(NOTE: Reviewer is not a biblical scholar; the critique below are those of an interested layperson only.)
JESUS CHRIST DIVIDED attempts to make several arguments concerning the early Christian community, specifically focusing on the disputes between the apostle Paul and the disciples Cephas/Peter and James the brother of Jesus. Author Michael LaFond argues first that all of Paul’s letters currently included in the New Testament, plus the “apocryphal” letter to the Laodiceans, are genuine, since they fit together neatly to show a clear and concise chronology of Paul’s travels and preaching. The scholarly consensus is that only seven are clearly from Paul’s hand, but LaFond makes a reasonably convincing case that they are not separable from each other, and that differences in wording, theology and church structure are explainable by differences in context, language, and in Paul’s goals with respect to the individual communities to whom he writes. His ordering of the letters does seem to lead to a plausible and sensible sequence of events.
LaFond also comes to some truly intriguing conclusions regarding the existence of a specific Essene sect from which John the Baptist and Jesus came, to which Paul went with his revelation for teaching and authorization, from whom he claimed justification, and to whose congregations and Diaspora communities he and other early Christian apostles were primarily preaching. He also points to the existence of a deep and bitter theological controversy between Peter and James on one hand, and Paul on the other, which resulted in Paul’s short-term defeat and death, but long-term theological victory. Some of the beliefs LaFond attributes to Peter and James are novel and startling, but he argues persuasively, well-supported with evidence from history and from texts both apocryphal and orthodox, and I think he makes a reasonable case. But whether readers agree or not, it’s certainly an interesting and thought-provoking read, at least for those who enjoy detailed theological and historical controversies and debates. His argument that Paul, who never met Jesus, taught a theology closer to Jesus’s original teachings than the beliefs of those who knew Jesus personally, including his closest disciples and his own brother, is a bit more dubious, but not without support, and he makes some intriguing arguments, especially those from the book of Revelation. Those interested in history, theology, and the various, complicated, and diverse sects of 1st century Judaism and Christianity are likely to find some fascinating new perspectives and possibilities to chew on here.
Michael LaFond has written a thoughtful, detailed, and thorough argument with some startling but surprisingly plausible conclusions. Whether readers agree with him or not, it’s certainly a fascinating read for those interested in early Christian history.
~Catherine Langrehr for IndieReader