like why would you be surprised that the Jews who remain Jews would think such a teaching is abhorrent ? Of course they would that’s why they remain Jews and didn’t become Christians.

[@Moodboard39]

Because they reject salvation!

[@dukegroovy5162]

So Peter and James ect, who lived with and were taught by christ were very strict when it came tp following the Jewish law. Then Paul who only saw christ in a vision comes along and says forget the law. Paul's version of christianity has won,. Christians do not follow Jewish law which means that they are not following the teachings of Jesus and the original Apostles. They have been doing it wrong for thousands of years 🤓🤓 This makes no sense if there was a historical Jesus. Surely James' church would have said to paul, we lived and were taught by christ, James is his brother, you are just some nut that had a vision. Yet this didn't happen. If you take the historical Jesus out of the equation then no one has any real authority and Paul's easier version of Christianity easily wins

[@geoattoronto]

So the resurrected Jesus must have met personally with Paul enough times and perhaps ongoing to keep encouraging and instructing Paul.

[@nokhchi1079]

@@geoattoronto That's absurd! You really think that God sent Jesus to be followed and teach the disciples to spread his message. Then along comes Paul a person who persecuted Jesus' followers. Then suddenly started seeing visions of Jesus but then starts opposing all the close disciples, opposing all the teachings Jesus taught them. Absurd! How people can be duped so hard! But it were the gentiles pagans that were being duped because of their ignorance.

[@duffgordon9005]

Grace mixed with works is not grace prriod

[@eklypised]

Ive often wondered if Paul would had wanted his letters to Churches to become "scripture"

[@mike29shan25]

Good point because the cannon was put together by men

[@antonius3745]

indeed good point and he never would have imagined this would happen because he believed that the Kingdom of God would be in his lifetime. So there was no need for anything to write down as scripture. Secondly the Thora was enough for him. The Gospels even were not written yet. Most people forget that there was no gospel!

[@Moodboard39]

​@@antonius3745huh

[@Madmen604]

Paul's letter to the Corinthians (13) explains the relationship between good works and grace, imo. One is nothing without the other. If you have not love ( love being the energy of pure grace, pure Holy Spirit) your good works are nothing but clashing symbols etc... And if your heart is empathic and loving but doesn't express itself in 'good' choices and acts of love, then it is like hiding your light under a bushel. (a bushel is a unit of weight or measurement, very, very interesting) So , grace and good works are both required of us. The organized churches made grace v good works a false dichotomy, imo, concerning 'redemption'. It's a chicken or egg dilemma, lol. Any thoughts?

[@josephbarnabas1911]

It was Paul who dichotomized it. Becasue if good works of the believers still valid, then there is no need for jesus to die proving you grace of salvation by faith that he died for your sins.

[@geoattoronto]

Excellent observation!

[@Madmen604]

@@josephbarnabas1911 good point

[@Tuffwednesday]

🌴♥️♥️♥️

[@stalinsalazar2733]

My question about Paul is, if he thought the end was near, is it because "Jesus" told him such? Paul is the very definition of enigma

[@geoattoronto]

Of course, the resurrected Jesus could well meet with and train Paul. He can appear at wii and had to have been doing a lot of coaching of his followers or without Jesus and with persecution they would have lost momentum.

[@Moodboard39]

Paul said he got revelation from Christ himself ..he got from no one . He learned it from no man

[@douglaswright5689]

Prefer the long ones😊

[@Carelock]

Thank you Dr. Tabor!!! I truly hope there is are two available spots the next time you go to Israel!!!

[@beardedbrogaming6066]

What do you mean by that.

[@Darisiabgal7573]

If I watch something for 8 minutes and move on, its generally cause i thought it sucked.

[@onika700]

The Passover didn't originally have wine. That was added because of Roman influence.

[@tookie36]

No way. Bread and wine was a Jewish tradition since genesis

[@onika700]

@@tookie36 Passover came after Genesis and it was a hurried meal because they had to leave, hence the unleavened bread. Read about the Passover in Exodus. There was no wine.

[@simonskinner1450]

Dr Tabor Romans 1 is not written to unbelievers, but backsliders, and 2 is written to the same not hypothetical, and 3 singles out sinners as lost, but now Jesus can save them.

[@Moodboard39]

Roman written to all. Roman is the most powerful book in all the books Paul written

[@simonskinner1450]

@@Moodboard39 To have the wrong premise of the audience of Romans is terrible. "To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints:". Another myth in Christianity, and why I have a Ytube video series 'Myths in so-called Christianity'.

[@dukegroovy5162]

I don't understand how anyone can read paul an still believe in a historical christ

[@douglaswright5689]

As an apostle

[@peterdedman6307]

Nice decor james is that Carolina...fire going ...must be cold same here perth WA ...enjoy your day ...I am still waiting for my day to walk along city of david pool to wall

[@antonius3745]

I love this conversation. But did it also occur to you that what we call the genuine letters of Paul it s maybe even much redacted by others. Meaning could it be for instance Romans 1-3 is just a redactional subscript on the real letter? In the Netherlands we have a scholar who has even reduced the genuine letters to just fragments. For Romans it means just part of chapter 5, 12 -14 a real Pauline words. The discussion about I Corinthians 11 on the Last supper discussion it is for me very clear it are not real Pauline words. In the context it makes no sense and it is to much church-issue-talk so to say. The first part of the chapter has the same issue concerning the woman in the church. This text is literally a copy from I Timotheus. Also the Greek text is from an total other style then chapter 10 or 12. It is clear this is not from Paul. I love for instance the book of Pamela Eisenbaum Paul was no Christian.

[@nadzach]

Righteousness is a grace to be accepted. While salvation quickens the heart with new love of family, (as in turning the heart of fathers to children and children to fathers,) salvation does not remove desires offensive to God. Salvation is primarily about the heart. Rightousness is about the soul. By "soul" I mean to say the WILL. There is God's will...and there is a man's will. The will is what moves us to act. When you use the word will in a sentence, you are probably referring to this idea of your will to do a thing. So, to accept the gift of righteousness is to accept God's will--"Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." And if you are truly righteous by faith, you are probably experiencing a conflict...even a war! When your will is offensive to God and man, there is available a circumcision of the heart. It isn't as painful as it sounds.

[@ConsideringPhlebas]

"Paul is misapplying Habakkuk, taking it right out of context." @~53 mins Sorry, but Dr. Tabor is plain wrong about Paul's reading of Habakkuk 2:4. Even the Jewish 1985 JPS translation renders Habakkuk 2:4 as: "the righteous man is rewarded with life for his fidelity." (Sefaria) Which is very much in the same vein as Paul's reading that the righteous one's faith is what saves him in Romans 1:16-17 ("it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes"). Of course, if God saves a person for their faith, that person is implicitly counted as righteous, ipso facto. Radak offers a similar idea, commenting on Habakkuk 2:4, he affirms the salvific significance of faith in the verse: וצדיק. אבל הצדיק אינו כן כי נפשו שפלה ומפחד תמיד מהאל יתברך לפיכך יחיה באמונתו באל יתברך וינצל מהרעה שתבא לרשע "'And the righteous,' but the righteous one, it is not so for him. Because his soul is humble and in continual fear of God, he shall be blessed. Therefore he shall live in his faith in God, he shall be blessed and saved/delivered from the evil that comes to the wicked." So even Jewish interpreters understand yichyeh (יִחְיֶה) in that verse not merely as intending that the righteous one shall practice faith in his life but also that he shall "live," i.e., be saved and delivered, because of his faith. A very similar construction appears in Ezekiel 18:21 wherein the penitent is said to 'live' (יִחְיֶה), i.e., be spared and survive, because of their repentance, clearly entailing a causal relationship between repentance and salvation, just as Paul reads the parallel construction in Habakkuk 2:4 as entailing a causal relationship between faith and salvation. Ezekiel 18:21 reads: "But if the wicked turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all My statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live (יִחְיֶה), he shall not die." Similar is stated in the next verse, 22: "for his righteousness that he hath done he shall live (יִחְיֶה)." So in summary, Habakkuk 2:4 can indeed be read as entailing that someone will be saved because of their faith, not just that they shall live their lives with faith in God.

[@ConsideringPhlebas]

@wesley8173 No problem 👍

[@jwoldner3926]

Kabala denighs christ

[@stevenstreadwick6932]

Does anyone here know of MWM The Gospel revolution? How about Mauro Biglio or Paul Wallis??

[@torjusekkje6264]

Paul was talking about the judgement in year 70. and it happened in his lifetime, or almost.