Welcome to the Influence Podcast! I’m George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host.

“Paul didn’t want believers to detach themselves from life in this world,” writes Nijay Gupta. “He didn’t want ‘otherworldliness’ only. He also didn’t want them to be preoccupied with only temporary and fleeting things, ‘cheap worldliness.’ He wanted believers to imitate Christ and walk in the Spirit here and now — ‘holy worldliness’.”

In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Gupta about what this means, based on his new book.

Nijay Gupta, Ph.D., is Julius R. Mantey Professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary and author of Paul for the World, published by Brazos Press.

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In this insightful study, New Testament scholar Waldemar Kowalski carefully examines the historical and cultural contexts behind Paul’s most challenging statements about women in ministry. By placing these passages within their proper setting, Kowalski helps readers see a clearer picture of Paul’s intent.

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Show Notes

• 00:00 — Introduction and Sponsor Ad
• 01:49 — For many listeners, “holy worldliness” is an oxymoron. So, what do you mean by that phrase?
• 07:45 — Why do you think Paul was a good exemplar of holy worldliness?
• 11:03 — How does Paul inform Christians on the topic of ethnic equality?
• 20:21 — What does a first-century Roman have to say to 21^st-century Americans about economics?
• 26:02 — Paul rarely if ever used the Greek terms for friendship. So, what does he have to say about a topic he seemingly wrote nothing about?
• 30:33 — What does Paul say to us about sports?
• 38:08 In your opinion as a seminary professor, what is the spiritual and intellectual value of doing research for yourself? Do you have concerns about ministers using AI?
• 44:58 — What are you reading right now that is interesting, helpful, and/or personally challenging?
• 46:18 — Conclusion