The remarkable diversity of Christianity during the formative years before the Council of Nicea has become a plain; even natural; "fact" for most ancient historians. Until now; however; there has been no sourcebook of primary texts that reveals the many varieties of Christian beliefs; practices; ethics; experiences; confrontations; and self-understandings. To help readers recognize and experience the rich diversity of the early Christian movement; After the New Testament provides a wide range of texts from the second and third centuries; both "orthodox" and "heterodox;" including such works as the Apostolic Fathers; the writings of Nag Hammadi; early pseudepigrapha; martyrologies; anti-Jewish tractates; heresiologies; canon lists; church orders; liturgical texts; and theological treatises. Rather than providing only fragments of texts; this collection prints large excerpts--entire documents wherever possible--organized under social and historical rubrics. This unique reader's concise and informative introductions and clear and up-to-date English translations make it ideal for courses on the New Testament; Christian Origins; Early Church History; or Late Antiquity. It will also be of interest to anyone--student; scholar; and general reader alike--interested in the entire range of early Christian literature from the period after the New Testament up to the writings of the so-called father of church history; Eusebius.
#1602656 in Books 1998-04-23 1998-04-23Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.20 x .50 x 5.40l; .40 #File Name: 0195091280160 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Starting pointBy L. CrabtreeEasy to read. I've just begun to study this area. I began with this one. I'm zipping right through it1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Ancient Israelite ReligionBy Todd P. PhillipsThis is readable; and a useful tool for becoming familiar with the ancient Israelite religion written by a well-known biblical scholar.10 of 13 people found the following review helpful. Toward an Understanding of Religion in Ancient IsraelBy Anthony SherbondyThis is an excellent; gentle introduction to an ancient religion. Some of the more controversial themes; for example child sacrifice; are touched on but not fully discussed. Niditch maintains throughout the book a non-pedantic style allowing the reader to gain an overall appreciation of the insights offered by modern scholarship (Ugarit texts; etc.) without getting lost in an endless sea of footnotes and references.
