From Paul to Mark: PaleoChristianity - Kindle edition by Knight-Jadczyk, Laura. Religion & Spirituality Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

Buying Options

Kindle Price:	$10.99
	includes VAT*

You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.

Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions

There was an error. We were unable to process your subscription due to an error. Please refresh and try again.

Enter a promotion code or Gift Card

Share <Embed>

Look inside this book.

From Paul to Mark: PaleoChristianity by [Laura Knight-Jadczyk]

Follow the Author

Laura Knight-Jadczyk

From Paul to Mark: PaleoChristianity Kindle Edition

by Laura Knight-Jadczyk (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

25 ratings

See all formats and editions

Price

New from

Used from

Kindle

"Please retry"

$10.99

—

—

"Please retry"

$36.96

$38.48

Kindle
$0.00 Read with Kindle Unlimited to also enjoy access to over 1 million more titles $9.99 to buy
Paperback
$44.00

3 Used from $38.48 6 New from $36.96

Nearly two thousand years ago the seeds of a new religion were sown in the eastern fringes of the Roman empire. An apostle named Paul wrote letters to his small congregations offering support, rebukes, and the outline of the gospel that would come to be known as Christianity. In the decades after came the Gospel of Mark, followed by more letters and more Gospels, controversies and debates, factions and infighting, until finally, Christianity became an empire.

But what if nearly everything you thought you knew about early Christianity was wrong? When read without preconceptions, the available contemporary sources tell a very different story, filled with ‘colorful’ characters, hardened revolutionaries, political maneuvering, and ideological conflict. In this groundbreaking study, Laura Knight-Jadczyk strips away centuries of assumptions and dogma to reexamine the fundamentals of what we can truly know of the early Christians, how we know it, and how that changes our picture of what was really happening in first-century Judea.

Why are there no historical references to Jesus and Christianity until decades after the events of the Gospels were supposed to have occurred? Why do the first non-Christian historians who mention Jesus seem dependent on the Gospels? Why does Paul make no unambiguous references to the Gospels’ Jesus of Nazareth? What was Paul talking about? Laura Knight-Jadczyk’s answers to these questions are revolutionary. After reading this book, you’ll never see the origins of Christianity the same way again.

“What will happen to you if you read this book? I’ll be glad to tell you. Your paradigm will begin to shift, perhaps only gradually at first. Your assumptions, even your axioms, will be challenged, and this time you will no longer be able to nervously default to the familiar. And all this will happen because you will be seeing the emergence of an exciting new stage of biblical criticism. Laura Knight-Jadczyk has here synthesized the work of a new generation of scholars who are not afraid to venture beyond convention and consensus. She has shown that the work of Wells, Doherty, Doughty, Carrier, Detering, Pervo, and myself are not merely isolated fireworks displays but rather gleams of a new, rising dawn. And in that light she presses on to her own striking advances. Won’t you join her?”––Robert M. Price, host of The Bible Geek podcast, author of Jesus Christ Superstition and The Amazing Colossal Apostle

“Quite a delight, well written, well researched.”––Russell Gmirkin, author of Plato and the Creation of the Hebrew Bible and Berossus and Genesis, Manetho and Exodus

Print length

628 pages
Language

English
Publication date

May 24, 2021
File size

8951 KB
Page Flip

Enabled
Word Wise

Enabled
Enhanced typesetting

Enabled
See all details

Create your FREE Amazon Business account to save up to 10% with Business-only prices and free shipping. Register today

Laura Knight-Jadczyk
167
Kindle Edition
$9.99
Laura Knight-Jadczyk
84
Kindle Edition
$9.99
Laura Knight-Jadczyk
81
Kindle Edition
$9.99
Laura Knight-Jadczyk
37
Kindle Edition
$9.99
Laura Knight-Jadczyk
10
Kindle Edition
$9.99
Laura Knight-Jadczyk
11
Kindle Edition
$9.99

Pierre Lescaudron
18
Kindle Edition
$9.99
Georgia Le Carre
1,953
Kindle Edition
$6.99
Andrew Lobaczewski
3
Kindle Edition
$9.99
Georgia Le Carre
985
Kindle Edition
$3.99
Georgia Le Carre
819
Kindle Edition
$3.99
Georgia Le Carre
985
Kindle Edition
$3.99

Customer reviews

5 star		88%
4 star		6%
3 star 0% (0%)		0%
2 star 0% (0%)		0%
1 star		6%

How customer reviews and ratings work

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Gregory A. Collins

Wonderful and Surprising!

Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2021

Verified Purchase

I have followed Laura Knight-Jadczyk’s work and I know she has worked on this book for the last decade and it shows. This book is well-researched and presents a picture of early Christianity. Her section on Josephus which includes a complete overhaul of when Pontus Pilate was active and when Paul began his mission thus throwing the Jesus narrative into a difficult spotlight is one of the highlights of this book. The information in this section is astonishing to a lay reader like myself. I have never heard or read anything contained in this section from anyone that knows or discusses religious topics.

After making my way through the section on Josephus, the material discussing Paul’s mission and his teachings were significant because Paul is truly the heart and core of Christianity. The material focusing on what Paul was teaching should be highly encouraged in churches today.

The section on Mark then brings forth earlier material, a review of the Jewish war, and why Mark was written after the fall of Jerusalem. Then we also get to find out why Matthew and Luke were written.

The final section was fun to read. It contains some guesses as to who might have inspired Paul as a real historical person that could be Paul’s Jesus, and who could have written the Gospel of Mark. If you are curious then read the book!

If you have never read these topics before it will be shocking. Even if you have read academic books, there will be some surprises in this book. I love Laura Knight-Jadczyk’s writing. She adds comments and humor that makes for fun reading. This book has stayed with me; I cannot stop thinking about it. I highly recommend reading this book. You won’t be disappointed.

9 people found this helpful

Reality, reality, reality...

Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2021

Verified Purchase

It was an extremely interesting journey. Laura shows in a very coherent and logical way the various relationships between events, characters, why something was written or edited. Why something was done. What purpose was there for this.

Laura's style is very accessible, you will see it for yourself, you read how big the difference is between some of the quoted texts and the one from Laura. Of course, I do not have any complaints here against the quoted content and their authors, these are texts written at different times, by various people for different people. I would like to draw your attention to the very quality of Laura's texts.

Although the text is very substantive and intellectual, and the vocabulary is at a high level, however there is no confusion by entering into some inaccessible complex theories. You can just see that Laura wants to convey specific things, as much as possible in quantity, without looking for any advantage over anything or anyone.

You just see that Laura's thinking is strict and intended to bear specific fruits. So that everyone with some effort and concentration, following what Laura wants to convey, will simply gain KNOWLEDGE, far from stay in disgust and insatiability.

Laura leaves far behind, everything of what was so far instilled in us. As I remember from what I studied in school, in Church, really, having this comparison now to what I read from Laura, it changes a lot.

Laura maintains the necessary rationalism, rich knowledge and openness to spiritual matters. I was surprised by some conclusions that It would be definitely difficult to comprehend on my own. It suggests a lot of information and a certain genius to tie things together by Laura.

As for matters of faith and spirituality, she emphasizes these things without imposing any dogma on anyone. In fact, she does a good job for Christianity, by subtly suggesting to the reader what is valuable in Christianity, even from the point of view of Believers. Will people notice it? (Those who are materialistic and simply looking for a history book will surely stay away from feeling overwhelmed in any way.)

As I was brought up in the Catholic faith, I have seen and still see a very important message in Christianity for all of us. This book also served a role in a spiritual dimension. There is no point in deceiving yourself about certain things, the important thing is Truth. Christianity does not confuse the truth, but strives for it.

And finally, what is probably the most interesting... Then who was Jesus Christ? Was it a figure living among us? Was it just a myth? Or is/was he just a spiritual being? So Laura answers these questions and the answer is... well, read the book :-)

4 people found this helpful

Very reliable research work without unnecessary initial assumptions

Reviewed in the United States on July 4, 2021

Verified Purchase

Before reading the book, I was not convinced of the concept according to which the Apostle Paul was a mystic and seer, true bringer of the Gospel of Christ.

However, I really loved the methodology of the research. I noticed that the author combines biblical and historical methods in a very interesting way. In addition, she asks very interesting questions and takes into account important observations, which many people forget, e.g.

“If you believe in what you are studying, you've already lost any claim to scientific objectivity, so please don't pretend to it.”

With each new page, I understood author's message better and better. At one point I made a note of "Bruno Bauer" and a few pages later this figure appeared. This has happened many more times. The author built up the tension, made the reader sink into the right mood, specific questions to come to his mind. Then she answered them.

This made reading not reading but a sacred symphony of the spheres. Moreover, reading was also a dialogue with the author, who seemed present all the time. It wasn't just an association with the written word.

The author pays close attention to what is often overlooked by many biblical scholars, takes into account possible changes to the manuscripts and all contingencies, even in those cases where others do not challenge the statements made. She questions everything, what is very right in my opinion. The author created her own interpretations, which she supports with solid arguments. She does not ignore any of the ways, but looks at each issue from all possible sides. I also consider numerous original analyzes of the works of other theologians outstanding.

The book has fought a war with fantasy, distortions, the search for truth takes place at any cost. The author’s look at Paul is also unique. The path of redemption found in Paul's correctly understood teachings has been uniquely highlighted. It was something special because it was no longer just science, history, but a deep mystical insight into the very depths.

And most importantly – the author convinced me to many of her hypotheses, and made me reach for other literature in the context of what she is discussing.

I would like to write even more and discuss individual threads for a long time, but I would have to write thousands of pages for that.

The author does not write like an amateur, but like an outstanding expert. In my opinion, she is one of the most credible Bible scholars.

4 people found this helpful

Top reviews from other countries

KJ cashell

Excellent and logical unravelling of the Origins of Christianity.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 19, 2021

Verified Purchase

While I do not have a great deal of experience in reading books concerned with biblical studies I think it is rare to encounter within any genre a work that is as accessible and wide ranging in scope as this book.

This meticulously researched and logically presented unravelling of the origins of Christianity is a must read for anyone who is interested in truth and the state of the world today.

Although this work is very accessible it requires a certain level of effort from the reader to grasp the arguments being put forward but please don’t let that put you off as every bit of heavy lifting that may be required from you, will be rewarded in full.

One of the most refreshing aspects of this book is the way all arguments of value are given ample consideration whether they support the author’s position or not.

A less intellectually honest author would falter in attempting to untangle this complex and important part of history, by omitting facts or theories that cast doubt on their own position. This author’s line of thought is so comprehensive and clearly set out , she is able to present competing theories to her own without creating confusion or reverting to straw man arguments to dismiss facts that do not fit.

This work is brilliant modern example of the approach to history / knowledge proposed by the philosopher RG Collingwood

“To understand a work of art, a person, a historical epoch or a religion is, so to speak, to “get inside its mind,” to see the world through the eyes of people using a different set of presuppositions to our own. If we try to understand others using only our own presuppositions, we will always fail. Historical understanding, for example, “is the attempt to discover the corresponding presuppositions of other peoples and other times.” Again, if we insist on regarding Christianity as “false,” we will never understand it.”

Miss Elaine Wilson

Easy to Understand

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 29, 2021

Verified Purchase

As a lay person, I was pleased to find that this book was easy to understand. It is clearly very well researched and worth the read. I highly recommend this book.

2 people found this helpful

Anders Sloth

Excellent sifting through the lies around Christianity while revealing a hope-inspiring message

Reviewed in Germany on September 1, 2021

Verified Purchase

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book which brings so many threads together in a coherent form about the origins of the Christian religion. A crime has been committed, much is missing including the body and the author, Laura Knight-Jadczyk, in the best style of Sherlock Holmes, looks in to the evidence, recreates the crime scene at the time of the crime, the psychological mind set of the players and 'spectators', what they understood, their motivations for writing the gospels or redacting them. Crucial is the events in the century leading up to it including scriptural prophecies. The book is a prime example of applying what R.G. Collingwood writes about in his book, "The idea of history". As someone growing up with a Christian cultural heritage it is fascinating and revealing even if there is much material to go through. It does seem necessary so to leave no stone unturned and it becomes clear that much of what has been written about that period has come with a strong bias if not outright agenda.

People will be hard pressed to find a viewpoint from the long line of biblical scholars and others through the centuries, which Laura does not hear out and give due consideration to. If a line of thought has some merit it is analyzed, shortfalls are exposed and the leftover from the analysis is carried over to the multifaceted tapestry which is the end product. Though it consists of many threads, the line of force is clear and carries with it a message which is uplifting and inspirational and pertinent for today, something which LKJ draws attention to in the beginning of the book. Though many ends are tied, there are also threads with little material evidence about which LKJ suggests solutions to, while encouraging other scholars to search for more evidence. In that way the book comes across as an open inquiry encouraging debate rather than some books on the subject which seek to close the debate from inquiring minds.

I can highly recommend this book both for anyone who has grown up in a Christian environment or who considers themselves to be Christians. It is said that “the Truth will set you free”, and clearing up many of the lies which have been woven around Christianity, brings across a message which is sorely needed today.

One person found this helpful

Thorbjorn

A gift to people who sincerely wish to know more about the history surrounding the Jesus figure

Reviewed in Germany on November 26, 2021

Verified Purchase

From Paul to Mark answered many questions I have had since childhood about the story surrounding the origins of the Jesus figure. As a child, I was told that the disciples of Jesus had written the four Gospels, but I could not understand why they did not say the same thing, if they had all been his disciples. Then I was told the Gospels were not written by his direct disciples, but by some who knew his disciples, and I wondered why the original disciples had not written anything? About the same time, I learned about Paul, but Paul's style was quite different from the four Gospels, so what did Paul know? And if the historians could write so much about the ancient Sumerians, Egyptians, Greeks, and the Romans, why had they so very little to say about Jesus? From Paul to Mark clears all the above questions and many more. Laura Knight-Jadczyk goes through plenty of research and adds her own insights to create a credible synthesis that reveals the origins of the core of the New Testament. The last sections of the book, left me with the feeling one may get when watching a drama that turns into a tragedy. What a surprise.

It is a gift to Christians determined to find out how it all began, to Muslims eager to know what the available sources have to say about the Īsā ibn Maryam of the Quran, to Jews open to know more about their own history. I would not call it an easy read; it can't be when the threads have been that tangled. I also don't think it necessarily ought to be, when so many misunderstandings, that have led to countless disputes and open conflicts, can safely be put to rest. An interesting question is which directions Christianity and Islam, in all their many forms, might take now based on what is left.

Djinn93

Necessary

Reviewed in France on June 20, 2021

Verified Purchase

A huge sum of work. The book is necessary for a person like me who is involved in this field of research, though am not willing to read all the primary sources, and even the secondary sources written by "scholars".
Though, as LKJ manages to follow closely the path of these scholars - certainly to be admitted among the serious authors (goal attained)-, this is not a book I would advise to a person totally new to christian scriptures ans historical exegesis.

I would suggest other innovations of Paul's christianity. In judaism, sins are regularly erased by sacrifices to God. The sacrifice of the son of God once and for all puts an end to sacrifices. Incarnation is the original sin though in Rome as in Judaea it takes the form of a debt from birth that one must repay his whole life, which is probably at the origin of slavery. Free men who cannot pay off have their family taken into bondage in Rome. Medieval Rome had a custom of a year of Jubilee to cancel all debts, identical with the jewish custom of the same name.

Kittim possibly does not translate as "roman" but "greek" as this is the translation given for Maccabees 1. The author suggests that the rebels Matthias and Judas who are put to death by Herod the Great refer to "Judas the Galilean" and Pilate. I suggest another displacement of events, as the first Hasmoneans leaders are named Matthias and Judas as mentioned in Maccabees I (II does not know Matthias) and Josephus. The Qumran community is very possibly of jewish christian or zealot origin ad LKJ says, but I would suggest hasmonean too. Which means ottoman, as the Ottomans overcame the Greeks in 1453 (1653 if we look at the maps). Turk or Mohammedan are names given in Europe, but the accounts in greek speak of the Judaeans. So Osman is Simon, Orhan Hyrcanus and Genghis-Khan also. All modern Turks consider Genghis-Khan as one of them.

See all reviews

Get to Know Us

Make Money with Us

Amazon Payment Products

Let Us Help You

English $USD - U.S. Dollar United States

© 1996-2022, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates