This is a joint paper by Markus Tiwald and Markus Öhler (both Vienna): In the first part, M. Tiwald will show that all the books of the so-called "New Testament" can only be understood, it they are read against the backdrop of early Judaism. In the second part, M. Öhler will focus on the much-discussed passage in Paul's first letter to the Corinthians (9:19-22), and will show how the self-perception of identity was described by a religious innovator.