Paul the Missionary

Ever since Adolf Harnack Paul's ministry is interpreted as that of a Jewish missionary who happened to preach a new gospel. But what if Harnack was wrong and there were no Jewish missionaries? How should we then account for Paul's actions? The first chapter of this book describes the Jewish context in which Paul lived, and the second chapter deals with the pagan context. The question asked is: was there any such thing as proselytising mission before Christianity? In chapter three the pre-pauline Christ-movement is treated. These three chapters describe the stage that Paul came to act upon. The fourth and fifth chapter discuss Paul himself: first the great transformation he experienced is dealt with (ch. 4), next Paul's view of his task in regard to the gentiles is discussed (ch. 5). The final chapter gives an analysis of Paul's missionary strategy and its theological focus. The conclusion is that Paul did not bring a new message within an existing mission (Harnack), but that the unique character of his ministry itself developed the concept of a proselytising mission.