"From ancient records, Dr. Angus reconstructs a vivid picture of that magnificent civilization contemporaneous with the founding of the Christian church, with the result that a more significant conception of the faith we know today emerges from his study of the rich intellectual and spiritual currents of the pagan world as they aided or opposed or modified the struggling young religion from the East."--Publisher's note.

Background becomes foreground in Moyer Hubbard's creative introduction to the social and historical setting for the letters of the Apostle Paul to churches in Asia Minor and Europe. Hubbard begins each major section with a brief narrative featuring a fictional character in one of the great cities of that era. Then he elaborates on various aspects of the cultural setting related to each particular vignette, discussing the implications of those venues for understanding Paul's letters and applying their message to our lives today. Addressing a wide array of cultural and traditional issues, Hubbard discusses: • religion and superstition • education, philosophy, and oratory • urban society • households and family life in the Greco-Roman world This work is based on the premise that the better one understands the historical and social context in which the New Testament (and Paul's letters) was written, the better one will understand the writings of the New Testament themselves. Passages become clearer, metaphors deciphered, and images sharpened. Teachers, students, and laypeople alike will appreciate Hubbard's unique, illuminating, and well-researched approach to the world of the early church.

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Offers an introduction to the basic beliefs, practices, and major deities of Greek and Roman religions A volume in the Blackwell Ancient Religions, Greek and Roman Religions offers an authoritative overview of the region’s ancient religious practices. The author—a noted expert in the field—explores the presence of divinity in all aspects of ancient life and highlights the origins of myth, religious authority, institutions, beliefs, rituals, sacred texts, and ethics. Comprehensive in scope, the text focuses on myriad aspects that constitute Greco-Roman culture such as economic class, honor and shame, and slavery as well as the religious role of each member of the family. The integration of ethnic and community identity with divine elements are highlighted in descriptions of religious festivals. Greek and Roman Religions presents the evolution of ideas concerning death and the afterlife and the relation of death to concepts of ultimate justice. The author also offers insight into the elements of ancient religions that remain important in our contemporary quest for meaning. This vital text: Offers a comprehensive review of ancient Greek and Roman religions and their institutions, beliefs, rituals, and more Examines how the Roman culture and religions borrowed from the Greek traditions Explores the ancient civilizations of the Mediterranean Basin Contains suggestions at the end of each chapter for further reading that include both traditional studies and more recent examinations of topical issues Written for students of ancient religions and religious studies, this important resource provides an overview of the ancient culture and history of the general region as well as the basic background of Greek and Roman civilizations.

Kwame Bediako examines the question of Christian identity in the context of the Greco-Roman culture of the early Roman Empire. He then addresses the modern African predicament of quests for identity and integration. Theology and Identity was one of the finalists for the 1992 HarperCollins Religious Book Award.

Muhammad Hedayetullah has spent much of his life and career studying the religions of the world, and he has come to a very simple but informed conclusion: all world religions are basically the same. Certainly, they are spread across separate geographical areas. Yes, the deities of different religions are called by different names. And yet, there is a unity of purpose among them all. Unity and Diversity in World's Living Religions is one man's educated journey through the religions of the world. By focusing on the living religions of today, he has derived a conclusive level of similarity underlying every culture known to modern man. From the deities worshipped by Hinduism, to Confucianism and even Christianity, all cultures seek a connection with a higher power for strength, guidance, and love. Hedayetullah's conclusions are remarkable in this day and age, especially with religious wars and prejudices based solely on the adverse beliefs of the so-called "enemy." What would the world be like if we were to realize and accept that we are all one people, under one higher power, seeking to worship together? It is not a simple feat, but it starts with a solitary insight: no matter where we are or what we believe, we are one.

Alumni directory issue, 1859-1951: v. 44, no. 4/v. 45, no. 1.