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Backgrounds of early Christianity / Everett Ferguson.

By: Material type: TextPublication details: Grand Rapids, Mich. : William B. Eerdmans Pub., c2003.Edition: 3rd edDescription: xxii, 648 p. : ill., 1 map ; 25 cmISBN:
  • 0802822215
Subject(s): LOC classification:
  • BR129  .F47 2003
Contents:
Contents:
Introduction : perspectives on parallels -- Political history. Near East before Alexander ; Alexander the Great ; The Hellenistic kingdoms ; Rome ; Administration of the empire ; Political connections of the New Testament -- Society and culture. The Roman military ; Social classes ; Slavery ; Roman citizenship ; Roman law ; Social relationships ; Social morality ; Economic life ; Clothing and appearance ; Entertainment ; Education ; Literature and language ; Art and architecture ; Clubs and associations -- Hellenistic-Roman religions. Ancient Greek religion ; Ancient Roman religion ; Religion in Hellenistic-Roman times : general characteristics ; Domestic and rural religion ; Civic cults ; Ruler cult ; Personal religion ; Greek mysteries and Eastern religions ; Gnosticism, hermetic literature, Chaldaean oracles ; Later developments : monotheism and sun worship -- Hellenistic-Roman philosophies. Sophists and Socrates ; Plato and the academy to the first century ; Aristotle and the Peripatetics ; Skepticism ; Cynicism ; Stoicism ; Epicureanism ; Eclecticism ; Neophythagoreanism ; Middle Platonism ; Plotinus and Neoplatonism -- Judaism. Jewish history, 538 B.C. to A.D. 200 ; Jews in the early Roman empire ; Jewish literature and other sources in the Hellenistic and Roman periods ; Parties and sects ; Beliefs and practices ; Organization and institutions -- Christianity in the ancient world. Literary references to Christianity in non-Christian sources ; Archaeological remains bearing on early Christian history ; Some claimed archaeological remains of early Christianity ; Attitudes of pagans toward Christians ; The legal status of Christianity ; Hindrances to the acceptance of Christianity ; Religious rivals ; Factors favorable to Christianity ; What was unique in Christianity?
Summary: Summary:Summary: "Having long served as a standard introduction to the world of the early church, Everett Fergusons Backgrounds of Early Christianity has been expanded and updated in this third edition. The book explores and unpacks the Roman, Greek, and Jewish political, social, religious, and philosophical backgrounds necessary for a good historical understanding of the New Testament and the early church. New to this edition are revisions of Fergusons original material, updated bibliographies, and fresh discussions of first-century social life, of Gnosticism, and of the Dead Sea Scrolls and other Jewish literature." -- Publisher's description.
Item type: Books
Holdings
Cover image Item type Current library Home library Collection Shelving location Call number Materials specified Vol info URL Copy number Status Notes Date due Barcode Item holds Item hold queue priority Course reserves
Judith Thomas Library General Stacks Books BR 129 .F47 2003 (Browse shelf(Opens below)) AUA017003 Available AUA017003

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

Contents:

Introduction : perspectives on parallels --
Political history. Near East before Alexander ; Alexander the Great ; The Hellenistic kingdoms ; Rome ; Administration of the empire ; Political connections of the New Testament --
Society and culture. The Roman military ; Social classes ; Slavery ; Roman citizenship ; Roman law ; Social relationships ; Social morality ; Economic life ; Clothing and appearance ; Entertainment ; Education ; Literature and language ; Art and architecture ; Clubs and associations --
Hellenistic-Roman religions. Ancient Greek religion ; Ancient Roman religion ; Religion in Hellenistic-Roman times : general characteristics ; Domestic and rural religion ; Civic cults ; Ruler cult ; Personal religion ; Greek mysteries and Eastern religions ; Gnosticism, hermetic literature, Chaldaean oracles ; Later developments : monotheism and sun worship --
Hellenistic-Roman philosophies. Sophists and Socrates ; Plato and the academy to the first century ; Aristotle and the Peripatetics ; Skepticism ; Cynicism ; Stoicism ; Epicureanism ; Eclecticism ; Neophythagoreanism ; Middle Platonism ; Plotinus and Neoplatonism --
Judaism. Jewish history, 538 B.C. to A.D. 200 ; Jews in the early Roman empire ; Jewish literature and other sources in the Hellenistic and Roman periods ; Parties and sects ; Beliefs and practices ; Organization and institutions --
Christianity in the ancient world. Literary references to Christianity in non-Christian sources ; Archaeological remains bearing on early Christian history ; Some claimed archaeological remains of early Christianity ; Attitudes of pagans toward Christians ; The legal status of Christianity ; Hindrances to the acceptance of Christianity ; Religious rivals ; Factors favorable to Christianity ; What was unique in Christianity?

Summary:


"Having long served as a standard introduction to the world of the early church, Everett Fergusons Backgrounds of Early Christianity has been expanded and updated in this third edition. The book explores and unpacks the Roman, Greek, and Jewish political, social, religious, and philosophical backgrounds necessary for a good historical understanding of the New Testament and the early church. New to this edition are revisions of Fergusons original material, updated bibliographies, and fresh discussions of first-century social life, of Gnosticism, and of the Dead Sea Scrolls and other Jewish literature." -- Publisher's description.