Category Books

Backgrounds of Early Christianity »

Authors: Everett Ferguson
ISBN-13: 9780802822215, ISBN-10: 0802822215
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Eerdmans Pub Co
Date Published: August 2003
Edition: (Non-applicable)

Author Biography: Everett Ferguson

Book Synopsis

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.

	Preface
	Acknowledgments
	Abbreviations
	General Bibliography
	Introduction: Perspectives on Parallels	1
	Political History	5
	Near East before Alexander	6
	Alexander the Great	10
	The Hellenistic Kingdoms	15
	Rome	20
	Administration of the Empire	40
	Political Connections of the New Testament	46
	Society and Culture	48
	The Roman Military	49
	Social Classes	55
	Slavery	59
	Roman Citizenship	62
	Roman Law	65
	Social Relationships	66
	Social Morality	69
	Economic Life	82
	Clothing and Appearance	96
	Entertainment	97
	Education	109
	Literature and Language	113
	Art and Architecture	137
	Clubs and Associations	142
	Hellenistic-Roman Religions	148
	Ancient Greek Religion	149
	Ancient Roman Religion	165
	Religion in Hellenistic-Roman Times: General Characteristics	173
	Domestic and Rural Religion	177
	Civic Cults	182
	Ruler Cult	199
	Personal Religion	213
	Greek Mysteries and Eastern Religions	251
	Gnosticism, Hermetic Literature, Chaldaean Oracles	300
	Later Developments: Monotheism and Sun Worship	316
	Hellenistic-Roman Philosophies	319
	Sophists and Socrates	326
	Plato and the Academy to the First Century	330
	Aristotle and the Peripatetics	338
	Skepticism	346
	Cynicism	348
	Stoicism	354
	Epicureanism	370
	Eclecticism	379
	Neopythagoreanism	382
	Middle Platonism	387
	Plotinus and Neoplatonism	391
	Judaism	396
	Jewish History, 538 B.C. to A.D 200	399
	Jews in the Early Roman Empire	427
	Jewish Literature and Other Sources in the Hellenistic and Roman Periods	431
	Parties and Sects	513
	Beliefs and Practices	537
	Organization and Institutions	562
	Christianity in the Ancient World	583
	Literary References to Christianity in Non-Christian Sources	584
	Archaeological Remains Bearing on Early Christian History	585
	Some Claimed Archaeological Remains of Early Christianity	589
	Attitudes of Pagans toward Christians	592
	The Legal Status of Christianity	601
	Hindrances to the Acceptance of Christianity	608
	Religious Rivals	609
	Factors Favorable to Christianity	616
	What Was Unique in Christianity?	619
	Index of Subjects	621
	Index of Scripture References	643
	Map of the Ancient World	650