Strange Religion with Professor Nijay Gupta, Ph.D.

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: [email protected] this engaging episode of Faithful Politics, hosts Josh Bertram and Will Wright welcome back Dr. Nijay Gupta, a respected professor at Northern Seminary and a prolific author known for his contributions to New Testament studies. Dr. Gupta, who also hosts the Slow Theology podcast and founded the CruxSola blog, has recently published several influential books, further solidifying his reputation in the field. The discussion prominently features Dr. Gupta's latest book, "Strange Religion," which aims to make early Christianity relatable to modern audiences by exploring its counter-cultural beginnings and how it starkly differed from Roman religious practices and societal norms. Dr. Gupta emphasizes the importance of love, community, and authenticity in early Christian practices, advocating for a return to these core principles to address contemporary challenges within the church and society at large. The episode concludes with encouragements to engage with Dr. Gupta’s work for a deeper understanding of Christianity's roots and its relevance today, making it a valuable resource for individuals and church groups seeking meaningful insights into their faith.Buy the book: Strange Religion: How the First Christians Were Weird, Dangerous, and CompellingGuest Bio:Nijay Gupta (DPhil, University of Durham) has written several academic books including A Beginner’s Guide to New Testament Studies, Paul and the Language of Faith, 15 New Testament Words of Life, and Tell Her Story: How Women Led, Taught, and Ministered in the Early Church. He has co-edited The State of New Testament Studies, Dictionary of Paul and His Letters (2nd ed.), and The State of Pauline Studies. Nijay co-chairs the Pauline Theology seminar of the Institute for Biblical Research and serves as a senior translator for the New Living Translation.  Support Sarah Stankorb’s work and preorder Damned If She Does: Why Women Quit Church and What It Means for the Future of Religion, Releases September 15, 2026.  Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9798889837091Website: https://www.sarahstankorb.com/Support the showKeep the conversation going.Want to learn more about Faithful Politics, suggest a future guest, or connect with us directly?Visit our website:faithfulpoliticspodcast.comBrowse our bookstore, featuring books from many of our guests:faithfulpoliticspodcast.com/bookstoreSupport the show and help us keep these conversations going:patreon.com/cw/FaithfulPoliticsSubscribe for behind-the-scenes content, reflections, and updates:faithfulpolitics.substack.comContact the hosts:Josh Burtram, Faithful Host: [email protected] Wright, Political Host: [email protected] Faithful Politics:Instagram: faithful_politicsFacebook: FaithfulPoliticsPodcast