### Key Points
- Research suggests Paul’s God, as described in Laura Knight-Jadczyk’s book “From Paul to Mark,” is a transcendent, spiritual deity, distinct from the traditional Jewish God, aligning with Gnostic interpretations.
- It seems likely that Paul’s concept of God involves “Seeing the Unseen,” a mystical understanding beyond the material world, possibly influenced by Gnostic and Marcionite ideas. [Or the Gnostic and Marcionite ideas were influenced by Paul.]
- The evidence leans toward Paul’s God being the supreme, unseen entity, not the God of the Old Testament, which is a controversial interpretation challenging traditional Christian views.
### Understanding Paul’s God
Laura Knight-Jadczyk’s book “From Paul to Mark: PaleoChristianity” offers a revisionist perspective on early Christianity, particularly focusing on the apostle Paul. The book suggests that Paul’s understanding of God is not the same as the traditional Jewish God but rather a transcendent, spiritual deity. This interpretation aligns with Gnostic beliefs, where the supreme God is distinct from the material world’s creator, often seen as the Demiurge in Gnostic cosmology.
The book highlights Paul’s revelation of “Seeing the Unseen,” which likely refers to a mystical or spiritual perception of God, beyond physical reality. This concept is tied to Gnostic and Marcionite ideas, where figures like Marcion rejected the Old Testament and saw the God of Jesus as different from the Jewish God. This interpretation is controversial, as it challenges the traditional Christian view that Paul’s God is the same as the God of the Jews, with Jesus as the Messiah fulfilling Old Testament prophecies.
This perspective is unexpected for readers familiar with mainstream Christian theology, as it positions Paul as a Gnostic teacher with a distinct view of divinity, potentially influencing later Christian texts like the Gospel of Mark.
### Detailed Analysis
Laura Knight-Jadczyk’s “From Paul to Mark: PaleoChristianity,” published in 2021, delves into the origins of early Christianity, focusing on the transition from Paul to Mark and challenging conventional narratives. The book’s exploration of Paul’s God is rooted in a mythicist approach, suggesting that Jesus, as traditionally understood, did not exist historically, and thus, Paul’s references to God and Christ are interpreted differently.
#### Background and Context
The book is described on [Amazon.com](https://www.amazon.com/Paul-Mark-PaleoChristianity-Laura-Knight-Jadczyk/dp/173490741X) as a groundbreaking study that strips away centuries of assumptions to reexamine early Christian fundamentals. Reviews on [Goodreads](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58167381-from-paul-to-mark) and [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Paul-Mark-PaleoChristianity-Laura-Knight-Jadczyk/product-reviews/173490741X) highlight its focus on Paul’s mission and teachings, with some critics labeling the author a pseudo-historian due to her association with the “Church of Revived Paleochristianity.” Despite this, the book is noted for its meticulous research, proposing a timeline from Caesar to Paul and Mark, backed by contemporary sources.
#### Paul’s Concept of God
The book’s table of contents, as seen on [Z-Library](https://zlib.pub/book/from-paul-to-mark-paleochristianity-6dt242ttqpe0), includes chapters like “Paul’s Mission” and “Paul’s Theology,” which are crucial for understanding Paul’s God. Reviews suggest that Paul is depicted as the “heart and core of Christianity,” with his teachings focusing on a revelation of “Seeing the Unseen,” a concept decoded in the book and linked to Marcion’s later resurrection of these ideas.
An interview with Knight-Jadczyk on [Sott.net](https://www.sott.net/article/314412-Behind-the-Headlines-Jesus-never-existed-Interview-with-Laura-Knight-Jadczyk) reveals her view that Paul was a Gnostic teacher, teaching that the God of the Jews was not the true God, and that the true God was something else, with Jesus as its emissary. This aligns with Marcionite theology, where the God of the Old Testament is rejected, and a new, transcendent God is embraced. This interpretation is supported by discussions on forums like [earlywritings.com](https://earlywritings.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8604), where the book is noted for placing Paul in the mythicist field, suggesting his Christ had a non-Jewish origin.
#### Comparison with Traditional Views
Traditionally, Paul’s God is the same as the Jewish God, with references in his letters, such as Romans 3:29-30, affirming monotheism (“Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, since God is one”). However, the book’s Gnostic lens interprets these references as pointing to a supreme, unseen God, distinct from the material world’s creator. This is evident in discussions of 1 Corinthians 2:6-11, where Paul’s wisdom of God is seen as hidden, possibly referring to a transcendent realm, aligning with Gnostic archons and rulers.
#### Controversies and Implications
This interpretation is controversial, as it challenges mainstream Christian theology and aligns with mythicist scholars like Wells, Doherty, and Carrier, as noted in reviews on [Amazon.com.au](https://www.amazon.com.au/Paul-Mark-PaleoChristianity-Laura-Knight-Jadczyk-ebook/dp/B095W1C4KX). The book’s suggestion that Paul’s God is not the Jewish God but a Gnostic, transcendent entity is unexpected for readers expecting traditional views, potentially shifting paradigms in biblical criticism.
#### Detailed Table of Contents Analysis
The book’s structure, as seen in the Z-Library listing, includes:
| Chapter | Section | Relevance to Paul’s God |
|---------|---------|-------------------------|
| 5. Paul’s Mission | Paul’s Theology | Discusses Paul’s understanding, likely Gnostic |
| 5. Paul’s Mission | Sacrifice and Paul’s Christ | Explores Christ’s role, possibly mystical |
| 5. Paul’s Mission | Paul and the Cross | May link to transcendent interpretations |
| 7. Paul and The Gospel of Mark | Mark: Interpreter of Paul | Connects Paul’s God to Mark’s narrative |
This table highlights key sections where Paul’s concept of God is likely elaborated, supporting the Gnostic interpretation.
#### Conclusion
In summary, “From Paul to Mark” presents Paul’s God as a transcendent, spiritual deity, associated with “Seeing the Unseen,” and distinct from the Jewish God, aligning with Gnostic and Marcionite views. This interpretation is controversial but provides a detailed, revisionist perspective on early Christian theology.
### Key Citations
- [Amazon.com: From Paul to Mark: PaleoChristianity book page](https://www.amazon.com/Paul-Mark-PaleoChristianity-Laura-Knight-Jadczyk/dp/173490741X)
- [Goodreads: From Paul to Mark: PaleoChristianity reviews](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58167381-from-paul-to-mark)
- [Sott.net: Interview with Laura Knight-Jadczyk on Jesus myth](https://www.sott.net/article/314412-Behind-the-Headlines-Jesus-never-existed-Interview-with-Laura-Knight-Jadczyk)
- [earlywritings.com: Forum discussion on From Paul to Mark](https://earlywritings.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8604)
- [Amazon.com.au: From Paul to Mark: PaleoChristianity eBook reviews](https://www.amazon.com.au/Paul-Mark-PaleoChristianity-Laura-Knight-Jadczyk-ebook/dp/B095W1C4KX)
- [Z-Library: From Paul to Mark: PaleoChristianity content listing](https://zlib.pub/book/from-paul-to-mark-paleochristianity-6dt242ttqpe0)