Not Paul But Jesus

Jeremy Bentham's Not Paul But Jesus is a philosophical and theological critique of the influence of the Apostle Paul on Christianity. Written in the early 19th century this work presents Bentham’s argument that the core teachings of Jesus have been overshadowed by Pauline theology which he believes distorts the original message of Christ. Bentham a utilitarian philosopher examines the ethical implications of Jesus’ teachings compared to those promoted by Paul emphasizing the need to return to the foundational principles of Jesus’ moral philosophy. Bentham asserts that Paul’s interpretations and teachings have led to misunderstandings and misapplications of Christian doctrine often prioritizing dogma over the practical ethics of love and compassion that Jesus preached. He argues for a re-evaluation of Christian teachings that focus more on the practicalities of human happiness and social welfare rather than the complexities of theological constructs introduced by Paul.