Paul for the World with Dr. Nijay Gupta

Brian talks with his professor Dr. Nijay Gupta about his new book Paul for the World, its predecessor Strange Religion, and what's next.Highlights:Crossover publishing — Gupta writes for engaged "nerdy lay people" and pastors, bridging academic scholarship and pop-Christian devotional writing.From Strange Religion to Paul for the World — the first book immersed readers in the ancient "marketplace of gods"; readers then asked how to actually live faithfully today, prompting this follow-up (original title: Here and Now).A "here and now" gospel — Gupta argues the gospel is about present life, not just future heaven, drawing on Bonhoeffer's idea of "worldliness" (invasion, not escape) and Philippians 3 / Revelation 21.How topics were chosen — built around (1) what makes up a human life (work, health, friendship, sports) and (2) what Paul himself actually wrote about most — mostly practical, worldly problems, not abstract theology.Friendship in Paul — Paul wasn't a lone wolf; he's constantly surrounded by named companions. Gupta argues Paul favors agapētos ("beloved") over philos to "Christianize" friendship.Wellness & suffering — 2 Corinthians' "sentence of death" language connects to modern anxiety and depression; Gupta shares a personal near-death story from a snowstorm.Love in Pauline theology — revisiting The Affections of Christ Jesus: love isn't just ethics, it's central to Paul's theology (Galatians 2:20, 1 Corinthians 13).Strange Religion revisited — ancient religion as civic/communal, not private; the Roman ritual of evocatio as background for "I will never leave you nor forsake you."What's next:2 Timothy commentary (Smyth & Helwys series)Fierce and Faithful — children's book on 25 women in Scripture (w/ Carmen Imes)God Spoke Through Her — on women prophets (Feb. 2027)The Wooden Compass (working title) — a book on the cross and discipleshipBooks mentioned: Paul for the World, Strange Religion, The Affections of Christ Jesus, Tell Her Story (Gupta) · Dominion (Tom Holland) · Letters and Papers from Prison (Bonhoeffer)Scripture referenced: Philippians 2–3 · Galatians 2:20 · 2 Corinthians 8–9 · 1 Thessalonians · 2 Timothy · Revelation 5, 21 · Acts 19 · Joel 2/Acts 2