Paul of Tarsus

ANCIENT SOURCES: see Paul of Tarsus (sources)
SCHOLARLY AND FICTIONAL WORKS: see Category:Paul of Tarsus (subject)

Paul of Tarsus (1st century CE) was a Jewish religious figure, a former Pharisee who became one of the leaders of the nascent Christian movement.

Paul of Tarsus in ancient sources

Paul of Tarsus is mentioned only in Christian tradition, which has handed down a group of letters written by, or attributed to, him. He is also one of the major characters, if not the protagonist, of the Acts of Apostles.

Paul of Tarsus in Scholarship

The extant letters of Paul and the detailed account of Acts make Paul one of the best documented figures of Second Temple Judaism. Paul was a very controversial figure in his own time, both within Judaism and within early Christianity. For centuries, Paul has been regarded as the major theologian of early Christianity and the Christian leader with greater responsibility for the parting of the ways between Judaism and Christianity. In recent years many scholars are trying to read his experience and thought more within Second Temple Judaism. "Paul the Jew" is becoming a very intriguing subject of research.