Chapter 18 Summary and Analysis

The focus of this chapter is on Paul and his role in shaping Christianity. His thinking is what basically molds the early church and shapes generations of theological thinkers. Why do Paul's ideas win out over others? His ideas provide what is needed at the time for Christianity to be accepted. His views become known as the theology of freedom. He does not intend to separate it from Judaism. Paul's greatest conversion rates are in regions where slavery predominates. Slaves are seeking freedom and escape from bondage, and Christianity offers slaves and freedmen escape and hope, the lures for the earliest converts. The manumitted freedman is not truly free, since his survival depends on the ex-master's employment, and becomes easily converted. Curiously enough, early Christianity does not promote increased manumission or the abolition of slavery. It tolerates slavery and works within...