Ancient Christianities - by Paula Fredriksen (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

How, over the course of five centuries, one particular god and one particular Christianity came to dominate late Roman imperial politics and piety

The ancient Mediterranean teemed with gods. For centuries, a practical religious pluralism prevailed. How, then, did one particular god come to dominate the politics and piety of the late Roman Empire? In Ancient Christianities, Paula Fredriksen traces the evolution of early Christianity--or rather, of early Christianities--through five centuries of Empire, mapping its pathways from the hills of Judea to the halls of Rome and Constantinople. It is a story with a sprawling cast of characters: not only theologians, bishops, and emperors, but also gods and demons, angels and magicians, astrologers and ascetics, saints and heretics, aristocratic patrons and millenarian enthusiasts. All played their part in the development of what became and remains an energetically diverse biblical religion.

The New Testament, as we know it, represents only a small selection of the many gospels, letters, acts of apostles, and revelations that circulated before the establishment of the imperial church. It tells how the gospel passed from Jesus, to the apostles, thence to Paul. But by using our peripheral vision, by looking to noncanonical and paracanonical texts, by availing ourselves of information derived from papyri, inscriptions, and archaeology, we can see a different, richer, much less linear story emerging. Fredriksen brings together these many sources to reconstruct the lively interactions of pagans, Jews, and Christians, tracing the conversions of Christianity from an energetic form of Jewish messianism to an arm of the late Roman state.

Review Quotes

"Ancient Christianities is exactly the kind of general account of the early Christian centuries that we would expect from Paula Fredriksen: elegantly written, theologically rich, socially nuanced."---Dana Robinson, American Historical Review

"A wonderfully accessible teaching resource."---Salvador Ryan, Irish Theological Quarterly

"Ancient Christianities renders for newcomers a field that grows broader and unrulier with each passing decade. At the same time, it offers an elegant, accessible demonstration of the field's current historical methods."---Ellen Muehlberger, Bryn Mawr Classical Review

"Ancient Christianities has manifold virtues - not least its exemplary clarity of exposition and its impressive synthesis of a broad spectrum of recent specialist scholarship. . . .An admirable introduction to a range of essential aspects of the movements invoking Jesus."---Rowan Williams, Times Literary Supplement

"Ancient Christianities strikes a balance between scholarly depth and accessibility and will undoubtedly become an essential text for those teaching or engaging with the history of early Christianity."---Joseph Foltz, Ancient Jew Review

"

A masterpiece of biblical, apocryphal, andRoman research and scholarship into the history and development of the Christian movement from many different competing factions. . . . Exceptionally and impressively comprehensive.

"-- "Midwest Book Review"

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Fredriksen's book offers an updated, engaging, and essential summary account of the history of early Christianities for scholars, teachers, and students.

"---Michelle Freeman, Religion

"A fresh view of Christian Church history through its first 500 years. . . . [Fredriksen's] thoroughness as a researcher and the breadth of her lifelong experience make this book a welcomed addition to this field of study."-- "Choice Reviews"

"A masterwork of scholarly research and thought. . . . Fredriksen makes a convincing case that, whether for good or ill, these multifarious, deeply felt and often admirable 'Christianities' would never have become the global institution we now call 'Christianity' were it not for the help -- and the legalistic, organizational example -- of the Roman Empire."---Michael Dirda, Washington Post

"A well-researched, engrossing read that demonstrates why the Jewish and Christian communities went their separate ways and how Christianity not only became a spiritual practice but also a political force."-- "Library Journal"

"An important publication by one of the most prolific and influential scholars in the field. In a surprisingly small space, she gives an impressive overview of the development of early Christianity up to the end of the sixth century. The book is an enjoyable read, written in an enticing style. . . . The allure of the language and the cogency and breadth of the arguments put forward make it essential reading for scholars of the early Christ religion, Christendom, Judaic studies, the history of the ancient Greco-Roman world, historians of religion in general, as well as the intellectual public."---Anders Klostergaard Petersen, Numen

"Comprehensive. . . . From the question of religious diversity and perspectives on martyrdom, to religion as organised within Empire, Fredriksen skilfully condenses half a millennia of religious activity into an examination of the quickly changing human tapestry at the core of early life."---Megan Hughes, Redbrick Culture

"Precisely written. . . .Unique and rich in history."---Kimberly Anne, World History Encyclopedia

"Refreshing. . . . [Ancient Christianities] is inquiry-driven and reflective, concise but reasonably comprehensive; that neither presupposes a great deal of background knowledge nor sacrifices significant details, and, most importantly, frames the conversation to allow for an open dialogue about matters that may be sensitive."---Yuliya Minets, Catholic Historical Review

About the Author

Paula Fredriksen, the Aurelio Professor of Scripture Emerita at Boston University and professor emerita of comparative religion at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She is the author of When Christians Were Jews: The First Generation; From Jesus to Christ: The Origins of the New Testament Images of Jesus; Sin: The Early History of an Idea (Princeton); and other books.