Denova explores how the first followers of Jesus arrived at their faith, the way their sacred texts developed into the New Testament, and how their movement eventually became the religion of Christianity. [Her] volume examines the concepts, beliefs, issues, and events that gave rise to institutional Christianity--providing readers with the historical context of the gospels of Mark, Matthew, Luke, and John, the Acts of the Apostles, the Book of Revelation, the letters of Paul, and other foundational New Testament documents"--Back cover.
Luke-Acts is a story about Jews, for Jews, written in the light of recent events which the author interprets as meaning that the 'final days' have begun. Included in those events are the sending of the 'prophet like Moses', the eschatological outpouring of the Spirit, the ingathering of the exiles, and the inclusion of gentiles in God's plan of salvation. As such, Luke-Acts was written to demonstrate the fulfilment of God's promises to Israel, and not as a history of the foundation of an independent gentile-Christian church. The key to unlocking the purpose of Luke-Acts is found in a prophetic structural pattern for both books, where the second book is instrumental in proving the claim of the messiahship of Jesus in the Gospel.
Offers an introduction to the basic beliefs, practices, and major deities of Greek and Roman religions A volume in the Blackwell Ancient Religions, Greek and Roman Religions offers an authoritative overview of the region’s ancient religious practices. The author—a noted expert in the field—explores the presence of divinity in all aspects of ancient life and highlights the origins of myth, religious authority, institutions, beliefs, rituals, sacred texts, and ethics. Comprehensive in scope, the text focuses on myriad aspects that constitute Greco-Roman culture such as economic class, honor and shame, and slavery as well as the religious role of each member of the family. The integration of ethnic and community identity with divine elements are highlighted in descriptions of religious festivals. Greek and Roman Religions presents the evolution of ideas concerning death and the afterlife and the relation of death to concepts of ultimate justice. The author also offers insight into the elements of ancient religions that remain important in our contemporary quest for meaning. This vital text: Offers a comprehensive review of ancient Greek and Roman religions and their institutions, beliefs, rituals, and more Examines how the Roman culture and religions borrowed from the Greek traditions Explores the ancient civilizations of the Mediterranean Basin Contains suggestions at the end of each chapter for further reading that include both traditional studies and more recent examinations of topical issues Written for students of ancient religions and religious studies, this important resource provides an overview of the ancient culture and history of the general region as well as the basic background of Greek and Roman civilizations.
Provides a broad and balanced understanding of how Christianity originated in the first five centuries Varieties of Early Christianity: The Formation of the Western Christian Tradition traces the origins and evolution of Christian concepts from the first through the sixth century CE, exploring the events, issues, and individuals that helped shape the beliefs and practices of Christianity. With a multidisciplinary Religious Studies approach, this reader-friendly textbook places the early sources of Christian teaching within their historical and cultural contexts to highlight what gave rise to the beliefs and rituals that Christians follow in the present day. Chronologically organized chapters analyse the ways in which Christians absorbed and adapted ancient concepts from Judaism and Greco-Roman religion and culture from the first through the sixth centuries. Combining both traditions, early bishops, Church Fathers, and theologians added innovations that contributed to the establishment of a unique systematic theology (dogma) that became “Christianity.” Throughout the text, readers are encouraged to consider how the ways early Christians integrated their worldviews, politics, and daily lives can help articulate their own “systems of meaning” in the modern world. Helps readers navigate the vast amount of Christian literature produced in the early centuries of the Church Provides the religious and cultural background of Judaism and Greco-Roman religion and culture, the two major contributors to Christian thought Describes the methodology used to analyze the gospels in relation to ancient literature Explores topics such as Christian martyrs in the Roman Empire, the role of women in Mediterranean society, Gnostic Christians, the Christianization of the Roman Empire, the work of Saint Augustine, and the Council of Chalcedon Includes excerpts from primary documents, definitions of words and concepts, further readings, and numerous figures, timelines, and maps Featuring concise analyses of key scholarly and archaeological research, Varieties of Early Christianity: The Formation of the Western Christian Tradition is an excellent textbook for secondary school classes and college undergraduate courses on the history of Christianity, as well as a valuable resource for general readers interested in examining the history of Christian ideas in their historical context.
Offers an introduction to the basic beliefs, practices, and major deities of Greek and Roman religions A volume in the Blackwell Ancient Religions, Greek and Roman Religions offers an authoritative overview of the region’s ancient religious practices. The author—a noted expert in the field—explores the presence of divinity in all aspects of ancient life and highlights the origins of myth, religious authority, institutions, beliefs, rituals, sacred texts, and ethics. Comprehensive in scope, the text focuses on myriad aspects that constitute Greco-Roman culture such as economic class, honor and shame, and slavery as well as the religious role of each member of the family. The integration of ethnic and community identity with divine elements are highlighted in descriptions of religious festivals. Greek and Roman Religions presents the evolution of ideas concerning death and the afterlife and the relation of death to concepts of ultimate justice. The author also offers insight into the elements of ancient religions that remain important in our contemporary quest for meaning. This vital text: Offers a comprehensive review of ancient Greek and Roman religions and their institutions, beliefs, rituals, and more Examines how the Roman culture and religions borrowed from the Greek traditions Explores the ancient civilizations of the Mediterranean Basin Contains suggestions at the end of each chapter for further reading that include both traditional studies and more recent examinations of topical issues Written for students of ancient religions and religious studies, this important resource provides an overview of the ancient culture and history of the general region as well as the basic background of Greek and Roman civilizations.
Denova explores how the first followers of Jesus arrived at their faith, the way their sacred texts developed into the New Testament, and how their movement eventually became the religion of Christianity. [Her] volume examines the concepts, beliefs, issues, and events that gave rise to institutional Christianity--providing readers with the historical context of the gospels of Mark, Matthew, Luke, and John, the Acts of the Apostles, the Book of Revelation, the letters of Paul, and other foundational New Testament documents"--Back cover.
Hostile encounters between Jesus and Jewish leaders are found throughout the Gospel of Matthew. Yet these encounters are rarely explored holistically, nor is attention given to the reason for their prominence in the Matthean text. In By What Authority?, Dr Rebecca Ye-Atkinson examines seventeen distinct moments of conflict in the first gospel, exploring the function of each narrative in light of Matthew’s overarching literary and theological purposes. An excellent resource for scholars, this in-depth textual analysis is also accessible and engaging for any reader interested in deepening their understanding of Matthew’s gospel and its message.
Luke-Acts is a story about Jews, for Jews, written in the light of recent events which the author interprets as meaning that the 'final days' have begun. Included in those events are the sending of the 'prophet like Moses', the eschatological outpouring of the Spirit, the ingathering of the exiles, and the inclusion of gentiles in God's plan of salvation. As such, Luke-Acts was written to demonstrate the fulfilment of God's promises to Israel, and not as a history of the foundation of an independent gentile-Christian church. The key to unlocking the purpose of Luke-Acts is found in a prophetic structural pattern for both books, where the second book is instrumental in proving the claim of the messiahship of Jesus in the Gospel.
Provides a broad and balanced understanding of how Christianity originated in the first five centuries Varieties of Early Christianity: The Formation of the Western Christian Tradition traces the origins and evolution of Christian concepts from the first through the sixth century CE, exploring the events, issues, and individuals that helped shape the beliefs and practices of Christianity. With a multidisciplinary Religious Studies approach, this reader-friendly textbook places the early sources of Christian teaching within their historical and cultural contexts to highlight what gave rise to the beliefs and rituals that Christians follow in the present day. Chronologically organized chapters analyse the ways in which Christians absorbed and adapted ancient concepts from Judaism and Greco-Roman religion and culture from the first through the sixth centuries. Combining both traditions, early bishops, Church Fathers, and theologians added innovations that contributed to the establishment of a unique systematic theology (dogma) that became “Christianity.” Throughout the text, readers are encouraged to consider how the ways early Christians integrated their worldviews, politics, and daily lives can help articulate their own “systems of meaning” in the modern world. Helps readers navigate the vast amount of Christian literature produced in the early centuries of the Church Provides the religious and cultural background of Judaism and Greco-Roman religion and culture, the two major contributors to Christian thought Describes the methodology used to analyze the gospels in relation to ancient literature Explores topics such as Christian martyrs in the Roman Empire, the role of women in Mediterranean society, Gnostic Christians, the Christianization of the Roman Empire, the work of Saint Augustine, and the Council of Chalcedon Includes excerpts from primary documents, definitions of words and concepts, further readings, and numerous figures, timelines, and maps Featuring concise analyses of key scholarly and archaeological research, Varieties of Early Christianity: The Formation of the Western Christian Tradition is an excellent textbook for secondary school classes and college undergraduate courses on the history of Christianity, as well as a valuable resource for general readers interested in examining the history of Christian ideas in their historical context.
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