Overview
The first of the nine volume Cambridge History of Christianity series, Origins to Constantine provides a comprehensive overview of the essential events, persons, places and issues involved in the emergence of the Christian religion in the Mediterranean world in the first three centuries. Over thirty essays written by scholarly experts trace this dynamic history from the time of Jesus through to the rise of Imperial Christianity in the fourth century. It provides thoughtful and well-documented analyses of the diverse forms of Christian community, identity and practice that arose within decades of Jesus's death, and which through missionary efforts were soon implanted throughout the Roman Empire. Origins to Constantine examines the distinctive characteristics of Christian groups in each geographical region up to the end of the third century, while also exploring the development of the institutional forms, intellectual practices and theological formulations that would mark Christian history in subsequent centuries.
Full Product Details
Author: Margaret M. Mitchell (University of Chicago) ,
Frances M. Young (University of Birmingham)
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Imprint: Cambridge University Press
Volume: Volume 1
Dimensions:
Width: 15.20cm
, Height: 4.40cm
, Length: 22.90cm
Weight: 1.140kg
ISBN: 9781107423619
ISBN 10: 1107423619
Pages: 790
Publication Date: 31 July 2014
Audience:
Professional and scholarly
,
College/higher education
,
Professional & Vocational
,
Tertiary & Higher Education
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: Manufactured on demand
We will order this item for you from a manufactured on demand supplier.
Reviews
'The Cambridge History of Christianity is a most ambitious project ... The full collection is intended to blend sociological, demographic, cultural, and institutional historical perspectives with the developement of worship and liturgical traditions and theological developement. Given the goal of the series, [this book] is a major success. Professor Mitchell ... and Professor Young ... have successfully combined their vast talents to edit a compendium of essays rich in detail and true to the objective of avoiding revisionist history ... This volume is a must-read for all interested in the early church. It is written for an academic or professional audience and is a required addition to any well-equipped library. While each reader will find areas where more material would be of great interest, the extensive bibliographies (ninety-two pages) provide a wealth of supplemental resources.' History and Society of Religion 'This volume is a propitious opening to the eight which will follow ... This is an important, sophisticated and intelligently edited volume which should aid and abet the student of earliest Christianity for many a year to come. Higher praise could not be bestowed upon a handbook of this kind.' Journal of Ecclesiastical History 'The utility of the Cambridge History of Christianity: Origins to Constantine lies primarily in its comprehensive treatment of discrete aspects of the early church, covering a wide range of themes, issues, persons and events. Its insightful chapters are supplemented by useful illustrations, maps, detailed bibliographies and index. Origins to Constantine is a valuable resource for the lay-person and scholar alike. While the cost of the book will be prohibitive for some, libraries and scholars able to invest in this volume and the series will yield intellectual dividends for years to come.' Studies in Religion The editors have recruited squadrons of experts, pulled their chapters into well integrated order, and themselves offered unusually useful summaries and conclusions. The treatment of traditional themes and historical Christian regions is superb, but even better is the innovative work on fresh subjects and new Christian areas of the globe. -Mark A. Noll, The Christian Century An outstanding collection of essays that chronicle the theological, intellectual, political, social, cultural, regional and global ideas and events that situate the Christian movement in the context of world events and thought. This is the first of nine volumes in what will surely be a major influence on the twenty-first century understanding of the impact of Christianity on world history and culture. -Catholic Press Association It is an ambitious and welcome undertaking...the value of this volume is considerable, for it pours forth a rich bounty of data and interpretive ideas to help scholars and students in the ongoing task of understanding the formative years in the history of Christianity. -Robert Louis Wilken, The Catholic Historical Review As a reference work this history provides what it should provide, a compendious account of early Christianity consistent with the best recent scholarship, indicating, when appropriate, matters where the state of the question is not settled. It does this in an accessible way and directs readers to further information, mostly in English, in notes and bibliographies. -Joseph W. Trigg, Christ Church, La Plata, Maryland, Church History The first volume of The Cambridge History of Christianity is highly recommended for any library but especially for theological collections. All the contributions are of the highest quality. They challenge us to rethink everything we knew about the beginnings of Christianity. -Lucien J. Richard, OMI ...inspires awe....enormous diversity of of excellent scholars....stands out from rivals by its sheer scale....provide an effective structure....identification and development of themes is thoroughly successful....deeply impressive... --Philip Jenkins The solid and deft historical scholarship evidenced throughout the volume is at the same time not insensitive to the properly theological issues and concerns at stake in the growth and development of Christianity. The editors of this collection have set the bar high for subsequent volumes. --Michael Heintz, University of Notre Dame: Religious Studies Review
'The Cambridge History of Christianity is a most ambitious project ... The full collection is intended to blend sociological, demographic, cultural, and institutional historical perspectives with the developement of worship and liturgical traditions and theological developement. Given the goal of the series, [this book] is a major success. Professor Mitchell ... and Professor Young ... have successfully combined their vast talents to edit a compendium of essays rich in detail and true to the objective of avoiding revisionist history ... This volume is a must-read for all interested in the early church. It is written for an academic or professional audience and is a required addition to any well-equipped library. While each reader will find areas where more material would be of great interest, the extensive bibliographies (ninety-two pages) provide a wealth of supplemental resources.' History and Society of Religion 'This volume is a propitious opening to the eight which will follow ... This is an important, sophisticated and intelligently edited volume which should aid and abet the student of earliest Christianity for many a year to come. Higher praise could not be bestowed upon a handbook of this kind.' Journal of Ecclesiastical History 'The utility of the Cambridge History of Christianity: Origins to Constantine lies primarily in its comprehensive treatment of discrete aspects of the early church, covering a wide range of themes, issues, persons and events. Its insightful chapters are supplemented by useful illustrations, maps, detailed bibliographies and index. Origins to Constantine is a valuable resource for the lay-person and scholar alike. While the cost of the book will be prohibitive for some, libraries and scholars able to invest in this volume and the series will yield intellectual dividends for years to come.' Studies in Religion
Author Information
Margaret M. Mitchell is Professor of New Testament and Early Christian Literature at the University of Chicago. Her many publications include Paul and the Rhetoric of Reconciliation (1993). Frances Young is a Fellow of the British Academy and received an OBE for services to Theology in 1998. She is Emeritus Professor of Theology, University of Birmingham and served as Pro-Vice-Chancellor from 1997–2002.
