The Sons of God: Augustus and the Christ

What did it mean to call someone “Son of God” in the Roman world—and why would anyone believe it about Jesus? Long before the Gospels were written, Augustus was already called “son of the divine Julius,” “savior,” and even “lord.” This episode explores the world Jesus was born into: a world of emperors, revolts, crosses, and theological propaganda. Drawing from ancient Roman inscriptions, Jewish history, and the imperial cult, we uncover how the earliest claims about Christ weren’t just religious—they were political. Whether you're a believer or a skeptic, this is the forgotten backdrop that changed everything.