This is On Script, bringing you conversations about current scholarship on scripture.

We're your host, Matt and Matt. Thanks for listening. In the second century AD, an elderly Christian bishop named Polycarp, who was hiding in a local home, was arrested for being a Christian.

He was taken to the stadium where the pro council soughtouncil sought to persuade him to deny Christ, saying,

swear by the genius of Caesar, and respect your old age. The proconsul pleaded with Polycarp to change

his mind about Christ and to exclaim, away with the atheists. With his, away with the atheists,

it might surprise us to learn that the pro-consul was referring to Christians,

that he considered Christians atheists. Where did such an idea come from? In what other ways

were early Christian beliefs perceived differently in their ancient contexts in comparison with their

modern? And how has all this shaped our contemporary views of quote-unquote religion?

Larry Hurtado is with us today to help us think through such matters.

We'll be discussing his exciting new book, Destroyer of the Gods.

As for Polycarp, he did not deny Christ, but remained faithful.

He turned to the pagans who had crowded into the stadium, pointed at them, and shouted,

away with the atheists before dying as a

martyr. Now, Larry, welcome. Thanks for joining us. Where are you speaking with us from today?

From my office in the University of Edinburgh. Well, thanks so much for joining us. We're really excited to

have you as a guest. Now, Larry, we've corresponded professionally a couple times, and I've heard you speak before,

but I've never met you personally, so I think we need a get to know you question.

So here's a question that hopefully at least will give us a window into your life a little bit.

And here's my question.

What's a typical day look like in the life of Larry Hurtado?

Well, now that I'm emeritus retired, it's very different than it was.

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