Early Christianity did not originate in a vacuum but in a world of linguistic, social, religious, and cultural richness and diversity. The twenty-two seminal essays in this volume - some previously published, some newly written - represent almost three decades of research by Troy W. Martin to understand how early Christianity developed in the ancient world. The broad-ranging investigations in these essays give attention not only to the linguistic and rhetorical features of early Christian texts, but also to the social, philosophical, physiological, and medical contexts in which these texts were written. The essays provide new understandings of early Christian conceptions of salvation and of the virtues of faith, hope and love that characterized early Christian communities. They include new medical and physiological explanations of early Christian sacraments, pneumatology, and eschatology and furthermore investigate early Christian communal life and practice, including the veiling of women, male/female relationships, and time-keeping. The essays include reception histories that describe their influence on subsequent research and place them within the context of contemporary research and scholarship. Those familiar with the well-trodden ground of New Testament studies will find in these essays new insights and previously unexplored comparative material for understanding early Christianity and the world in which it originated.

An Important Study on the Worship of the Early Church This introduction to the origins of Christian worship illuminates the importance of ancient liturgical patterns for contemporary Christian practice. Andrew McGowan takes a fresh approach to understanding how Christians came to worship in the distinctive forms still familiar today. Deftly and expertly processing the bewildering complexity of the ancient sources into lucid, fluent exposition, he sets aside common misperceptions to explore the roots of Christian ritual practices--including the Eucharist, baptism, communal prayer, preaching, Scripture reading, and music--in their earliest recoverable settings. Now in paper.

Ferdinand Christian Baur (1792-1860) has been described as "the greatest and at the same time the most controversial theologian in German Protestant theology since Schleiermacher." The controversy was epitomized by a nineteenth-century British critic who wrote that his theory "makes of Christianity a thing of purely natural origin, calls in question the authenticity of all but a few of the New Testament books, and makes the whole collection contain not a harmonious system of divine truth, but a confused mass of merely human and contradictory opinions as to the nature of the Christian religion." The contributors to this volume, however, regard Baur as an epoch-making New Testament scholar whose methods and conclusions, though superseded, have been mostly affirmed during the century and a half since his death. This collection focuses on the history of early Christianity, although as a historian of the church and theology Baur covered the entire field up to own time. He combined the most exacting historical research with a theological interpretation of history influenced by Kant, Schelling, and Hegel. The first three chapters discuss Baur's relation to Strauss, Möhler, and Hegel. Then a central core of chapters considers his historical and exegetical perspectives (Judaism and Hellenism, Gnosticism, New Testament introduction and theology, the Pauline epistles, the Synoptic Gospels, John, the critique of miracle, and the combination of absoluteness and relativity). The final chapters view his influence by analyzing the reception of Baur in Britain, Baur and Harnack, and Baur and practical theology. This work offers a multi-faceted picture of his thinking, which will stimulate contemporary discussion.

"CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY: The Christian's Ultimate Guide to Learning from the Bible" is a comprehensive exploration of Christian doctrine, offering an in-depth understanding of the essential teachings and principles of the faith. This extensive work is an invaluable resource for both seasoned theologians and those new to biblical study. In this meticulously crafted volume, readers will delve into the essence of Christianity, examining the dynamics of faith that form the bedrock of Christian belief. The book begins with a profound introduction to the core tenets of Christianity, laying a solid foundation for the intricate theological concepts that follow. The journey continues through the complex realm of biblical doctrine, where divine revelation, the process of inspiration, the inerrancy of Scripture, and the formation of the canon are examined with scholarly precision. Principles of biblical interpretation are explored in detail, providing readers with the tools to understand Scripture within its historical and cultural context. A significant portion of the book is dedicated to the Doctrine of God, delving into His identity, divine attributes, and the enigmatic nature of the Trinity. The book also illuminates God's law and His active role in the world, offering insightful perspectives on His interactions with humanity. The Doctrine of Christ receives thorough attention, exploring Christ's eternal existence, His miraculous birth, sinless nature, and the profound significance of the crucifixion, atonement, resurrection, and ascension. The ongoing role of Christ in heaven is also examined, highlighting His enduring influence in the Christian faith. The Holy Spirit's doctrine is not overlooked, with chapters dedicated to understanding His work, indwelling, and active role today. The Human Doctrine follows, offering an exploration of the creation of humanity, the concept of being made in God’s image, and the descent into sin. In the Doctrine of Redemption, readers will find an in-depth analysis of atonement, ransom, reconciliation, sanctification, and the multifaceted nature of salvation, including perspectives from Calvinism, Reformed Calvinism, and Arminianism. The book also ventures into Angelology, providing insights into the nature of angels and the roles of key archangels like Michael and Gabriel. The Doctrine of Satan and Demonology are addressed, shedding light on the essence, strategies, and realm of demonic forces. Ecclesiology is explored in depth, covering the origins, essence, and functions of the Church, the significance of church membership, and the dynamics of church leadership, along with an examination of first-century church administration as a model for today. Finally, the book culminates in a detailed study of Eschatology—the Doctrine of the End Times. This includes interpretations of prophecy, the signs of the end times, the Rapture, the Tribulation period, the Millennium, and the various divine judgments leading to eternal punishment or life. "CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY: The Christian's Ultimate Guide to Learning from the Bible" is a masterful blend of academic rigor and accessible writing, making it a must-have for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of Christian theology and its profound implications on personal faith and practice.

A collection of primary texts revealing how early Christians practiced their faith Life and Practice in the Early Church brings together a range of primary texts from the church's first five centuries to demonstrate how early Christians practiced their faith. Rather than focusing on theology, these original documents shed light on how early believers "did church," addressing such practical questions as, how did the church administer baptism? How were sermons delivered? How did the early church carry out its missions endeavors? Early Christian writings reveal a great deal about the tradition, as well as the wider culture in which it developed. Far from being monolithic, the documents which present the voices of the early church fathers in their own words demonstrate variation and diversity regarding how faith was worked out during the patristic period. The texts illuminate who was eligible for baptism, what was expected of worshippers, how the Eucharist was celebrated, and how church offices and their functions were organized. Contextual introductions explain practices and their development for those with little prior knowledge of Christian history or tradition. The pieces included here, all in accessible English translation, represent such sources as Justin Martyr, Tertullian, the Cappadocians, Cyril of Jerusalem, John Chrysostom, and Augustine.

A collection of primary texts revealing how early Christians practiced their faith Life and Practice in the Early Church brings together a range of primary texts from the church's first five centuries to demonstrate how early Christians practiced their faith. Rather than focusing on theology, these original documents shed light on how early believers "did church," addressing such practical questions as, how did the church administer baptism? How were sermons delivered? How did the early church carry out its missions endeavors? Early Christian writings reveal a great deal about the tradition, as well as the wider culture in which it developed. Far from being monolithic, the documents which present the voices of the early church fathers in their own words demonstrate variation and diversity regarding how faith was worked out during the patristic period. The texts illuminate who was eligible for baptism, what was expected of worshippers, how the Eucharist was celebrated, and how church offices and their functions were organized. Contextual introductions explain practices and their development for those with little prior knowledge of Christian history or tradition. The pieces included here, all in accessible English translation, represent such sources as Justin Martyr, Tertullian, the Cappadocians, Cyril of Jerusalem, John Chrysostom, and Augustine.

How might practice theories and engagement with practice contribute to and advance theological study of religion and religious life and practices? This volume explores and discusses how theological engagement with practice, theoretically as well as empirically, might profit from theories of practice developed in disciplines such as philosophy, sociology, education and organisational studies during the recent decades, but so far scarcely employed within theology. In part I, the volume unfolds key components of practice theory, especially as they have more recently been developed within sociological practice theories, reflect on their significance and potential with regard to theology. In part II, these perspectives are employed in the study of concrete religious practices - established as well as experimental religious practices, and collective as well as individual ones. By unfolding connections between theology and practice theories, and reflecting on practice theories' analytical and theoretical potential for theological study of religion, the book will be of interest for any scholar in the study of contemporary religion and practical theology.