Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 4 days ago
Was Peter really the undisputed leader of the early church—or does the New Testament point somewhere else?
In this episode of The Bible Sojourner, we walk through Will Varner’s provocative article, “Was James the First Pope?” and explore the biblical and historical evidence that James, the brother of Jesus, may have functioned as the central leader of the early church in a way many Christians have overlooked.
We look at the centrality of Jerusalem, James’s growing prominence in Acts, Galatians, and 1 Corinthians, his decisive role at the Jerusalem Council, and the way both Josephus and early church writers seem to confirm his importance. Along the way, we also consider what this means for common assumptions about Peter, Paul, Roman Catholic claims, and even Protestant blind spots.
Whether you agree or disagree, this is a fascinating discussion that challenges tradition and pushes us back to the text of Scripture.
If you enjoy thoughtful conversations on the Bible, theology, and culture, be sure to subscribe and join the discussion in the comments.
Chapter Headings
00:00 Intro: Was James More Important Than Peter?
00:00:47 Why This Argument Was So Eye-Opening
00:02:06 The Main Thesis of Varner’s Article
00:04:35 James and the Centrality of Jerusalem
00:06:23 The Gospel Expands From Jerusalem to the Nations
00:09:55 Why Jerusalem Was Seen as the Center of the World
00:12:25 James’s Rise to Leadership in the Early Church
00:15:18 Paul’s Early Contact With Peter and James
00:17:02 James, Peter, and John as the “Pillars”
00:20:11 Peter Defers to James
00:21:31 The Jerusalem Council and James’s Final Judgment
00:28:18 Paul Continues to Follow James’s Lead
00:33:35 Josephus and the Historical Importance of James
00:36:29 James in Early Church Tradition
00:42:09 The Letter of James and the Order of the Canon
00:45:26 Why James’s Leadership Matters
00:50:09 Implications for Catholicism, Orthodoxy, and Protestantism
00:54:06 Final Conclusions: Was James the First Pope?
00:56:06 Outro
Article Written by Will Varner: https://cf.sbts.edu/equip/uploads/2024/05/SBJT-27.3-Was-James-the-First-Pope-Varner.pdf
Shepherds Theological Seminary (where Peter Goeman teaches): https://shepherds.edu/
The Bible Sojourner Audio podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-bible-sojourner
More About The Bible Sojourner Host, Peter Goeman: petergoeman.com
Was Peter really the undisputed leader of the early church—or does the New Testament point somewhere else?
In this episode of The Bible Sojourner, we walk through Will Varner’s provocative article, “Was James the First Pope?” and explore the biblical and historical evidence that James, the brother of Jesus, may have functioned as the central leader of the early church in a way many Christians have overlooked.
We look at the centrality of Jerusalem, James’s growing prominence in Acts, Galatians, and 1 Corinthians, his decisive role at the Jerusalem Council, and the way both Josephus and early church writers seem to confirm his importance. Along the way, we also consider what this means for common assumptions about Peter, Paul, Roman Catholic claims, and even Protestant blind spots.
Whether you agree or disagree, this is a fascinating discussion that challenges tradition and pushes us back to the text of Scripture.
If you enjoy thoughtful conversations on the Bible, theology, and culture, be sure to subscribe and join the discussion in the comments.
Chapter Headings
00:00 Intro: Was James More Important Than Peter?
00:00:47 Why This Argument Was So Eye-Opening
00:02:06 The Main Thesis of Varner’s Article
00:04:35 James and the Centrality of Jerusalem
00:06:23 The Gospel Expands From Jerusalem to the Nations
00:09:55 Why Jerusalem Was Seen as the Center of the World
00:12:25 James’s Rise to Leadership in the Early Church
00:15:18 Paul’s Early Contact With Peter and James
00:17:02 James, Peter, and John as the “Pillars”
00:20:11 Peter Defers to James
00:21:31 The Jerusalem Council and James’s Final Judgment
00:28:18 Paul Continues to Follow James’s Lead
00:33:35 Josephus and the Historical Importance of James
00:36:29 James in Early Church Tradition
00:42:09 The Letter of James and the Order of the Canon
00:45:26 Why James’s Leadership Matters
00:50:09 Implications for Catholicism, Orthodoxy, and Protestantism
00:54:06 Final Conclusions: Was James the First Pope?
00:56:06 Outro
Article Written by Will Varner: https://cf.sbts.edu/equip/uploads/2024/05/SBJT-27.3-Was-James-the-First-Pope-Varner.pdf
Shepherds Theological Seminary (where Peter Goeman teaches): https://shepherds.edu/
The Bible Sojourner Audio podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-bible-sojourner
More About The Bible Sojourner Host, Peter Goeman: petergoeman.com
