In this episode, Tripp hosts New Testament scholar Matthew Thiessen to discuss his book on The Jewish Paul and explore a fresh understanding of Paul's letters within their proper Jewish context. Conversation Highlights: Paul's Jewish Identity: Matthew explains how we should understand Paul not as someone who left Judaism for Christianity, but as a Jew who maintained his Jewish identity while believing Jesus was the Messiah. The Law and Gentiles: The conversation explores the complex debates in early Christianity about how the Jewish law applied to Gentile believers, with Paul arguing that while the law remained important for Jews, certain aspects (like circumcision) were not required for Gentiles. Paul's Pharisaic Background: Matthew discusses how Paul's identity as a Pharisee shapes his understanding of the resurrection and how Jesus being raised from the dead modified but didn't abandon his pharisaic worldview. Resurrection Theology: The discussion examines how Paul's understanding of Jesus's resurrection as the "first fruits" reflects his Jewish eschatological hope, even while grappling with the surprising gap between Christ's resurrection and the general resurrection. Rethinking Christian Tradition: Tripp and Matthew discuss how recovering Paul's Jewish context challenges many modern Christian theological assumptions and opens up new possibilities for understanding his message. Reading Paul in His Context: The conversation explores how modern readers often misunderstand Paul by projecting post-Enlightenment concepts onto his writings rather than understanding his ancient cosmology and worldview. Check out Thiessen's previous visit to the podcast: Jesus & the Forces of Death You can WATCH the conversation on YouTube Matthew Thiessen is a professor at McMaster University specializing in early Judaism, Christian origins, and the relationship between early Christianity and Judaism. His work focuses on the rise of Christianity, particularly as it relates to early Judaism and the questions related to ethnicity and identity construction. Theology Beer Camp | St. Paul, MN | October 16-18, 2025 3 Days of Craft Nerdiness with 50+ Theologians & God-Pods and 600 new friends. A Five-Week Online Lenten Class w/ John Dominic Crossan Join us for a transformative 5-week Lenten journey on "Paul the Pharisee: Faith and Politics in a Divided World."This course examines the Apostle Paul as a Pharisee deeply engaged with the turbulent political and religious landscape of his time. Through the lens of his letters and historical context, we will explore Paul’s understanding of Jesus’ Life-Vision, his interpretation of the Execution-and-Resurrection, and their implications for nonviolence and faithful resistance against empire. Each week, we will delve into a specific aspect of Paul’s theology and legacy, reflecting on its relevance for our own age of autocracy and political turmoil. . For details and to sign-up for any donation, including 0, head over here. _____________________ Hang with 40+ Scholars & Podcasts and 600 people at Theology Beer Camp 2025 (Oct. 16-18) in St. Paul, MN. This podcast is a Homebrewed Christianity production. Follow the Homebrewed Christianity, Theology Nerd Throwdown, & The Rise of Bonhoeffer podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 80,000 other people by joining our Substack - Process This! Get instant access to over 45 classes at www.TheologyClass.com Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Homebrewed Christianity

Dr. Tripp Fuller

Matthew Thiessen: the Jewish Paul

MAR 20, 202568 MIN
Homebrewed Christianity

Matthew Thiessen: the Jewish Paul

MAR 20, 202568 MIN

Description

In this episode, Tripp hosts New Testament scholar Matthew Thiessen to discuss his book on The Jewish Paul and explore a fresh understanding of Paul's letters within their proper Jewish context.


Conversation Highlights:

  • Paul's Jewish Identity: Matthew explains how we should understand Paul not as someone who left Judaism for Christianity, but as a Jew who maintained his Jewish identity while believing Jesus was the Messiah.
  • The Law and Gentiles: The conversation explores the complex debates in early Christianity about how the Jewish law applied to Gentile believers, with Paul arguing that while the law remained important for Jews, certain aspects (like circumcision) were not required for Gentiles.
  • Paul's Pharisaic Background: Matthew discusses how Paul's identity as a Pharisee shapes his understanding of the resurrection and how Jesus being raised from the dead modified but didn't abandon his pharisaic worldview.
  • Resurrection Theology: The discussion examines how Paul's understanding of Jesus's resurrection as the "first fruits" reflects his Jewish eschatological hope, even while grappling with the surprising gap between Christ's resurrection and the general resurrection.
  • Rethinking Christian Tradition: Tripp and Matthew discuss how recovering Paul's Jewish context challenges many modern Christian theological assumptions and opens up new possibilities for understanding his message.
  • Reading Paul in His Context: The conversation explores how modern readers often misunderstand Paul by projecting post-Enlightenment concepts onto his writings rather than understanding his ancient cosmology and worldview.
  • Check out Thiessen's previous visit to the podcast: Jesus & the Forces of Death


You can WATCH the conversation on YouTube


Matthew Thiessen is a professor at McMaster University specializing in early Judaism, Christian origins, and the relationship between early Christianity and Judaism. His work focuses on the rise of Christianity, particularly as it relates to early Judaism and the questions related to ethnicity and identity construction.


Theology Beer Camp | St. Paul, MN | October 16-18, 2025

3 Days of Craft Nerdiness with 50+ Theologians & God-Pods and 600 new friends.


A Five-Week Online Lenten Class w/ John Dominic Crossan

Join us for a transformative 5-week Lenten journey on "Paul the Pharisee: Faith and Politics in a Divided World."This course examines the Apostle Paul as a Pharisee deeply engaged with the turbulent political and religious landscape of his time.

Through the lens of his letters and historical context, we will explore Paul’s understanding of Jesus’ Life-Vision, his interpretation of the Execution-and-Resurrection, and their implications for nonviolence and faithful resistance against empire. Each week, we will delve into a specific aspect of Paul’s theology and legacy, reflecting on its relevance for our own age of autocracy and political turmoil. . For details and to sign-up for any donation, including 0, head over here.

_____________________

Hang with 40+ Scholars & Podcasts and 600 people at Theology Beer Camp 2025 (Oct. 16-18) in St. Paul, MN.

This podcast is a Homebrewed Christianity production. Follow the Homebrewed Christianity, Theology Nerd Throwdown, & The Rise of Bonhoeffer podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 80,000 other people by joining our Substack - Process This! Get instant access to over 45 classes at www.TheologyClass.com

Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices