Backgrounds of Early Christianity
Having long served as a standard introduction to the world of the early church, Everett Ferguson's 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 Ferguson's original material, updated bibliographies, and fresh...
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A textbook identifying the influences and sources within which Christianity rose, and introducing the primary sources that students will presumably study more thoroughly in subsequent courses. The earlier editions were published in 1987 and 1993. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR Church History This is a book rich in appetizers which tantalize the palate for more substantial fare. The vast scope of the book and the labor involved reflect the author's commendable erudition.This work is imaginatively and painstakingly executed.
PrefaceAcknowledgmentsAbbreviationsGeneral BibliographyIntroduction: Perspectives on Parallels1Political History5Near East before Alexander6Alexander the Great10The Hellenistic Kingdoms15Rome20Administration of the Empire40Political Connections of the New Testament46Society and Culture48The Roman Military49Social Classes55Slavery59Roman Citizenship62Roman Law65Social Relationships66Social Morality69Economic Life82Clothing and Appearance96Entertainment97Education109Literature and Language113Art and Architecture137Clubs and Associations142Hellenistic-Roman Religions148Ancient Greek Religion149Ancient Roman Religion165Religion in Hellenistic-Roman Times: General Characteristics173Domestic and Rural Religion177Civic Cults182Ruler Cult199Personal Religion213Greek Mysteries and Eastern Religions251Gnosticism, Hermetic Literature, Chaldaean Oracles300Later Developments: Monotheism and Sun Worship316Hellenistic-Roman Philosophies319Sophists and Socrates326Plato and the Academy to the First Century330Aristotle and the Peripatetics338Skepticism346Cynicism348Stoicism354Epicureanism370Eclecticism379Neopythagoreanism382Middle Platonism387Plotinus and Neoplatonism391Judaism396Jewish History, 538 B.C. to A.D 200399Jews in the Early Roman Empire427Jewish Literature and Other Sources in the Hellenistic and Roman Periods431Parties and Sects513Beliefs and Practices537Organization and Institutions562Christianity in the Ancient World583Literary References to Christianity in Non-Christian Sources584Archaeological Remains Bearing on Early Christian History585Some Claimed Archaeological Remains of Early Christianity589Attitudes of Pagans toward Christians592The Legal Status of Christianity601Hindrances to the Acceptance of Christianity608Religious Rivals609Factors Favorable to Christianity616What Was Unique in Christianity?619Index of Subjects621Index of Scripture References643Map of the Ancient World650
\ Church HistoryThis is a book rich in appetizers which tantalize the palate for more substantial fare. The vast scope of the book and the labor involved reflect the author's commendable erudition.This work is imaginatively and painstakingly executed.\ \
