The Origins of Christianity and the New Testament

by Rebecca I. Denova

Overview

In The Origins of Christianity and the New Testament, distinguished scholar Rebecca I. Denova explores how the first followers of Jesus arrived at their faith, the way their sacred texts developed into the New Testament, and how their movement eventually became the religion of Christianity. This accessible volume examines the concepts, beliefs, issues, and events that gave rise to institutional Christianity—providing readers with the historical context of the gospels of Mark, Matthew, Luke, and John, the Acts of the Apostles, the Book of Revelation, the letters of Paul, and other foundational New Testament documents.

Approaching the subject from the multidisciplinary perspective of Religious Studies, the author addresses topics including the ethnic and religious background of “Jesus the Jew,” the New Testament’s different portraits of Jesus, the genesis of Christian concepts such as the divine incarnation and “second coming” of Jesus, Paul the Apostle’s contributions to Christian dogma, how ancient Judaism, Greco-Roman culture, and early philosophy was incorporated into the Christian tradition, and more.

Containing maps, timelines, figures of archaeological sites, a brief history of ancient Judaism, and a wealth of pedagogical features, The Origins of Christianity and the New Testament is an excellent textbook for all undergraduate and graduate courses in the study of ancient Christianity, as well as lay readers with interest in tracing the roots of the Christian faith.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781119759621
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	07/21/2021
Series:	Blackwell Ancient Religions
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

REBECCA I. DENOVA is Senior Lecturer Emeritus in the Early History of Christianity at the University of Pittsburgh, where she has taught in the Department of Religious Studies for more than 25 years. Her area of expertise is in the historical exploration of the origins of Christianity within Hellenistic Judaism.

Dr Denova has travelled widely in the Mediterranean Basin, exploring archaeological sites as part of her research of the ancient world. She is the author of several books including Greek and Roman Religions.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments vii

Preface ix

I Studying the Historical Jesus 1

II The History of Israel 17

Excursus I Introduction to the Gospels 45

III The Gospel of Mark (The Apocalyptic Jesus) 51

IV The Gospel of Matthew (“The New Moses”) 71

V The Gospel of Luke (The Compassionate Jesus) 93

VI The Acts of the Apostles 109

VII The Gospel of John (“The Stranger from Heaven”) 129

Excursus II Historical Anomalies in the Trial(s) and Crucifixion in the Gospels 143

Excursus III Jesus and Women in the Gospels 153

VIII Paul, the “Apostle to the Gentiles” 161

IX Paul and the First Christians 181

Excursus IV Women in the Pauline Communities 197

X Other New Testament Documents 201

XI The Book of Revelation 213

Epilog 231

Excursus V The Legacy of Jewish–Christian Relations 235

Glossary 239

Index 259