Voices of Early Christianity: Documents from the Origins of Christianity

by Kevin W. Kaatz

Publisher:

Greenwood

, 2013

This fascinating resource examines the day-to-day lives of early Christians—as depicted through documented accounts of the period—from the beginning of Christianity through 325 CE.

Early Christianity drew its doctrine from a variety of sources—personal interpretation, Hebrew scriptures, and church council—yet the core ideology endured, even as the religion transitioned from being the object of persecution to becoming a legal institution in the Roman Empire. This book celebrates the voices that helped create and develop Christianity during that period.

Voices of Early Christianity: Documents from the Origins of Christianity is a collection of excerpts from significant documents from early Christian history, organized topically, then listed chronologically within each section. The author compares textual variations among the works of the apostles, as well as key themes over time, and frames the discussion for further critical thinking. Topics include sexuality, marriage, and divorce; food issues; women in early Christianity; and politics and Christianity.

Features

Visual aids, including wall paintings from the Christian catacombs and pictures of Roman architecture
A detailed chronology of early Christianity from the faith's beginning through 325 CE

Contents

Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
How to Evaluate a Primary Source
Chronology
DOCUMENTS
Early Christian Life
1. Sources for Christ Outside of the New Testament: Josephus, Antiquities 18:2–3; Tacitus, Annals 15.44; and Suetonius, Lives of the Caesars, Claudius 5.25.3–5
2. Synoptic Gospels: Selections from Matthew, Mark, and Luke
3. Baptism: Mark 16:14–16; 1 Corinthians 1:13–17; Tertullian, On Baptism, selections
4. Castration: Galatians 5:1–14; Matthew 19:8–12; Clement of Alexandria, Miscellanies 3.1; Eusebius of Caesarea, Ecclesiastical History 6.8.1–5; Canon 1 from the Council of Nicea
5. Circumcision: Genesis 17:9–14, 17:22–27; Romans 2:12–3:5, 3:28–4:17; 1 Corinthians 7:18–20; Galatians 2:1–10
6. On Eating: Leviticus 11:1–47; Acts 10:9–17; 1 Corinthians 8:1–13
7. Eucharist: Mark 14:16–26; Luke 22:13–22; Didache 9–10; Justin Martyr, First Apology, 65–66
8. Marriage: Genesis 1:24–30; Genesis 2:15–24; 1 Corinthians 7:1–17, 7:24–40
9. Divorce: Deuteronomy 24:1–4; Mark 10:2–12; Matthew 5:27–32; Luke 16:18; Tertullian, Against Marcion 4.34
10. Remarriage: Matthew 22:23–33; Tertullian, To His Wife, Letter 1
11. The End Times: 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18; Revelation 1:1–20, 2:18–29, 8:1–9:16
12. Resurrection: Scenes from the Christian Catacombs
The Church
13. Church Offices: Apostles, Prophets, and Teachers: 1 Corinthians 12:28–14:19; Didache 11–13
14. Marriage of Apostles and Priests: 1 Corinthians 9:1–6; 1 Timothy 3:1–5; Matthew 8:10–15; Clement of Alexandria, Miscellanies 3.6.52–53; Council of Elvira, Canon 33; Nicene Creed, Canon 3
15. Acceptable Readings: Muratorian Canon
16. Acceptable Readings: Eusebius of Caesarea, Ecclesiastical History 3.24–25
17. Catacombs of Rome
18. The Nicene Creed
19. The Canons from the Council of Nicea (325 ce)
Early Christian Women
20. Menstruation: Leviticus 15:19–33; Mark 5:25–34; Dionysius, Epistle to Bishop Basilides, Canon II
21. Women Martyrs: Passion of Perpetua and Felicitas 6
22. Women as Deaconesses: Romans 16:1–16; 1 Timothy 2:5–15; Didascalia 16
23. Virginity: Cyprian, On the Dress of Virgins, selections
24. Women Prophets: Hippolytus, Refutation against Heresies 8.12; Eusebius, Church History 5.16.1–22
25. Rules for Widows: 1 Timothy 5:3–16; Didascalia 15, selections
Conflicts of the Early Church
26. Epistle of Barnabas 11–12
27. Ignatius, Anti-Judaism: Excerpts from His Letter to the Philadelphians and Magnesians
28. Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho, a Jew
29. Irenaeus, Against Heresies, preface, and Against Heresies 1.10.1–2
30. Tertullian, Against Marcion 1:1–2
31. Origen, Against Celsus, selections
32. Alexander of Alexandria, Catholic Epistle
33. Athanasius, Discourse One against the Arians 1:1–4
34. A Manichaean Psalm: Manichaean Psalm Book, Part 2, pp. 9–11
35. Mani, Foundation Letter
Persecution
36. The Martyrdom of Polycarp, excerpts
37. Martyrdom: Cyprian, Epistle 8
38. Lactantius, On the Deaths of the Persecutors, excerpts
39. The Edict of Milan: Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History 10.5; Lactantius, On the Deaths of the Persecutors 48
Church and Politics
40. Church and State: Justin Martyr, First Apology, excerpts
41. Conversion of Constantine: Lactantius, On the Deaths of the Persecutors 44; Eusebius, Life of Constantine 1:28–31
42. Arch of Constantine: Dedication on the Arch of Constantine
Appendix 1: Biography
Appendix 2: Glossary
Bibliography
Bibliography of Websites
Index

Praise for Voices of Early Christianity

A thoughtful guide to the beginnings of a complex religion, this volume is recommended for high school and academic libraries with an interest in Christian history. Appropriate for circulating collections.

The issues that Kaatz discusses resonate strongly today just as they did when they were first created. Kaatz cuts to the heart of what could be an unwieldy subject and provides excellent context and explanations on all the issues he discusses. Readers interested in bettering their understanding of the functions of the Christian religion and the Catholic Church will learn much from the questions and discussions within this volume.

This is a wonderful introduction into the writings of early Christianity edited by Kevin W. Katz. . . . This book is highly recommended to those studying the writings of early Christianity and is recommended to public, academic, and theological libraries.

Product Details

• Title: Voices of Early Christianity: Documents from the Origins of Christianity
• Author: Kevin W. Kaatz
• Publisher: Greenwood
• Print Publication Date: 2013
• Logos Release Date: 2024
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Ebook
• ISBN: 9798216162544
• Resource ID: LLS:9798216162544
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-04-12T10:22:49Z

About the Author

Kevin W. Kaatz, PhD, is lecturer at California State University, East Bay Campus, Hayward, CA.