Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
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
Synopsis
The early Chrisitian movement is traditionally studied through the eyes of early Christian writers and commentators rather than through its critics. Taking the latter approach, this book studies Christianity form the early 2nd to late 4th century through the words of pagan observers and 'outsiders' to the Christian religion. Wilken focuses in particular on the writings of Pliny the Younger, Celsus, Porphyry, Julian and Galen in an attempt to uncover the effect that their criticisms, condemnations and suspicions had on Christian doctrine. Placed within the religious traditions of the pagan Greco-Roman world, this is an illuminating study of the evolution of the early Christian message.