I read a book several years ago (From Jesus to Christianity by L. Michael White) that set forth to demonstrate an evolution of relatively simplistic works and teachings of Jesus from Paul’s writings to more deified and glamorous works and teachings portrayed in the writings of John and even beyond the NT books into the earlier Church Fathers’ writings. Of course the development of a primitive to a more robust orthodoxy was within the scope of White’s examination. I’d be interested to hear a couple of examples of such theories that you encounter the most that posit a progressive embellishment of Jesus or His teachings within the later NT books and writings relative to the earlier written NT books and what counterarguments you provide when you encounter them?

dlb