Table of Contents

Each chapter ends with Further Reading (both Ancient Sources and Modern Works).
Preface:
Abbreviations and Signs:
Chapter 1: Jesus
Non-Christian Sources about Jesus
Christian Sources about Jesus
Word-of-Mouth Good News:
Written Good News:
The Synoptic Problem:
Mark and Matthew on Christology:
Mark and Matthew on the Disciples:
Jesus
PART I: THE CONTEXTS OF EARLY CHRISTIANITY
Timeline for First-Century Christianity
Chapter 2: The Jewish Context of the Jesus Movement
The Jews and Hellenization
The Temple
Synagogues
Ordinary Judaism in Palestine
Sects and Parties:
Diaspora ("Dispersion')
Proselytes and God-Fearers:
Roman Rule and the Jews
The Jewish War of 66-73:
The Jewish War of 132-135:
Chapter 3: The Greek and Roman Context of Early Christianity
Official Cults
Voluntary Cults
Rebirth at Eleusis:
The Cult of Mithras:
The Cult of Isis:
The Cult of the Great Mother:
Astrology, Oracles, Magicians:
Philosophies
Chapter 4: The Jesus Movement in the First Century
Jewish Christianity
Jewish Christians and Gentile Converts:
Jewish Christians and the Jewish Rebellions:
Later Jewish Christianities:
Gentile Christianities
Paul and Gentile Christians:
Paul the Missionary:
Paul the Theologian:
PART II: CHRISTIANITY IN THE SECOND AND THIRD CENTURIES
Timeline for the Second and Third Centuries
A Note on Naming Christian Groups
Chapter 5: Christian Diversity in the Second and Third Centuries
Gnostic Christianities:
Marcionite Christianity:
Chapter 6: The Emergence of a Proto-Orthodox Christian Consensus: Bishop, Creed, and Canon of Scripture
One Bishop, Elders, and Deacons/Deaconesses
Creeds and Rules of Faith
The Canon of Scripture
A Case Study: The New Prophecy
Chapter 7: Roman Society and the Christians
Roman Law and the Christians
The "Crowd" and the Christians
The First Phase of Persecution (about 29-about 250)
Nero and the Christians:
Pliny and the Christians:
Persecution at Lyons and Vienne:
The Second Phase of Persecution (250-260)
The Emperor Decius (249-251):
The Emperor Valerian (253-260):
Chapter 8: Christian Intellectuals
Justin Martyr (about 100-about 165)
Origen (about 185-251)
Origen and the Scriptures:
Origen the Theologian:
Chapter 9: Proto-Orthodox Christian Communities in the Third Century
The Baptized Faithful
The Catechumens ("Those under Instruction")
Penitents, Apostates, Excommunicates
Christian Buildings before Constantine
Christian Art before Constantine
Worship before Constantine
Baptism:
Eucharist:
Ordination:
Christian Customs:
PART III: THE CREATION OF A CHRISTIAN EMPIRE
Timeline of Later Christianity
Chapter 10: Diocletian, the Great Persecution, and the Conversion of Constantine
The Emperor Diocletian (Ruled 284-305)
Constantine (Ruled 306-337)
Chapter 11: The Christian Empire and the Imperial Church
Julian the "Apostate" (361-363)
The Dynasty of Theodosius I (379-455)
Pagans in the Christian Empire:
Christian Heretics in the Christian Empire:
Jews in the Christian Empire:
Chapter 12: The Government of the Church
The Local Bishop
The Bishops in Council
The Apostolic Bishoprics
The Bishop of Rome
The Emperor
The Eastern Empire: Continuity
The Western Empire: Discontinuity
Chapter 13: The Trinitarian Controversy
Schisms
The Origins of the Trinitarian Controversy
The Holy Spirit:
The Survival of Arianism
Chapter 14: Jesus, the God/Man
Nestorianism
Monophysitism
The Council of Chalcedon (451)
PART IV: LIFE IN THE CHRISTIAN EMPIRE
Timeline for Later Christianity
Chapter 15: Worship and Piety in the Christian Empire
Liturgy
Church Buildings
Christian Time: The Liturgical Calendar
The Holy Dead
Pilgrimage
Chapter 16: The Ascetic Movement
Anthony (about 251-356)
Pachomius (290-345)
Basil of Caesarea (about 339-379)
Monasticism in the West
Benedict of Nursia (about 480-about 545)
Criticism of Ascetics
The Impact of Asceticism Within Christianity
A Case Study: Clergy, Laity and Sexual Activity
Marriage of the Clergy before The Fourth Century:
Marriage of the Clergy after The Fourth Century:
Chapter 17: Fourth- and Fifth-Century Christian Thinkers
Ambrose (339-397)
Jerome (about 347-419)
Gregory of Nyssa (between 331 and 340-about 395)
Augustine of Hippo (354-430)
Manichaeans:
Donatists:
Pelagius (about 350-about 425):
Pagans:
Chapter 18: Conversion and Christianization
Conversion before the Fourth Century
Conversion after Constantine
Christianization after Constantine
Conversion in Hard Times:
The Eastern Empire
The Western Empire
The Conversion of the Franks
Conversion outside the Empire's Borders:
Armenia
Axum/Ethiopia
Ireland
Summary:
Chapter 19: The Eastern and Western Churches Go Their Separate Ways
Bishop Gregory of Tours (573-593/594)
Pope Gregory I the Great (590-604)
John the Almsgiver, Patriarch of Alexandria (610-about 619)
Chapter 20: Epilogue: Muhammad and Islam
Credits:
Index:

About the Author

Joe R. Engle Designated Professor of the History of Christianity, Department of History, The Ohio State University

Reviews

"A fine introduction to early Christianity...This is a valuable and ably executed introductory textbook."--Religious Studies Review