604: Faulty Foot Washing & Pagan Christianity with Nijay Gupta
Feb 14, 2024
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New Testament professor Nijay Gupta discusses his book 'Strange Religion' and explains the pagan values and practices returning from Roman religion. The hosts react to a controversial Super Bowl ad depicting foot washing, and discuss the misunderstandings of Jesus washing his disciples' feet. Other topics include a trip to Las Vegas, swearing parrots, a pigeon spy, Roman religion, and the contrast between Roman rituals and Christian worship.
Understanding the cultural context of early Christianity is crucial to grasp its uniqueness and the influence of Roman culture and religion.
The true meaning of footwashing in the ancient world was about Jesus humbling himself and disciples surrendering their reputation for love.
The 'He Gets Us' ad campaign challenges Christians to embrace radical love and association with others, even if it means being shamed or rejected by their own community.
Deep dives
The Roman Empire's Influence on Early Christianity
The podcast episode explores the influence of Roman culture and religion on early Christianity. It discusses the hierarchical structure of Roman society, where power and religion were intertwined. The analogy of the mafia is used to describe the Roman understanding of the connection between people and deities. The episode highlights how Roman religion was obligatory and about survival, contrasting it with the choice-based and individualistic nature of modern religious practices. It emphasizes the need to understand the cultural context of the early church to fully comprehend its uniqueness.
The Symbolism of Footwashing and its Misinterpretation
The podcast episode examines the symbolism of footwashing in the ancient world and its misinterpretation in contemporary Christianity. It clarifies that footwashing was not a model of servant leadership, as commonly believed, but rather an act of Jesus humbling himself and humiliating his disciples. The podcast emphasizes that footwashing was not celebrated or praised in the ancient world, but was instead a challenging and counter-cultural act that required followers to be willing to surrender their reputation for the sake of love. It highlights the importance of understanding the true meaning of footwashing in order to emulate the humility and selflessness of Jesus.
The Message of the He Gets Us Ad
The podcast episode discusses the analysis and reactions to the He Gets Us ad campaign, which aims to rebrand Jesus for the modern age. It examines how the ad portrays Jesus washing the feet of various individuals, generating controversy and misunderstandings among viewers. The podcast emphasizes the need for cultural context to fully grasp the main message of the ad, which revolves around the idea of Christians being willing to serve and love all people regardless of societal expectations or their own reputation. It encourages Christians to reflect on their willingness to embrace radical love and association with others, even if it means being shamed or rejected by their own community.
Comparing Roman Culture to Contemporary Society
The podcast episode draws parallels between Roman culture and modern society, exploring the concept of stratified power and the consequences of affiliating with different groups. It discusses how Roman society was organized in a pyramid-like structure, with survival and appeasement being paramount. The episode highlights the significance of questioning whether similar power dynamics exist in current society, and whether individuals are willing to challenge social expectations and extend love and compassion towards those considered undeserving or different.
The Influence of Roman Religion on Early Christianity
Early Christianity was seen as weird and threatening in the Roman Empire due to its contrasting beliefs and practices. Roman religion focused on appeasing the gods through sacrifices and rituals, but Christians worshiped a crucified savior, which was seen as absurd in a society that valued strength and power. Roman religion was centered around temples, priests, and controlled practices, while Christianity gathered in homes and emphasized heart devotion to God. The transactional nature of Roman religion, where people gave to the gods in order to receive blessings, is echoed in contemporary American Christianity, particularly in the prosperity gospel and views on moral behavior. Christians are called to be people of conscience, prioritizing a personal relationship with God over following a religious system.
Making Gods in Our Image
One of the dangers of contemporary American Christianity is idolizing charismatic leaders and associating them with God. Just like how Roman statues resembled humans and people talked to them as if they were real, Christians can fall into the trap of shaping God to resemble their leaders or preachers. The emphasis on performance and transactional relationship with God, seen in practices like giving and following certain behaviors to receive blessings, mimic the appeasement-focused mindset of pagan Roman religion. Paul's letters and the message of Christianity, on the other hand, challenge believers to prioritize heart devotion and a willingness to suffer for Christ, promoting a countercultural message in a society that values power, success, and performance.
The “He Gets Us” campaign ran a Super Bowl ad showing culture war combatants washing each other’s feet. It has conservative Christians upset and non-Christians confused. Phil, Kaitlyn, and Skye react to the ad and unpack the many ways we misunderstand the meaning of Jesus washing his disciples’ feet. Then, New Testament professor Nijay Gupta is back to discuss his new book “Strange Religion” about what made early Christianity so weird and compelling. He explains what Roman religion looked like before Christianity, and how those pagan values and practices are returning. Plus, Chinese spy pigeons and swearing parrots.
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