Table of Contents

Prelude Frances M. Young; Part I. The Political, Social and Religious Setting: 1. Galilee and Judea in the first century Sean Freyne; 2. The Jewish Diaspora Tessa Rajak; 3. The Roman Empire Hans-Josef Klauck; Part II. The Jesus Movements: 4. Jewish Christianity Joel Marcus; 5. Gentile Christianity Margaret M. Mitchell; 6. Johannine Christianity Harold W. Attridge; 7. Social and ecclesial life of the earliest Christians Wayne A. Meeks; Part III. Community Traditions and Self-definition: 8. The emergence of the written record Margaret M. Mitchell; 9. Marcion and the 'Canon' Harry Y. Gamble; 10. Self-definition vis à vis the Jewish matrix Judith Lieu; 11. Self-definition vis à vis the Graeco-Roman world Arthur J. Droge; 12. Self-differentiation among Christian groups: the Gnostics and their opponents David Brakke; 13. Truth and tradition: Irenaeus Denis Minns; 14. The self-defining praxis of the developing ecclesia Carolyn Osiek; Part IV. Regional Varieties of Christianity in the First Three Centuries: 15. From Jerusalem to the ends of the earth Margaret M. Mitchell; 16. Overview: the geographical spread of Christianity Frank Trombley; 17. Asia Minor and Achaea pre 325 CE Christine Trevett; 18. Egypt Birger A. Pearson; 19. Syria and Mesopotamia Susan Ashbrook Harvey; 20. Gaul John Behr; 21. North Africa Maureen A. Tilley; 22. Rome Markus Vinzent; Part V. The Shaping of Christian Theology: 23. Institutions in pre-Constantinian ecclesia Stuart George Hall; 24. Monotheism and creation Gerhard May; 25. Monotheism and Christology Frances M. Young; 26. Ecclesiology forged in the wake of persecution Stuart George Hall; 27. Towards a Christian paideia Frances M. Young; Part VI. 'Aliens' Become Citizens: Towards Imperial Patronage: 28. Persecutions: genesis and legacy W. H. C. Frend; 29. Church and state up to c.300 CE Adolf Martin Ritter; 30. Constantine and the 'Peace of the Church' Averil M. Cameron; 31. The first council of Nicaea Mark Edwards; 32. Towards a Christian material culture Robin M. Jensen; Conclusion: retrospect and prospect Margaret M. Mitchell.

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A thorough overview of the emergence of Christianity in the first three centuries.

About the Author

Margaret M. Mitchell is Professor of New Testament and Early Christian Literature at the University of Chicago. Her many publications include Paul and the Rhetoric of Reconciliation (1993). Frances Young is a Fellow of the British Academy and received an OBE for services to Theology in 1998. She is Emeritus Professor of Theology, University of Birmingham and served as Pro-Vice-Chancellor from 1997–2002.

Reviews

'The Cambridge History of Christianity is a most ambitious project ... The full collection is intended to blend sociological, demographic, cultural, and institutional historical perspectives with the developement of worship and liturgical traditions and theological developement. Given the goal of the series, [this book] is a major success. Professor Mitchell ... and Professor Young ... have successfully combined their vast talents to edit a compendium of essays rich in detail and true to the objective of avoiding revisionist history ... This volume is a must-read for all interested in the early church. It is written for an academic or professional audience and is a required addition to any well-equipped library. While each reader will find areas where more material would be of great interest, the extensive bibliographies (ninety-two pages) provide a wealth of supplemental resources.' History and Society of Religion 'This volume is a propitious opening to the eight which will follow ... This is an important, sophisticated and intelligently edited volume which should aid and abet the student of earliest Christianity for many a year to come. Higher praise could not be bestowed upon a handbook of this kind.' Journal of Ecclesiastical History 'The utility of the Cambridge History of Christianity: Origins to Constantine lies primarily in its comprehensive treatment of discrete aspects of the early church, covering a wide range of themes, issues, persons and events. Its insightful chapters are supplemented by useful illustrations, maps, detailed bibliographies and index. Origins to Constantine is a valuable resource for the lay-person and scholar alike. While the cost of the book will be prohibitive for some, libraries and scholars able to invest in this volume and the series will yield intellectual dividends for years to come.' Studies in Religion