Professor Jiang reviews the previous class's discussion of Jesus's mission and identity, explaining that Jesus, like other prophets, aimed to activate the divine spark within people by repeating his words. This message threatened the Roman Empire's slave-based economy, leading to Jesus's crucifixion. The lecture transitions to Paul, whom Professor Jiang identifies as the architect of the Catholic Church, which he argues, imprisoned the divine spark and made it an economic commodity. Paul, a Hellenized Jew, synthesized Roman, Greek, and Jewish cultures to create Christianity, using sophistry to shift the focus from Jesus's words to belief in Jesus himself. The lecture explores Paul's background, motivations, and the three mysteries surrounding his actions, suggesting he may have been a spy for the Roman Empire or a double agent working for Jewish leaders. The professor analyzes biblical texts and Paul's letters, highlighting the differences between Jesus's teachings and Paul's interpretations, and addresses student questions.
Sign in to continue reading, translating and more.
Continue
