The Routledge Companion to Early Christian Thought / Edition 1

by D. Jeffrey Bingham

Overview

The shape and course which Christian thought has taken over its history is largely due to the contributions of individuals and communities in the second and third centuries. Bringing together a remarkable team of distinguished scholars, The Routledge Companion to Early Christian Thought is the ideal companion for those seeking to understand the way in which Early Christian thought developed within its broader cultural milieu and was communicated through its literature, especially as it was directed toward theological concerns.

Divided into three parts, the Companion:

• asks how Christianity's development was impacted by its interaction with cultural, philosophical, and religious elements within the broader context of the second and third centuries.
• examines the way in which Early Christian thought was manifest in key individuals and literature in these centuries.
• analyses Early Christian thought as it was directed toward theological concerns such as God, Christ, Redemption, Scripture, and the community and its worship.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780415442251
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	12/21/2009
Series:	Routledge Religion Companions
Pages:	360
Product dimensions:	6.88(w) x 9.69(h) x (d)

About the Author

D. Jeffrey Bingham is Department Chair and Professor of Theological Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary, USA. He is editor of the Brill monograph series, The Bible in Ancient Christianity, as well as author of Irenaeus’ Use of Matthew’s Gospel in Adversus Haereses and several articles and essays on the theology and biblical interpretation of early Christianity.

Table of Contents

Notes on Contributors ix

Preface xi

Part I World

1 Christianity in the Graeco-Roman world: socio-political, philosophical, and religious interactions up to the Edict of Milan (CE 313) George H. Van Kooten 3

2 Early Christianity and philosophy Mark J. Edwards 38

3 Greco-Roman understanding of Christianity Paul Hartog 51

4 Jews and Christians Lynn H. Cohick 68

Part II Literature

5 Imitations in literature and life: Apocrypha and martyrdom J. K. Elliott 87

6 Ignatius and the Apostolic Fathers Clayton N. Jefford 108

7 Justin and the apologists Oskar Skarsaune 121

8 Irenaeus of Lyons D. Jeffrey Bingham 137

9 Roman and North African Christianity Geoffrey D. Dunn 154

10 Clement and Alexandrian Christianity Henny Fiskå Hägg 172

11 Origen Ronald E. Heine 188

12 Gnosis and Nag Hammadi Anne Mcguire 204

13 Schism and heresy: identity, cracks, and canyons in early Christianity Pheme Perkins 227

Part III Thought

14 God M. C. Steenberg 241

15 Christ: the Apostolic Fathers to the third century J. A. Mcguckin 256

16 Redemption James D. Ernest 271

17 Scripture Peter W. Martens 288

18 Community and worship Everett Ferguson 313

Index 331

Editorial Reviews

'A wonderful compendium written by leading scholars with a clear-cut introduction into the main topics, authors, and themes, and at the same time an authoritative guide to primary sources and secondary literature.' - Christoph Markschies, Humboldt-University, Germany

'This collection combines an admirably broad scope with the depth that comes from fine scholarship. In considering great thinkers and key issues in relation to rapid growth and change of the early Christian movement, it contextualizes early Christian theology without reductionism. It should become a standard reference for teachers, students and scholars.- Andrew McGowan, University of Melbourne, Australia

From the Publisher