Why Paul’s Churches Won: The Battle for Early Christianity
What if the Christianity we know today was shaped more by a man who never met Jesus in the flesh than by Jesus’ own brother? In our latest Almost Heretical episode, we explore the high-stakes rivalry between Paul’s Christ movement and the Jesus movement, led by James. Paul’s bold vision—sparked by a divine encounter—propelled his version of Christianity to global dominance, while James’ traditional approach faded into history. How did Paul pull it off? And what might the faith have looked like if James had won? Let’s unravel this captivating story of strategy, revelation, and survival.
Paul vs. James: A Tale of Two Visions
Early Christianity wasn’t a unified faith—it was a battlefield of ideas. On one side stood James, Jesus’ brother, leading the Jesus movement from Jerusalem. Rooted in Jewish law and tradition, James’ group saw themselves as the true keepers of Jesus’ teachings. On the other side was Paul, a latecomer who claimed a direct line to Jesus through a vision, not human instruction.
Paul’s audacity shines in Galatians 1:11–12:
“I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.”
This claim set him at odds with James and the Jerusalem apostles. While James focused on a faith tied to Jewish roots, Paul envisioned a universal gospel that welcomed Gentiles—non-Jews—without requiring them to follow the Torah. This clash wasn’t just theological; it was a for the soul of Christianity.
The Power of Paul’s Vision
Paul’s life changed on the road to Damascus when he encountered the risen Christ. Unlike the apostles who knew Jesus personally, Paul’s authority rested on this single, mystical moment. In our episode, we ask a provocative question: how different is Paul’s vision from Joseph Smith’s divine revelations that founded Mormonism?
“If we question Smith’s claims, why not Paul’s?” host Shelby Hanson challenges. “Both reshaped their faiths based on personal encounters with the divine.”
Paul’s vision wasn’t just a personal turning point—it was a game-changer. It freed him from Jerusalem’s oversight and let him craft a message that resonated beyond Jewish borders. Salvation through faith alone, no circumcision or dietary laws required—this was a gospel tailor-made for the Gentile world.
The Jesus Movement: Tradition Meets Limitation
While Paul preached across the Roman Empire, the Jesus movement stayed close to home. James’ leadership kept it anchored in Jerusalem, steeped in Jewish practices like Torah observance. This focus made sense for a community tied to Jesus’ life and ministry, but it boxed them in.
“The Jesus movement was a niche operation,” Nate Hanson explains. “Paul was building something scalable, something that could go viral.”
After Jerusalem’s fall in 70 AD, the Jesus movement crumbled. Its reliance on a single city left it vulnerable, while Paul’s decentralized churches thrived. Tradition gave James authenticity, but it couldn’t match Paul’s adaptability.
Paul’s Master Plan: Cities, Networks, and Rituals
Paul didn’t just preach—he strategized. He targeted bustling urban centers like Corinth, a port city teeming with travelers, and Ephesus, a cultural crossroads. These weren’t random choices; they were hubs where ideas spread fast.
“Paul knew how to pick his spots,” Shelby notes. “He went where the people were—diverse, connected, and open to new ideas.”
He also built house churches—small, tight-knit groups meeting in homes. These underground networks dodged Roman scrutiny and fostered loyalty. Compare that to the Jesus movement’s public presence in Jerusalem, and Paul’s approach looks like a masterstroke.
Then there were the rituals. Paul tweaked baptism and the Eucharist to suit Gentile tastes. While James’ group saw the Eucharist as a shared meal, Paul framed it as a mystical act—Jesus’ body and blood—a concept that echoed Greco-Roman mystery religions. It was a brilliant move to win converts.
The Fall of Jerusalem: The Final Blow
In 70 AD, Roman legions razed Jerusalem, shattering the Jesus movement. With their base gone and many followers dead or scattered, James’ community couldn’t recover. Paul’s churches, spread across the empire, barely felt the shockwave.
“Jerusalem’s fall was a knockout punch to the Jesus movement,” Shelby says. “Paul’s network was too widespread to fail.”
This moment cemented Paul’s victory. His decentralized, Gentile-friendly faith kept growing, while James’ vision faded into obscurity.
What If James Had Won?
Here’s where things get juicy: what if the Jesus movement had outlasted Paul’s? Could Christianity have stayed a Jewish sect, or would it have vanished without Paul’s outreach?
“If James had prevailed, Christianity might be a footnote in history,” Nate muses. “Paul’s vision made it a world religion.”
This “what if” isn’t just speculation—it’s a lens to see how fragile history can be. Paul’s triumph wasn’t inevitable; it was earned through vision, strategy, and a little luck.
Why This Matters Today
Paul’s churches didn’t just win—they shaped the Christianity we know. His emphasis on faith over law, his outreach to outsiders, his knack for adaptation—these are the threads woven into the faith’s fabric. But understanding this rivalry reminds us that Christianity could’ve been different. It’s a call to question, explore, and dig deeper into the roots of belief.
Dive Deeper with Almost Heretical
Ready to unpack the full story? Tune into Almost Heretical for a raw, thought-provoking look at how Paul’s vision beat the odds, why his churches won, and what it means for faith today. Nate and Shelby bring the past to life with bold questions and fresh insights—don’t miss it!
