Dr. James F. McGrath is the Clarence L. Goodwin Professor of New Testament Language and Literature, and Chair of the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, at Butler University in Indianapolis. His PhD is from Durham University in England, and his dissertation became his first book, John's Apologetic Christology. He is also the author of The Only True God: Early Christian Monotheism in Its Jewish Context; What Jesus Learned from Women; The A to Z of the New Testament; Christmaker: A Life of John the Baptist; and John of History, Baptist of Faith: The Quest for the Historical Baptizer. The latter volume was judged the Best Book Relating to the New Testament in the Biblical Archaeology Society’s 2025 Publication Awards.
Last Updated
September 18, 2026
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Paul’s (ca. 5-67 C.E.) portrayal of Jesus as an exalted ruler may seem to challenge Jewish monotheism. Yet the idea of a human king ruling on God’s behalf is already found in the Bible. Reading Paul alongside Jewish traditions of divine kingship shows how his claims about Jesus remain consistent with exclusive allegiance to one God.
Paul’s (ca. 5-67 C.E.) portrayal of Jesus as an exalted ruler may seem to challenge Jewish monotheism. Yet the idea of a human king ruling on God’s behalf is already found in the Bible. Reading Paul alongside Jewish traditions of divine kingship shows how his claims about Jesus remain consistent with exclusive allegiance to one God.
