Customer Reviews

In the Fullness of Time: A Historian Looks at Christmas, Easter, and the Early Church

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When I saw Paul Maier interviewed in a documentary on the life of Jesus, I searched for titles by this author, and when this book was listed, I immediately ordered it. I wasn't dissappointed.

Maier is a professor of ancient history at Western Michigan, and brings credibility and scholarship to a subject that is frequently approached with bias, often from polar perspectives. Professor Maier is one of the leading scholars on the writings of first century Jewish historian Josephus, and this book includes appropriate and informative references to this ancient source. As a student of history and an attorney, I found the book stimulating and thought provoking. However, the book most certainly does not read like a history text, and is interesting to both the historian and the person simply looking for some information on the historical context of the birth of Christ, his crucification and the biblical account of his resurrection. The book also examines the early church and the spread of Christianity. Anyone with an interest in these topics should read this work.

I very much recommend this book, and look forward to reading other works by Paul Maier.

Dr. Maier presents a readable & well-documented account of some of the major historical events of Christianity. Using both Scripture and other contemporary texts of that time period, Maier puts forth compelling evidence supporting the chronology of the events & the participants of the first Christmas, the first Holy Week, and other events. For those who think "you have to check your brain at the door to have Faith," Dr. Maier shows that a Chrsitan and a scholar can truly be the same person.

Maier is one of the significant historians of Christ and the apostles. He demonstrates his intense research into the topics by the simplicity with which he writes about them. He makes them so interesting. As an example to whet your appetite, I was astounded that there is actual historical evidence of "arrest notices" (what might in our time be "Post Office Wanted Posters) for Jesus' arrest.

What was initially three=volumes has now been published in this one, making for great reading and giving. You'll be amazed at the historicity of these events as Maier documents them for us in thorough classical research with footnotes and bibliography provided.

This is a tremendous book which provides insightful analysis based upon hard facts. If nothing else, this book will get you thinking about the practical reality of the foundations of the Biblical message. The book provides a means of evaluating various Biblical stories from a unique perspective. While true belief does not require a foundation of historical fact ( from this world, anyways ! ), I found it comforting that many of the people, places, and events described in the Bible certainly could have existed as told. One of the more interesting themes is why God chose that particular time and place of human history to bring about the completion of the Old Testament Scriptures !

Pail Maier, a expert in ancient history, has written a great book. from my understanding is that, this book was three different books now put into one. If you are a new Christian, you need this book. If you read this book as a new believer, you will have a better grasp of the background of the NT in reading this book, than going to a expositional preaching church for two years. It will lay a great foundation for your walk with the living Christ. If you a long time believer, and have not read this book, you should, for it will open your eyes, to the NT. Dr. Maier goes into the Christmas story, Easter Sunday and the early church. Great book.

Paul Maier is a truly gifted lecturer. I've had the pleasure of watching two of his videos and if I lived anywhere near Western Michigan University, I'd sneak into the back of his classroom (he is a member of the history faculty there) on a regular basis - he has a gift for making the First Century A.D. accessible.

"In the Fullness of Time" continues this tradition. Maier has basically consolidated 3 other books into one larger volume (with a few changes) and he discusses the first Christmas, the first Easter and the ministries of the early Apostles, especially Paul and Peter.

Maier does a great job of bringing actual documentation that supports the stories of Christmas, Easter and the Book of Acts. He includes the works of Roman and Jewish historians, explains Roman and Jewish religious and political practices and deals with alternate theories that have been proposed. While this could be dry reading, Maier makes it lively and this volume reads more like a novel than a textbook.

So, who is this book for? If you are a well-read Christian who has looked into many of the facts that back the New Testament as it is written on your own, you won't find much new ground covered in this book. The internet has lots of this information scattered about. However, you are unlikely to find sources as concise and as well-written as this one. Plus, if you are interested in further research, it is well-documented with tons of footnotes.

If you are a new Christian or are newly interested in the history behind Christianity, this is a powerful introduction.

I give this one a grade of "A"

Maybe it's because I enjoy reading historical literature... or maybe I am facinated by the notion the Gospel accounts are historical in nature. Paul Maier has done a wonderful job combining backround historical context, archeological artifacts, and a clear logical approach into a credible and refreshing look at what is was like to: experience the first Christmas, the first Easter, and what it was like for the early Christians after the resurrection. This is surprisingly enjoyable read.

"In The Fullness of Time" is an updated version of a trilogy on early Christianity written by the historian Paul L. Maier. Part I covers the Christmas story, Part II covers Easter, and Part III takes readers from Pentacost to Nero's persecutions. I had previously read and enjoyed a number of Maier's fictional works and I had high expectations for this non-fiction work. I was not disappointed.
The book is a fast read and the author kept my interest. Each section was concise though informative. Information about the region's climate and background stories of some of the key players helped flesh out the familiar story. The book also contains numerous photographs to help the reader visualize the places the author is writting about. Maier avoids sensationally radical theories or over-literalism that mar many works on the same subject. Overall, an enjoyable book about the rise of Christianity.

Maier does a good job putting Christmas and Easter into their appropriate historical contexts. Lots of good information that helps to place both into perspective.

The third part of the book, on the early church, is not as well done. There is less historical and archaelogical information brought into play. It was still pretty good, just not as good as the first two sections.

Still, I would recommend this book as one to help build a foundation.

Excellent book that is being used as a supplement for our bible study. Good resource. Came promptly and in good condition.