"Professor Theissen aims to construct a sociological analysis of the world of Jesus and Palestinian communities generally. This approach to Exegesis poses fruitful new questions without "explaining" the Christian movement in a reductionist way. After spelling out the methods of this sociological approach to the Gospels, the author first looks at typical social phenomena of the times: wandering charismatics and the settled communities which received them, and the role of the Son of man in these communities. He then considers the economic, ecological, political, and cultural factors of Jewish society in Palestine and their effects on earliest Christianity. Finally, he proposes a psychoanalytic interpretation of the effects of the renewal movement of Jesus on his society." -Publisher

In the past twenty-five years, New Testament scholars have drawn on the social sciences, especially anthropology and sociology, to develop a variety of new perspectives on early Christianity. David Horrell here gathers together the classic works in this field, including essays by, for example, John Barclay, Philip Esler, Wayne Meeks, Luise Schottroff and Gerd Theissen. For each selection, David Horrell provides a short introduction and suggestions for further reading. He also provides an introduction outlining the development and future prospects of the discipline.An excellent reference and textbook for scholars and students.

Aune's comprehensive study of early Christian prophecy includes a review of its antecedents (Greco-Roman oracles, ancient Israelite prophecy, prophecy in early Judaism), a discussion of Jesus as prophet, and analyses of Christian prophetic speeches from Paul to the middle of the second century A.D.

More than fifty years ago, Walter Bauer's 'Orthodoxy and Heresy in Earliest Christianity' undercut the traditional views on the making of orthodox Christianity by arguing that in several geographic areas, heresy preceded orthodoxy. Subsequently, the ancient documents discovered at Nag Hammadi proved that early Christianity was tremendously diverse. These influences have given rise to the notion that the various gnostic interpretations are mere alternatives to more traditional interpretations of Jesus and his significance. Using a focused but broad definition of normative Christianity, Hultgren contends that such a tradition originated at the very beginnings of the Christian movements, developed, and came to dominate as the most adequate expression of Jesus' legacy. Normative Christianity - a stream as wide as the New Testament canon - forged a coherence between confession of faith and community ethos that could endure and was the basis for later orthodoxy.

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Traditionally the study of the person and work of Christ has been understood largely as an exercise in biblical exegesis or historical and doctrinal analysis. Rarely, if ever, has christology focused on the changing cultural paradigms that have deeply influenced the development of human knowledge. This unique volume by Colin Greene reverses that trend and in line with modern cultural theory explores the interfaces between successive cultural contexts and the story of Jesus. Starting with an examination of the three main interpretive approaches to Jesus -- cosmological christology, political christology, and anthropological christology -- Greene moves on to concentrate on the subtle and complex linkages between christology and the sociopolitical paradigms that have bolstered the epistemological assumptions of modernity. Greene then brings his book to a stirring close with a creative exploration into how christology might once again provide us with a Christ-centered vision of reality.

Comments on the First Edition... Those concerned with Christian beginnings will find Malherbe stimulating and incisive on the New Testament. Robert M. Gratn, Journal of Religion The author is a scholar of great learning. I found the footnotes to be extremely useful, and the challenge of the book that a new consesus has emerged is a genuine contribution to continuing debate. Robin Scroggs, Journal of the American Academy of Religion An interesting and informed introduction to an important new development in the study of earliest Christianity. - Victor P. Furnish, Perkins Journal The book constitutes a major challenge to the depictions of early Christianity - especially of the Pauline Wing in earlier scholarly work. - Howard Clark Kee, Reflection