Strange Religion
Brazos Press, 2024
By Nijay Gupta
WHO: Nijay Gupta, professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary, cohost of the Slow Theology podcast, and founder of the Crux Sola blog.
HE SAYS: “Jesus and the early Christians taught something different: each person is made in the image of God, God does not pay attention to status, he has no ‘favorites,’ all will face judgment, and all have equal access to divine grace and mercy.”
THE BIG IDEA: This book traces the early Christian faith against its Roman context to offer today’s believers hope and encouragement.
THE PROGRESSION: In Part 1, “Becoming Christian,” the author examines the early days of Christianity in the Roman world. Part 2, “What the First Christians Believed,” the author explores what early believers did and how the Romans regarded them. Part 3, “How the First Christians Worshiped,” looks at how the early church as different from other “cults.” The last section, “How the First Christians Lived,” shines a light on how the first Christians navigated their world.
“There’s no getting around that the early Christians were different and unexpected, off-putting to some but attractive and compelling to others.”