Reasonable Faith Podcast Was Paul a Failed Apocalyptic Prophet?
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Mar 23, 2026 Paula Fredrickson, historian of early Christianity who rereads Paul through a Jewish lens. She questions common assumptions about resurrection appearances and whether Paul remained observant of Judaism. She links Reformation-era readings to modern views of Paul. The conversation also probes textual reliability, differing Gospel portraits of Jesus, and Christianity's cultural impact.
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Fredrickson Acknowledges Something Happened At Easter
- Paula Fredrickson concedes the post-resurrection appearances required an explanation historians must account for.
- William Lane Craig notes she admits something dramatic happened Easter morning though she won't specify it, and this forces historical explanation beyond naturalism.
Paul's Jewish Identity Interpreted As Flexible
- Fredrickson argues Paul likely remained Jewish in practice and saw his mission as bringing pagans into Israel's God rather than abandoning Judaism.
- Craig responds Paul was flexible about Jewish boundary markers and didn't regard them as salvific, citing Romans and 1 Corinthians 9.
Reformation Rhetoric Shaped Modern Paul Image
- Fredrickson links the 'Paul against the law' image to Protestant Reformation rhetoric appropriating anti-Jewish tropes against Rome.
- Craig argues this reverses causality: Reformation attitudes existed and then targeted Catholicism, not the other way around.
