Judaism and Christianity in First-Century Rome (Studying the Historical Jesus) [Paperback]

Mr. Karl Paul Donfried (Editor), Mr. Peter Richardson (Series Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0802842658 | ISBN-13: 978-0802842657 | Publication Date: August 1, 1998

Judaism and Christianity in the first century is a broad, but also immensely important, subject. This collection of eleven papers is the mature product of the five-year work of the Seminar on New Testament Texts in Their Cultural Environment sponsored by the Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas. Wide-ranging in subject matter and deep in scholarship, this volume includes archaeological and epigraphic contributions, social and historical contributions, and developmental studies. Written by leading scholars in the field, these essays elucidate more precisely the social, historical, and religious character of Judaism and Christianity in first-century Rome.

Product Details

• Paperback: 344 pages
• Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. (August 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802842658
• ISBN-13: 978-0802842657
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,384,043 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Scholarly articles develop historical context, May 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Judaism and Christianity in First-Century Rome (Studying the Historical Jesus) (Paperback)

The book consists of a several scholarly articles from various authors concerned with aspects of Judaism and Christianity in the city of Rome during the first century. Each article can be read independently of the others but are grouped into three categories (archeological & epigraphic, social-historical, and developmental studies) which form parts I, II, and III of the book.

Un-translated Greek words and phrases are occasionally used throughout some articles and a few untranslated German sentences are quoted here and there. Thus the authors assume a scholarly background for their audience. However, even in those articles where this occurs the main gist of the ideas can be ascertained by those unfamiliar with Greek (though a rudimentary understanding would be helpful). The occasional untranslated German sentence (perhaps three or four in the whole book) are not essential and thus should not be a deterrent to those who don't read German. Some articles also assume familiarity with the early Christian writings of I Clement and The Shepherd of Hermas. But again, the articles making this assumption can still be understood by those unfamiliar with those works.

The book cannot be considered "spiritual." The articles are of a historical nature and are written for those interested in understanding the context in which Christianity developed in the city of Rome during the first-century. It could easily be read by a non-Christian historian interested in the influences upon and by Judaism and Christianity during this era in Rome.

I found the articles "Jewish and Christian Families in First Century Rome" and "Social Perspectives on Roman Christianity during the Formative Years from Nero to Nerva: Romans, Hebrews, 1 Clement" particularly interesting. They provide an understanding of the life-context of the members of the early Roman church and gives perspective to Paul's letter to the Romans.