The main purpose of this paper is (1) to re-examine and call in question an assertion that has frequently been made over the past century – that Paul was not interested in the historical Jesus. But, since the discussion of this question involves asking what the Pauline epistles were for and in what category they should be classified in contrast to other Christian writings, a further inquiry springs quite naturally from it by way of contrast, namely, an inquiry (2) into the purpose and category of the Synoptic Gospels. And the comparative study of the purpose and category of the Gospels and the Pauline epistles respectively involves, finally (3), a brief reassessment of the structure and contents of Christian evangelism or ‘initial preaching’. A question-mark is thus placed (or replaced, for it has been done again and again before) against several assumptions which are characteristic of much current New Testament scholarship. Whether or not this is acceptable (many of my German colleagues, whose friendship I greatly value, will, I am afraid, view it only as a typically English tilting at windmills), it is at any rate offered, with high regard and friendship, to a scholar who has always had the courage to pursue truth without deference to prevailing fashions.

It is a common practice to declare that Paul, and, indeed, the early Church generally, was not interested in the story or the personality of Jesus.