The Cambridge History of Christianity

by Margaret M. Mitchell (Editor), Frances M. Young (Editor)

Overview

Over thirty essays provide a comprehensive overview of the essential events, persons, places and issues involved in the emergence of the Christian religion in the Mediterranean world over the first three centuries. The collection traces the dynamic history from the time of Jesus through to the rise of Imperial Christianity in the fourth century. It provides a thoughtful and well-documented analysis of the diverse forms of Christian community, identity and practice that arose soon after Jesus's death, and which through missionary efforts were soon implanted throughout the Roman Empire.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781107423619
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	07/31/2014
Series:	Cambridge History of Christianity
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	790
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 9.02(h) x 1.73(d)

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.

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.

Editorial Reviews

"The editors have recruited squadrons of experts, pulled their chapters into well integrated order, and themselves offered unusually useful summaries and conclusions. The treatment of traditional themes and historical Christian regions is superb, but even better is the innovative work on fresh subjects and new Christian areas of the globe."
-Mark A. Noll, The Christian Century

"An outstanding collection of essays that chronicle the theological, intellectual, political, social, cultural, regional and global ideas and events that situate the Christian movement in the context of world events and thought. This is the first of nine volumes in what will surely be a major influence on the twenty-first century understanding of the impact of Christianity on world history and culture."
-Catholic Press Association

"It is an ambitious and welcome undertaking...the value of this volume is considerable, for it pours forth a rich bounty of data and interpretive ideas to help scholars and students in the ongoing task of understanding the formative years in the history of Christianity."
-Robert Louis Wilken, The Catholic Historical Review

"As a reference work this history provides what it should provide, a compendious account of early Christianity consistent with the best recent scholarship, indicating, when appropriate, matters where the state of the question is not settled. It does this in an accessible way and directs readers to further information, mostly in English, in notes and bibliographies."
-Joseph W. Trigg, Christ Church, La Plata, Maryland, Church History

"The first volume of The Cambridge History of Christianity is highly recommended for any library but especially for theological collections. All the contributions are of the highest quality. They challenge us to rethink everything we knew about the beginnings of Christianity."
-Lucien J. Richard, OMI

"...inspires awe....enormous diversity of of excellent scholars....stands out from rivals by its sheer scale....provide an effective structure....identification and development of themes is thoroughly successful....deeply impressive..."
—Philip Jenkins


"The solid and deft historical scholarship evidenced throughout the volume is at the same time not insensitive to the properly theological issues and concerns at stake in the growth and development of Christianity. The editors of this collection have set the bar high for subsequent volumes." —Michael Heintz, University of Notre Dame: Religious Studies Review

From the Publisher