After the First Urban Christians: The Social-Scientific Study of Pauline Christianity Twenty-Five Years Later

This year marks the twenty-five anniversary of the publication of The First Urban Christians by Wayne A. Meeks. In this now-classic work Meeks examined the socio-historical context of Pauline Christianity through the lens of Paul's letters. After The First Urban Christians, edited by Todd D. Still and David G. Horrell, is a collection of seven essays written by established scholars, plus an epilog authored by Meeks himself, that revisits and updates Meeks's landmark volume. Furthermore, After The First Urban Christians offers fresh lines of inquiry for the future study of Paul and his churches in their social setting.

Introduction-The editors Chapter One: The use of theories and models from the social sciences-David G. Horrell (University of Exeter, UK) Chapter Two: The urban environment of Pauline Christianity-Peter Oakes (University of Manchester, UK) Chapter Three: The social level of Pauline Christians-Bruce Longenecker (University of St. Andrews, UK) Chapter Four: Formation of the ekklesia-Edward Adams (King's College, London, UK) Chapter Five: Governance-Todd D. Still (Baylor University, Truett Seminary, USA) Chapter Six: Ritual-Louise Lawrence (University of Exeter, UK) Chapter Seven: Patterns of belief and patterns of life-Dale B. Martin (Yale University, USA) Chapter Eight: Epilogue: Retrospect and prospect-Wayne A. Meeks (Yale University, Emeritus, USA) Conclusion- The editors