Paul was a magician?!
About this episode
To us, the question may sound strange.
But in ancient Ephesus—a city famous for magic, religious rituals, and the Temple of Artemis—the distinction may not have been so obvious.
Paul arrived preaching a Judean God and Messiah while stories circulated about extraordinary signs and wonders associated with his ministry.
To some, was he challenging the magical world of Ephesus?
Or did he appear to be claiming access to an even greater supernatural power?
Then there was another issue: money.
When Paul’s message began disrupting the religious economy surrounding Artemis, theology, magic, power, and commerce collided.
Understanding that world changes how we understand Paul’s time in Ephesus.
