The Ancient Evolution of Religion

Bruce Chilton

In this episode of the Gnostic Warrior, I speak with author and scholar of early Christianity and Judaism, Dr. Bruce Chilton. Bruce is the author of several books such as ‘Rabbi Jesus: An Intimate Biography’, ‘Mary Magdalene: A Biography’, and ‘Visions of the Apocalypse: Receptions of John’s Revelation in Western Imagination’, to name a few.

In this podcast Dr. Chilton discusses how in the ancient Roman Empire, the Caesars were held up as gods to the people they had ruled. People like the ancient Christians who refused to worship Caesar were often exterminated. Everyone, but the Jews. Bruce talks about the Rabbi Jesus’ Jewish upbringing and the meaning of the Messiah and Christ. He shares his knowledge of the purpose of why there is religion, the various Christian religious denominations, and the identity of the ancient Jews.

Bruce also talks about his theory that experience is everything, and how a focus on perception was both the strength and the weakness of Adolph Huxley’s approach to religion.

This interview was originally conducted by Moe on February 12, 2015 from San Diego County, California and Bruce in New York.