Dr. Nijay Gupta on Rethinking Religion: The Roman Empire's Influence on Early Christians

Mar 6, 2024

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Hey there, are you feeling disillusioned with modern Christianity? Have you been told to just accept the status quo and keep quiet about your doubts and concerns? It can be frustrating to feel like you're not getting the authentic experience you're seeking, especially when it comes to your faith. If you're tired of the ineffective advice to just go along with it, let's explore a better way to understand the history and context of early Christians that can revitalize your faith, whatever your faith background and bring new perspective to your journey. Let's dive into the compelling insights that can reignite your passion for authentic faith, even if that seems a little strange in your current religious context.

My special guest is Dr. Nijay Gupta

Dr. Nijay Gupta, a distinguished professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary, is widely recognized for his scholarly contributions to early Christian studies. Residing in Portland, Oregon, Dr. Gupta also serves as a co-host of the acclaimed Slow Theology podcast and is the founder of the influential Crux Sola blog. With an extensive repertoire of published works, including "Strange Religion," and "Tell Her Story," Dr. Gupta's comprehensive understanding of the historical and cultural context of early Christianity renders him a leading authority in the field. His latest book provides an insightful examination of the ways in which early Christians diverged from the prevalent religious and cultural norms of the Roman Empire, offering a compelling narrative that enriches our understanding of this pivotal era.

I want to believe that is a great and beautiful thing for anyone who feels like their movement has gone astray, whether it's a political movement, a religious movement, a social movement, we can always say, what are the good and beautiful and true things that made us who we are at the beginning? How can we come back to that now? - Dr. Nijay Gupta

In this episode, you will be able to:

Embrace the uniqueness of early Christian teachings to deepen your understanding of faith and spirituality.
Experience a paradigm shift in your perception of religion by exploring the roots of early Christianity.
Explore the profound impact of early Christian theology on modern belief systems and moral values.
Challenge yourself to embody the concept of loving one's enemies and understand its significance in daily life.
Discover the importance of prioritizing self-care and well-being through the lens of early Christian teachings.

Experience a Paradigm Shift

The early Christian revolution led to a paradigm shift, moving from power-driven religious practices towards a focus on goodness and authenticity. It revolutionized societal perceptions, promoting a familial relationship with God over a hierarchical one. This shift redefined societal values, placing emphasis on the inherent dignity of every individual, thus influencing modern perceptions of self-worth and individual rights.

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

Check out Nijay Gupta's latest book Strange Religion: How Early Christians Contrasted with Roman Religion and Culture available from Brazos Press for a deep dive into the contrast between ancient and modern perspectives on Christianity.
Join the exclusive Difference Maker community on Patreon at www.patreon.com/aworldofdifference to access deeper conversations with guests like Nijay Gupta and enjoy exclusive content, including videos and interactions with the host.
Connect with Lori Adams-Brown at Podcast Movement Evolutions in LA at the end of March and attend her breakout session on having a global podcast.
Listen to the Slow Theology podcast co-hosted by Nijay Gupta and Dr. AJ Swoboda for discussions on deconstruction, faith, and navigating a complex world.
Engage with the World of Difference podcast by reaching out to Lori Adams-Brown on social media to share how the podcast has impacted your life and work.
Check out Nijay Gupta's latest book Strange Religion: How Early Christians Contrasted with Roman Religion and Culture available from Brazos Press for a deep dive into the contrast between ancient and modern perspectives on Christianity.
Join the exclusive Difference Maker community on Patreon at www.patreon.com/aworldofdifference to access deeper conversations with guests like Nijay Gupta and enjoy exclusive content, including videos and interactions with the host.
Connect with Lori Adams-Brown at Podcast Movement Evolutions in LA at the end of March and attend her breakout session on having a global podcast.
Listen to the Slow Theology podcast co-hosted by Nijay Gupta and Dr. AJ Swaboda for discussions on deconstruction, faith, and navigating a complex world.
Engage with the World of Difference podcast by reaching out to Lori Adams-Brown on social media to share how the podcast has impacted your life and work.

Let suffering speak for the atrocities that are done then and now in the name of Jesus by Christians who should know better. But there's so much in scripture that has done so many good things for the things we take for granted right now. - Dr. Nijay Gupta

Embrace the Uniqueness

Embracing the uniqueness of early Christianity involves accepting its inherent non-conformity, individuality, and authenticity. It requires acknowledging the contrast between early Christian ideals and the current negative perceptions that have tainted the contemporary church. This embrace urges us to strive for a return to the faith's original, 'weird' roots, without the distortions prevalent in current mega-church culture.

The key moments in this episode are:

00:00:02 - Introduction to the Podcast

00:01:05 - Sponsorship and Therapy

00:01:27 - Introduction of Dr. Nijay Gupta

00:02:23 - The Concept of "Strange Religion,"

00:11:43 - Contrasting Ancient and Modern Religious Practices

00:14:24 - Early Christian Environment

00:17:29 - Religion in the Ancient World

00:19:47 - Gods and Fear

00:21:42 - Paradigm Shift

00:26:39 - Christianity's Evolution

00:29:47 - The Challenge of Loving Your Enemies

00:32:40 - Divisions and Unity

00:33:22 - Suspending Judgment

00:34:23 - Uncovering the Original Message

00:40:39 - The Impact of Early Christians

00:43:12 - Excitement for Podcast Movement Evolutions

00:43:36 - Meeting Listeners

00:43:56 - Gratitude and Encouragement

00:44:20 - Shoutout to Nijay Gupta

00:44:45 - Closing Remarks

Experience a Paradigm Shift

Timestamped summary of this episode:

00:00:02 - Introduction to the Podcast

Lori Adams Brown introduces the World of Difference podcast and its focus on those who are different and want to make a difference. The podcast is sponsored by Betterhelp, emphasizing the importance of therapy for personal growth and understanding strengths.

00:01:05 - Sponsorship and Therapy

Lori highlights the role of therapy in personal development and offers a 10% discount for Betterhelp. She encourages listeners to consider the benefits of talking to a professional about life's challenges and self-discovery.

00:01:27 - Introduction of Dr. Nijay Gupta

Lori introduces Dr. Nijay Gupta, a professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary, highlighting his expertise and previous works. She previews the discussion of his latest book, "Strange Religion," and its focus on early Christians contrasting with Roman culture.

00:02:23 - The Concept of "Strange Religion,"

Dr. Nijay Gupta explains the concept behind his book, "Strange Religion," drawing parallels between the unique individuality of Portland, Oregon, and the early Christians' commitment to a different way of living and beliefs. He emphasizes the need to rediscover the original, revolutionary essence of Christianity.

00:11:43 - Contrasting Ancient and Modern Religious Practices

Dr. Nijay Gupta discusses the differences between ancient Roman religion and modern Western views of religion. He highlights the public, obligatory, and practical nature of ancient Roman religion, contrasting it with the optional and personal approach often seen in modern

00:14:24 - Early Christian Environment

Dr. Nijay Gupta discusses the environment in which early Christians grew up, where religion was an obligation and a question of power and obedience to gods.

00:17:29 - Religion in the Ancient World

Gupta compares the saturation of religion in the ancient world to modern sports culture, highlighting the obligatory nature of religion during that time.

00:19:47 - Gods and Fear

Gupta explores the fear and power dynamics associated with the gods in the ancient world, and how early Christians rejected this paradigm by emphasizing a loving parental relationship with God.

00:21:42 - Paradigm Shift

The conversation delves into how early Christians shifted the religious paradigm from power and coercion to one of inherent dignity for all individuals, leading to a different socio-economic outlook.

00:26:39 - Christianity's Evolution

Gupta reflects on the need for Christianity to constantly evolve and change for the better, drawing inspiration from historical figures like Dietrich von Hoeffer and emphasizing the importance of returning to the core ideas of the faith.

00:29:47 - The Challenge of Loving Your Enemies

Dr. Nijay Gupta discusses the difficulty of Jesus' teaching to love your enemies and how it applies to our world today, especially in the face of political strife.

00:32:40 - Divisions and Unity

Dr. Gupta talks about how divisions exist not only in the political sphere but also in various parts of the world and emphasizes the importance of loving our enemies as a way to overcome these divisions and unite people.

00:33:22 - Suspending Judgment

The conversation delves into the challenge of suspending judgment, especially in today's society, and how it relates to the teachings of Jesus in the Bible.

00:34:23 - Uncovering the Original Message

Dr. Gupta shares the importance of revisiting the original teachings of Christianity and scripture, encouraging readers to look beyond the negative aspects and discover the timeless truths within.

00:40:39 - The Impact of Early Christians

The conversation concludes with a discussion on the impact of early Christians in history and how their values and ideals continue to influence social change and justice movements today.

00:43:12 - Excitement for Podcast Movement Evolutions

Lori shares her excitement for attending Podcast Movement Evolutions in LA and meeting up with listeners. She mentions the opportunity to meet Amy Poehler and her previous experience of hearing will Ferrell.

00:43:36 - Meeting Listeners

Lori expresses her eagerness to meet listeners of the podcast at the event and encourages them to come up and say hi. She values connecting with her audience and appreciates their support.

00:43:56 - Gratitude and Encouragement

Lori expresses gratitude to the listeners for taking the time to tune in and emphasizes the importance of self-care. She encourages everyone to keep making a difference in their own way, wherever they are.

00:44:20 - Shoutout to Nijay Gupta

Lori acknowledges Dr. Nijay Gupta and his perspective shared in the conversation, thanking him for his insights and contribution to the episode.

00:44:45 - Closing Remarks

Lori wraps up the episode with a reminder of the value each listener holds and encourages them to continue making a positive impact in the world.

Impactful Theology

Early Christian theology was transformative, marking a stark departure from the ancient Roman religious practices and fostering a culture of empathy and love. The teachings of Jesus, particularly those focused on love and compassion towards one’s enemies, remains relevant even in today's divisive world. Through a careful examination of our attitudes towards others, especially those with differing ideologies, we can more fully embody these teachings, fostering social transformation and bringing about meaningful change.

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