Early Christianity in Contexts
An Exploration across Cultures and Continents
This major work draws on current archaeological and textual research to trace the spread of Christianity in the first millennium. William Tabbernee, an internationally renowned scholar of the history of Christianity, has assembled a team of expert historians to survey the diverse forms of early Christianity as it spread across centuries, cultures, and continents.
Organized according to geographical areas of the late antique world, this book examines what various regions looked like before and after the introduction of Christianity. How and when was Christianity (or a new form or expression of it) introduced into the region? How were Christian life and thought shaped by the particularities of the local setting? And how did Christianity in turn influence or reshape the local culture? The book's careful attention to local realities adds depth and concreteness to students' understanding of early Christianity, while its broad sweep introduces them to first-millennium precursors of today's variegated, globalized religion. Numerous photographs, sidebars, and maps are included.
"This remarkable book provides a regional approach to the origins of the early church. . . . Most sections have useful illustrations, maps, and textboxes with translations of primary sources and inscriptions. There is also a useful subject index, an index of ancient writings, and an extensive bibliography. The authors . . . and editor together have created a masterful survey of the early church. It is good to see a collaboration of established authorities and rising stars assemble such a useful, readable, accessible, reference work."
John F. DeFelice,
Near East Archaeological Society
"Early Christianity in Contexts is well written by able scholars in classical history and early Christianity. It provides a level of consistency that is usually lacking in a single volume by multiple authors. The structure, accessible style, and rich historical content commend its usefulness to scholars and graduate students of early Christianity and historical theology. . . . A must-read for students of early Christianity."
Daniel K. Darko,
Bulletin for Biblical Research
"These essays enrich the traditional portrait of early Christianity. . . . Their geographic scope is broader and their attention to subregions and cities more detailed than most students of the period will have encountered. . . . Tabbernee's volume will be a vital research companion for scholars of early Christianity at every academic level. Scholars of the history of missions will also discover plentiful material on how the church took root among, and interacted with, an array of cultures--historical data of great contemporary relevance."
Sarah Patterson White,
International Bulletin of Mission Research
"This impressive work . . . [is] a challenging but fascinating read. . . . The most splendid addition to the discipline is nearly 150 maps and illustrations, helping the reader to visualize the locations of early churches, monasteries, and other archeological findings. The list of contributors . . . reads like a who's who in the study of ancient history. Each contributes with their specialty. Although the overall style of the text is formal, scholarly, and well documented, it is never a dull duty going through the pages. Early Christianity in Contexts is a helpful work to understand the roots of Christianity that were planted over the first few hundred years of the early church. . . . There is much of our Christian heritage being lost because of meaningless destruction. This book will help us to remember the spiritual roots of the early church."
"[A] well-edited and lavishly illustrated book. . . . The emphasis on material evidence is an original feature and the introduction well conveys the excitement caused by new archaeological discoveries relating to the early Christianity. . . . Well-structured and complemented by a good index, this book will provide good services as a quick reference tool and as introductory reading. . . . Even if in terms of interpretation this volume remains indebted to traditional views, it will undoubtedly offer good service as an up-to-date account of how Christianity spread in the first half millennium of its existence. It is a reminder of the wealth of material regarding, and difference in context and nature of, early Christianity. For this the editor and authors deserve praise."
Peter Van Nuffelen,
"Early Christianity in Contexts provides a helpful introduction to the international flavor that has characterized the church from its very beginnings."
Calvin Theological Journal
"The book is informative and comprehensive."
Moe Moe Nyunt,