Making Sense of Ancient Mysteries
Barrie Wilson Ph.D.
How did a Jewish rabbi from Galilee become a Gentile God-human? Who was Paul, really? Since he never met Jesus and rarely quotes him, what connection does Paul have to the movement? Why did early Christianity separate from its parent religion, Judaism? Who was James, Jesus' brother? What was the earliest form of Christianity really like? Would Jesus recognize the religion that bears his name today? Why was Mary the Mother of Jesus elevated and Mary Magdalene demoted within early Christianity? Why did Christianity espouse anti-Semitism? Why are there 4 canonical gospels - didn't Mark (the earliest gospel) get it right? Why did Matthew and Luke have to step in to "correct" him?
Barrie specializes in investigating puzzles such as these about early Christian origins. His latest book, How Jesus Became Christian, explores these questions. In it you will learn about the fascinating Christification process that explains many of the mysteries of early Christianity -- how the image of Jesus was made over as a Christ and how the religion of Jesus was hijacked by a religion about the Christ.
