Should parents be revered, honored and obeyed? Did Jesus obey his parents? Did early Christians act towards their parents in ways that would have earned them the admiration or scorn of their neighbors? What characteristics were typical off family life in the early church?
Typical studies of marriage and family life in early Christianity focus on the very limited evidence found in Scripture. Balla gathers the research of experts from a variety of disciplines--from archaeology to ancient history--to paint a broader, richer picture of the first Christian families. By exploring the nature of households in the ancient Greco-Roman world, this illuminating study presents a new understanding of ancient Christian domestic life that is both compelling and instructive.
Divided into six parts, the book covers key aspects of ancient family life, from meals and child-rearing to women's roles and the lives of slaves. Three concluding chapters explore the implications of the research for theological education today.
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edition.
Typical studies of marriage and family life in early Christianity focus on the very limited evidence found in Scripture. Balla gathers the research of experts from a variety of disciplines--from archaeology to ancient history--to paint a broader, richer picture of the first Christian families. By exploring the nature of households in the ancient Greco-Roman world, this illuminating study presents a new understanding of ancient Christian domestic life that is both compelling and instructive.
Divided into six parts, the book covers key aspects of ancient family life, from meals and child-rearing to women's roles and the lives of slaves. Three concluding chapters explore the implications of the research for theological education today.
