The Beginnings of Christianity: An Introduction to the New Testament

Thông tin sách: The Beginnings of Christianity: An Introduction to the New Testament (Paperback, 510 trang) – T & T Clark International, 2005. Ngôn ngữ: Tiếng Anh.

To understand the historical beginnings of Christianityrequires one not only to examine the documents that the movement produced, but also toscrutinize other evidence-historical, literary, and archaeological-that can illumine thesocio-cultural context in which Christianity began and how it responded to the influencesthat derived from that setting. This involves not only analysis of the readily accessiblecontent of the relevant literary evidence, but also attention to the world-views andassumptions about reality that are inherent in these documents and other phenomena thathave survived from this period. Attention to the roles of leadership and the modes offormation of social identity in Judaism and the continuing influence of these developments as Christianity began to take shape is important for historical analysis. Distinguished New Testament scholar Kee performs such readings of the texts and communities in this dazzling study of early Christian origins. In methodological terms, the historical study of Christian Origins in all its diversity must involve three different modes of analysis: (1) epistemological, (2) sociological, and (3) eschatological. The first concerns the way in which knowledge and communication of it were perceived. The second seeks to discern the way in which the community or tradition preserving and conveying this information defined its group identity and its shared values and aims. The third focuses on the way in which the group understood and affirmed its ultimate destiny and that of its members in the purpose of God. These factors are interrelated, and features of one mode of perception strongly influence details of the others, but it is useful to consider each of them in its own category in order to discern with greater precision the specific historical features of the spectrum of facets which appear in the evidence that has survived concerning the origins of Christianity. Editorial Reviews Review 'On the whole this volume is useful as an introduction to Christian origins with significant consideration paid to sociological issues, the Jewish and Graeco-Roma context of earliest Christianity, and Christian writings outside of the New Testament.' --Sanford Lakoff "Theology "

"the clear structure of the book and its lucid writing allows the book to be accessible to a general audience."--Sanford Lakoff

"His overall list of literature relating to the development of early Christianity is comprehensive and occasionally surprising." A. Leslie Milton, The Expository Times, April 2007--Sanford Lakoff "Expository Times "

"Kee (professor emeritus, Boston Univ.; The Cambridge Companion to the Bible)has written several significant books on the New Testament. He now bringshis vast reservoir of knowledge and experience to the task of writing anintroduction to the New Testament. The result is an informative, carefullycrafted work of scholarship. Kee examines the early New Testament periodusing three different analytical methods: epistemological, sociological, andeschatological. This approach adds richness and depth to his study...recommended" - Library Journal, January 2006--Sanford Lakoff "Library Journal "

[Kee] shows considerable historical carefulness in his reconstructions while avoiding excessive philosophical intrusions. He also avoids needless technicalities in his historical expositions. This book is more historical than theological, but that is what one should expect in a standard introduction to the New Testament... Summing Up Recommended. Libraries supporting upper-level undergraduates and above in New Testament studies.--Sanford Lakoff "CHOICE "

"Kee...now brings his vast reservoir of knowledge and experience to the task of writing an introduction to the New Testament. The result is an informative, carefully crafted work of scholarship. Kee examines the early New Testament period using three different analytical methods: epistemological, sociological and eschatological. This approach adds richness and depth to his study... Best suited for graduate and seminary students, though upper-level undergraduates majoring in religious studies could benefit as well, this is recommended for academics libraries."- John Jaeger, "Dallas Baptist University Library"

'A highly accessible guide to the start of the Christian Church.' Publishing News

"read as a potpourri of exegetical, historical, and cultural insights from a long and distinguished career in NT studies, this book will be interesting and helpful to both graduate students and scholars."
Fred W. Burnett, Anderson University, Religious Studies Review About the Author Howard Clark Kee is Professor of Religion Emeritus of Graduate Studies and Religion at Boston University and is now Visiting Scholar at the University of Pennsylvania. He is author of several acclaimed books including Understanding the New Testament, The Cambridge Companion to the Bible, Miracles in the Early Christian World, and Jesus in History.