03443cam a2200445 i 4500 22320 22320 2017029358 DLC 20190522214533.0 170619s2017 mauabf b 001 0 eng c 2017029358 9780674976467 0674976460 MH/DLC eng MH rda DLC pcc BR129 .K53 2017 270.1 23 270.1 Knapp, Robert C, author. The dawn of Christianity : people and gods in a time of magic and miracles / Robert Knapp. Cambridge, Massachusetts : Harvard University Press, c2017 xvi, 303 pages, [16] pages of plates : illustrations (some color), maps ; 25 cm. "First published in the United Kingdom in 2017 by Profile Books Ltd."--Title page verso. Includes bibliographical references and index. The journey -- Polytheists, Jews and the supernatural -- Ordinary Jewish people -- The justice of Yahweh -- Polytheists in their world -- Paths to change -- Charismatics and messiahs -- Christianity in the Jewish and polytheistic world -- Hostility to Christianity -- Christianity's appeal: magicians, miracles and martyrs -- When prophecy fails -- Valedictory. Ordinary people of antiquity interacted with the supernatural through a mosaic of beliefs and rituals. Exploring everyday life from 200 BCE to the end of the first century CE, Robert Knapp shows that Jews and polytheists lived with the gods in very similar ways. Traditional interactions provided stability even in times of crisis, while changing a relationship risked catastrophe for the individual, his family, and his community. However, people in both traditions did at times leave behind their long-honored rites to try something new. The Dawn of Christianity reveals why some people in Judea and then in the Roman and Greek worlds embraced a new approach to the forces and powers in their daily lives. Knapp traces the emergence of Christianity from its stirrings in the eastern Mediterranean, where Jewish monotheism coexisted with polytheism and prayer mixed with magic. In a time receptive to prophetic messages and supernatural interventions, Jesus of Nazareth convinced people to change their beliefs by showing, through miracles, his direct connection to god-like power. The miracle of the Resurrection solidified Jesus's supernatural credentials. After his death, followers continued to use miracles and magic to spread Jesus's message of reward for the righteous in this life and immortality in the next. Many Jews and polytheists strongly opposed the budding movement but despite major setbacks Christianity proved resilient and adaptable. It survived long enough to be saved by a second miracle, the conversion of Emperor Constantine. Hand in hand with empire, Christianity began its long march through history.-- Jesus Christ Miracles. Christianity Origin. Supernatural (Theology) History To 1500. Magic Mediterranean Region History To 1500. Judaism. Polytheism. LEASED170823D LEASED170823A LEASED170822B LEASED170822A jmd CATRL BR129 lcc BOOK BR 129 .K53 2017 0 0 lcc 0 0 Books AUA.1 AUA.1 GS 2019-05-22 Library of the Year Awards 2018 20.00 AUA25078 1 BR 129 .K53 2017 AUA25078 2026-08-25 12:05:04 2026-08-21 20.00 2019-05-22 BOOK 0 0 lcc 0 0 Books AUA.1 AUA.1 GS 2019-05-22 Library of the Year Awards 2018 20.00 AUA25079 BR 129 .K53 2017 AUA25079 2019-05-22 00:00:00 2 20.00 2019-05-22 BOOK