Documents of the Rise of Christianity
Ebook
An introduction to the history of early Christianity, this reference provides roughly 60 primary source documents from the first five centuries of the Christian Era, each accompanied by explanatory material.
Christianity has been one of the most powerful influences on world history, and for this reason the world of the early Christians figures prominently in film, fiction, and popular culture. The first centuries of Christianity provided the foundation for the faith institutions of today; this book examines the history of early Christianity through its use of primary texts written by early Christians. In doing so, it helps readers to understand that multiple sects of Christianity competed for dominance, and it sheds light on the struggles of early Christians that their differences entailed.
The book covers the first five centuries of the Christian Era, with sections devoted to each century. Some 60 primary source documents appear within those sections, and each is accompanied by background information. This chronological arrangement helps readers to understand how Christianity evolved over time, and it provides insights into the theological debates and persecutions that marked the lives of early Christians and characterized the early Church.
An introduction to the history of early Christianity, this reference provides roughly 60 primary source documents from the first five centuries of the Christian Era, each accompanied by explanatory material.
Offers a guide that helps readers to understand how to study primary documents critically
Provides an introduction of the history of the early Christian Church
Highlights a timeline of key events in the early history of Christianity
Features sections on the first five centuries of the Christian Era that encompass primary source documents, accompanied by headnotes and suggestions for further reading
Preface
Evaluating and Interpreting Primary Documents
Chronology
Introduction
Chapter 1 First Century
Introduction
1. The Thanksgiving Psalms, Dead Sea Scrolls
2. Some Accounts of the Crucifixion of Jesus from the New Testament (Mark and Luke)
3. Anti-Jewish Texts from the New Testament, New Revised Standard Version
4. Suetonius, The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Life of Nero, 34–37
5. Josephus, Jewish Wars, 5.11.1–2, 4–5
6. Josephus, Jewish Wars, 5.5.4–6: A Description of the Temple Holy of Holies
7. Eusebius, Church History, 3.17–20 on Domitian and Roman History, by Cassius Dio, 67.14, 1–3
Chapter 2 Second Century
Introduction
8. Clement of Rome, The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians, 1–9
9. Epistle of Barnabas, 1–4
10. Shepherd of Hermas, Book 2, Chapter 1–4
11. Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho, 1–2, 8–9
12. Tertullian, To the Martyrs
13. Tertullian, On Prayer, 2–8
14. Tatian, Diatessaron
15. Clement of Alexandria, On the Salvation of the Rich Man, Chapters 1–5
16. Irenaeus, Against Heresies, Preface 1–3 and Book 3.1–3.2
17. The Passion of the Scillitan Martyrs
18. The Gospel According to Peter
Chapter 3 Third Century
Introduction
19. Against Celsus by Origen, 1.38–41
20. Origen, Against Celsus II (on the resurrection of the body), 5.14, 18–19, 23
21. Cyprian, Letter 35: To the Clergy, Concerning the Care of the Poor and Strangers and Letter 36: To the Clergy, Bidding Them Show Every Kindness to the Confessors in Prison
22. Cyprian, Letter 26: To the Lapsed and Letter 53: To Cornelius, Concerning Granting Peace to the Lapsed
23. Pontius the Deacon, The Life and Passion of Cyprian, Bishop and Martyr, 1, 14–19
24. Julius Africanus (spurious), The Passion of St. Symphorosa and Her Seven Sons
25. Gregory the Wonderworker, The Oration and Panegyric Addressed to Origen, Argument 6
26. Gregory the Wonderworker, Canonical Letter (Canon 1–2 and 6–10)
27. Alexander of Lycopolis, Against the Manichaeans
Chapter 4 Fourth Century
Introduction
28. Eusebius of Caesarea, Church History, The Plan of the Work
29. Eusebius of Caesarea, Church History, 8.1–3 and 8.12
30. Selections of Letters from Arius, Theodoret, Church History, Book 1 Chapter 4; Athanasius, On the Synods, 16 and Sozomen, Church History, 2.27
31. Hilary of Poitiers, On the Councils, 1–10 and 91–92
32. Lactantius, On the Anger of God, 1, 4–5, 16
33. Lactantius, On the Deaths of the Persecutors, 1–4, 7
34. Eusebius of Caesarea, Church History, Book 10.1–3 and 10.9
35. Constantine on the Donatists, Taken from Eusebius, Church History, 10.5.18–24 and Optatus of Milevius, On the Schism of the Donatists, Appendix 3 and 9
36. Emperor Julian, Against the Galileans
37. Ambrose, Letter 22
38. Augustine, Against Fortunatus the Manichaean, Book 2.19–22
39. Augustine, Confessions, Chapter 1.1–3 and 5.3.3–6
40. Augustine, Letter 28 to Jerome
41. Jerome, The Perpetual Virginity of Blessed Mary, Against Helvidius, 1; 20–24
42. The Synodical Letter, Second Ecumenical Council 381 CE
Chapter 5 Fifth Century
Introduction
43. Socrates Scholasticus, Church History, 1.1; 1.5–6
44. Theodoret of Cyrrhus, Church History, Prologue and 1.1
45. Theodoret, Church History, Book 1.5 The Letter of Eusebius, Bishop of Nicomedia, to Paulinus, Bishop of Tyre
46. Helena, the Mother of Constantine, in Eusebius of Caesarea, Life of Constantine, 3.30–32 and Sozomen, Church History, 2.1
47. Canons of Chalcedon, 1–2, 4, 7–8, 10, 15–16, 18, 23, 28
48. Leo the Great, Letter 4
49. Leo the Great, Letter 16
50. Leo the Great, Letter to Augusta Pulcheria, Letter 31
51. Leo the Great's Letters on the Manichaeans, Letter 7
Bibliography
Index
Recommended. Lower- and upper-division undergraduates; general readers.
An excellent addition to any theology or religion collection related to Christian primary source studies.
- Title: Documents of the Rise of Christianity
- Author: Kevin W. Kaatz
- Publisher: ABC-CLIO
- Print Publication Date: 2019
- Logos Release Date: 2024
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Ebook
- ISBN: 9798216075790
- Resource ID: LLS:9798216075790
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-04-11T17:41:06Z
Kevin W. Kaatz is assistant professor of ancient history at California State University, East Bay Campus. He specializes in Roman history and the digital humanities.