Musings On Early Christianity



I’ve written elsewhere of my opinion that Jesus was likely a historical figure, a well liked rabbi and advocate for change, who ran afoul of the state, and was executed by crucifixion. It is my opinion that during Christs crucifixion, a solar eclipse passed, which was the most pivotal event in Western history: people associated this rare , but dramatic and even frightening event , with Jesus. This real world event, documented by NASA was the bridge from man to miracle worker. Perhaps he wasn’t much more than a typical prophet of his day, and were it not for the coincidence of the eclipse at his crucifixion, there would have been no further cause for mystic belief. It was the rare, impressive coincidence of an eclipse that caused people to have a foundation, that Jesus was truly sent by God. It is easy to see , from this standpoint, how the crucifixion, and associated myth would gain so much traction. If the Gospels are correct, and Jesus died at the onset of an eclipse, it is easy to conceptualize as to how many who saw the eclipse would have interpreted his resurrection then and there: a glorious entry to heaven.



The best proxy we have of early Christian beliefs is from Paul’s writings, perhaps 15-20 years after the crucifixion. We know Paul believed that Christ was resurrected, and was buried. He makes no mention of a tomb, this development is not to be present until Mark.



The apostles in Judea, whom were under Jesus teachings would have had little reason to change anything from their teachers sayings.



Paul, in claiming to be an initial oppressor of Christianity, would have been familiar with its beliefs. We have no idea what they were, save for what snippets Paul tells us are of his gospel. He had little to say on the life, sayings, and deeds of Jesus, as he never met him. Instead he constructed a theology. This apocalyptic prophet was sent by God. Paul’s object was to convert Gentiles, or fellow romans. His, and epistles in his name, mainly focus on theology.



Christianity , in its recognized form, would never be acceptable to devout Jews; for it abandons the law, and offers a co-diety to worship. Christianitys concept of three gods is considered blasphemous and idolatry to both Jews and Muslims. Expecting either to worship a co-diety is as repelling to them as asking a Christian to include the worship of Shiva or Perun. Thus, it is doubtful that the early Christian architects had much desire to convert devout Jews, instead, the religion was manufactured for Gentiles.



The centrality of Christianity is the resurrection of a god-man, and via blood-magic did this prophet save the world. Paul’s insistence that belief is central for this magic to work. The promise was a blissful afterlife, which would be understandably thirsty for by those whom are oppressed. On the contrary, failure to belief brings the threat of eternal suffering.



Paul, in trying to win over gentiles, abandoned the Law, including the need for circumcision, which most gentiles found unpalatable. Meanwhile, he had to develop a system where this new God man was predicted and prophecised from the past, such that he had essentially reduced Judiasm to a mere prolog to Jesus. Most devout Jews would have found this notion repugnant, but Gentiles, would have easily accepted this new reframing.



It is unclear what his motives for doing this: why did Paul invent a new religion? We shouldn’t be too quick to assert that he invented any of the concepts at all, but rather consider he likely took credit for them.



It makes sense that Jesus’s followers would likely have bee. Illiterate peasants, even Peter’s letters are considered forgeries. While disagreements are noted, it is Paul’s theology that triumphs over Peter, which makes little sense—since Peter was supposedly Jesus right hand man.



Thus , it is likely that Paul fabricated encounters with Jesus disciples: who was there to challenge him?

Still, we wonder what we’re his motives? Why did this man choose to abandon the faith he was raised and start a branching cult? Perhaps it is the same reasons why we cult leaders of any time. A mix of charisma, narcissism, desire to control others, and financial gain are all motives to start a cult. We see evidence of these traits in Paul’s letters.

He would have had remarkable charisma, to get his travels, lodging, funded by churches.

His presence, his new religion, was likely very different from what was believed and practiced in Judea. What is striking is that while Jerusalem is considered a holy city, it should have been the center of Christianity, not Rome.



The reason for this was Christianity was intended for pagans, mixing polytheism, blood magic, and mystery. It’s only tie to Judaism is it claimed ancient, respected roots , so as to give it authenticity.

It seems that the most successful of new religions spring from one that is already well established: from Aten: Judiasm; from Judiasm: Christianity; from Christianity: Islam, Mormonism , and Jehovahs Witnesses.



Paul’s religion strikes me as not necessarily something he, or even his contemporaries (fellow well educated, elite, wealthy) personally believed in, but rather it is a religion, deliberately invented, for the segment of society he wasn’t actually a part of, namely the poor, uneducated, and enslaved.



Paul speaks much of being a good citizen, serving authority, and so on. His religion focuses on promises in the next world, if one is righteous. Christianity teaches to reject self, to submit fully to God, or at least God’s spokesman. It makes faith the highest virtue, over even reason. Thus , this religion would be -at least initially-rejected by pagan contemporaries, as we see in Celsus. However, if we view Paul’s new religion as a deliberate construct as a means to pacify the underclass, the poor, the slaves, it makes much more sense. Christianity has almost nothing to offer in this world—its main focus and lure is heaven, attainable by all, for the cost of belief , and submission.

Thus Christianity may have been created as a tool, an updated religion to pacify the masses. This took some time, but became exceedingly powerful : the church was the central European authority for perhaps a millennium, and to this day, has much control over thoughts, beliefs, actions, and finances.



Christianity is a powerful tool for subjugation, as it teaches its believers that even certain thoughts are sinful. It is easy to control people if you can control their thoughts, telling them what God disapproves of.



This is perhaps Paul’s motive in crafting Christian theology, a means to control the thoughts, actions, beliefs, and finances of others. It was remarkably successful, and to this day, we see preachers who are as wealthier than kings of antiquity.