Table of Contents

List of Illustrations. List of Contributors. Preface. List of Abbreviations Volume 1. Part 1: The Context Part 2: Christian Origins and Development Part 3: Community Formation and Maintenance Part 4: Everyday Christian Experience Part 5: The Intellectual Heritage Volume 2. Part 6: The Artistic Heritage Part 7: Extrenal Challenges Part 8: Internal Challenges Part 9: Profiles. Index of Biblical References. Index of Classical References. Index of Jewish References. Index of Patristic References. Subject Index

About the Author

Philip F. Esler is Professor of Biblical Criticism at the University of St Andrews, Scotland. He has written extensively on social-scientific approaches to biblical interpretation.

Reviews

"Esler's book is a major accomplishment. It will surely become a standard reference. Beautifully produced and sumptuously illustrated." - Theological Studies "With 230 figures, including maps, and five indexes of biblical, classical, Jewish, patristic and subject references, this is the consummate succinct reference set. The fifty authors are experts in their subject matter, and they span a wide range of institutional sites and religious perspectives. A required purchase for any library that deals with early Christianity, and an outstanding aid for students." - Religious Studies Review "Esler, his collaborators and Routledge deserve enormous credit and praise for their achievement." - Journal of Religion