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

by Paul L. Maier (Author) "THE first person mentioned in Luke's familiar story of Christmas was neither Mary, nor Joseph, nor shepherd, nor wise man..." (more)
Key Phrases: priestly establishment, New Testament, Pontius Pilate, Holy Spirit (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
. . . Treat yourself to an entertaining while informative text which seeks answers for many of the questions that have been asked for centuries! (Dave (Doc) Kirby Book Bits, WTBF - AM/FM )

Dr. Maier makes a faraway land seem much more accessible. (Dave (Doc) Kirby Book Bits, WTBF - AM/FM )

Dr. Maier provides a great abundance of background information, most of it fresh and stimulating. His description of places and customs, and the sheer number of interesting historical details and statistics, cannot fail to excite. (Tabernacle Bookshop London, England 20040603)

Product Description
This engaging and beautifully written narrative sheds a brilliant new light on the life of Jesus and the courageous men and women who carried His message throughout a hostile empire. Full-color photos and illustrations. (20040603)

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Kregel Publications; Rev Upd Su edition (February 3, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0825433290
• ISBN-13: 978-0825433290
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #132,068 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #21 in	Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Reference > Archaeology
  #63 in	Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Church History > Early Church

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, non-biased work by a scholar of ancient history, March 14, 2002

By	"ukcatfan" (Somerset, KY United States) - See all my reviews

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.

40 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Faith and facts -- happily together, May 11, 2000

By A Customer

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.

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy, captivating read of three important World Events, February 16, 2001

By	rodboomboom (Dearborn, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

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.