The Powers and “Popular Religion” in Pompeii and Paul’s Letter to the Romans

Abstract Readers of Romans debate how to understand Paul’s language related sin and death. Are death ontological powers that operate in the human realm? Does Paul use figurative describe abstract concepts? Rarely do scholars consider material evidence popular ideas as sources for addressing such questions. This essay considers archaeological findings from Pompeii an additional voice conversation understanding life a first-century Roman context framing Romans. The first philosophical critiques practices then turns remains demonstrate many thought suprahuman forces be at work world. With Vesuvian view, among can influence emerges plausible interpretation. personal thus resonates with beliefs Greco-Roman reframes them significant ways.