Paul Among Diaspora Jews: Anomaly or Apostate?

Abstract

Since Paul spent most of his Christian life in the Diaspora, it makes sense to compare his mutation of the Jewish tradition with the socio-cultural stances of other Diaspora Jews. To this end, the concept of 'Hellenization' needs to be broken down, here into three categories: assimilation, acculturation and accommodation. After placing some other Diaspora Jews on each spectrum, Paul's theology and social practice are examined. He emerges as one quite highly assimilated, but comparatively low in acculturation and accommodation. Anomalously, he deracinates a culturally conserva tive form of Judaism for the sake of his largely Gentile churches. But is he also an apostate? The term is, in fact, not an objective category but a label which can be differentially applied by insiders. Thus, study of Paul's theology and self-descrip tions matter less in social terms than his treatment at the hands of his fellow Jews. Jewish hostility and synagogue beatings probably indicate that Paul was consistently repudiated as an 'apostate', despite his continuing loyalties to the Jewish people.