This episode looks at the situation at Rome in the mid-first century that led Paul to write the letter to the Romans, now in the New Testament. In particular, I delve into the purposes in Paul writing and his focus on what he sees as ethnic divisions between Greeks and Judeans in the groups of Jesus-followers. It appears that certain Greek or Gentile followers of Jesus were looking down upon Judean Jesus-followers who were concerned with following the law, including avoidance of foods associated with idolatry. The next episode will consider Paul's approach to this situation.
This episode is part of series one ("Paul and his Communities") of the Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean podcast, which is connected with the blog of the same name at
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