The Christians as the Romans Saw Them
This book, which includes a new preface by the author, offers an engrossing portrayal of the early years of the Christian movement from the perspective of the Romans.

"A fascinating . . . account of early Christian thought. . . . Readable and exciting."—Robert McAfee Brown, New York Times Book Review

"Should fascinate any reader with an interest in the history of human thought."—Phoebe-Lou Adams, Atlantic Monthly

"The pioneering study in English of Roman impressions of Christians during the first four centuries A.D."—E. Glenn Hinson, Christian Century

"This gracefully written study . . . draws upon well-known sources—both pagan and Christian—to provide the general reader with an illuminating account . . . [of how] Christianity appeared to the Romans before it became the established religion of the empire."—Merle Rubin, Christian Science Monitor
1100462207
The Christians as the Romans Saw Them
This book, which includes a new preface by the author, offers an engrossing portrayal of the early years of the Christian movement from the perspective of the Romans.

"A fascinating . . . account of early Christian thought. . . . Readable and exciting."—Robert McAfee Brown, New York Times Book Review

"Should fascinate any reader with an interest in the history of human thought."—Phoebe-Lou Adams, Atlantic Monthly

"The pioneering study in English of Roman impressions of Christians during the first four centuries A.D."—E. Glenn Hinson, Christian Century

"This gracefully written study . . . draws upon well-known sources—both pagan and Christian—to provide the general reader with an illuminating account . . . [of how] Christianity appeared to the Romans before it became the established religion of the empire."—Merle Rubin, Christian Science Monitor
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The Christians as the Romans Saw Them

The Christians as the Romans Saw Them

by Robert Louis Wilken
The Christians as the Romans Saw Them

The Christians as the Romans Saw Them

by Robert Louis Wilken

Paperback(Second Edition)

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Overview

This book, which includes a new preface by the author, offers an engrossing portrayal of the early years of the Christian movement from the perspective of the Romans.

"A fascinating . . . account of early Christian thought. . . . Readable and exciting."—Robert McAfee Brown, New York Times Book Review

"Should fascinate any reader with an interest in the history of human thought."—Phoebe-Lou Adams, Atlantic Monthly

"The pioneering study in English of Roman impressions of Christians during the first four centuries A.D."—E. Glenn Hinson, Christian Century

"This gracefully written study . . . draws upon well-known sources—both pagan and Christian—to provide the general reader with an illuminating account . . . [of how] Christianity appeared to the Romans before it became the established religion of the empire."—Merle Rubin, Christian Science Monitor

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780300098396
Publisher: Yale University Press
Publication date: 04/10/2003
Edition description: Second Edition
Pages: 238
Product dimensions: 5.08(w) x 10.60(h) x 0.63(d)

About the Author

Robert Louis Wilken is William R. Kenan Professor of the History of Christianity at the University of Virginia. He is the author of numerous books, including The Spirit of Early Christian Thought: Seeking the Face of God, published by Yale University Press.

Table of Contents

Preface to the Second Editionix
Acknowledgmentsxiii
Introductionxv
Abbreviationsxxiii
IPliny: A Roman Gentleman1
The Making of a Roman Official2
Travels of a Provincial Governor8
A Christian Association15
Offerings of Wine and Incense25
IIChristianity as a Burial Society31
Church or Political Club?32
A Sense of Belonging35
A Bacchic Society41
An Obscure and Secret Association44
IIIThe Piety of the Persecutors48
Roman Religion and Christian Prejudice50
The Practice of Religion54
"We Too Are a Religious People"62
IVGalen: The Curiosity of a Philosopher68
Philosophy and Medicine69
Christianity as a Philosophical School72
The Practice of Philosophy77
The Arbitrary God of Christians83
VCelsus: A Conservative Intellectual94
Begging Priests of Cybele and Soothsayers95
The Deficiencies of Christian Doctrine101
Demythologizing the Story of Jesus108
An Apostasy from Judaism112
Religion and the Social Order117
VIPorphyry: The Most Learned Critic of all126
In Defense of Plato128
The Jewish Scriptures137
The Christian New Testament144
Philosophy from Oracles148
The Religion of the Emperor156
Jesus not a Magician159
An Unreasoning Faith160
VIIJulian the Apostate: Jewish Law and Christian Truth164
The Emperor's Piety166
Greek Education and Christian Values171
Against the Galilaeans176
The Tribal God of Jews and Christians179
An Apostasy from Judaism184
Epilogue197
Suggestions for Further Reading207
Index211
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