CRISTOLOGA DE PABLO

1. Jesus participates in Gods sole rule over all things Phil: 3:20-21: For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself. Eph. 1:21-22: Paul speaks of Jesus being far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet Here, Jesus is clearly given the authority to rule above every one of Gods created beings. 2. Jesus as the Creator of all things Jesus is clearly thought by Paul to have been the creator of the universe. This attribute is reserved only to God in Second Temple Judaism. Paul makes it clear that Jesus created all things. Col. 1:15-16: He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 3. Jesus as worthy of worship As discussed above, only God was worthy of worship in Second Temple Judaism. Nevertheless, Paul discusses the worship of Jesus. Since God is the sole Creator and Ruler of all things He alone should be worshiped. Even within the Roman Empire, Jews worshiped God alone. No other entity was worthy of worship. Here is one of the earliest Christological texts: Philippians 2:6-11: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. I guess my question for Ehrman is, who did Paul think Jesus was? Is it even significant for Paul to give Jesus the title Lord? Conclusion Is it possible that the followers of Jesus did think Jesus was God? Given what we see in Pauls Letters, is this something that was really invented much later? The evidence seems to say the opposite. While I do respect Ehrman, he seems to be off on this one.