The First Urban Christians: The Social World of the Apostle Paul

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Yale University Press, 2003 M01 1 - 303 pages
In this classic work, Wayne A. Meeks analyzes the earliest extant documents of Christianity--the letters of Paul--to describe the tensions and the texture of life of the first urban Christians. In a new introduction, he describes the evolution of the field of New Testament scholarship over the past twenty years, including new developments in fields such as archaeology and social history.

Praise for the earlier edition:

"Many readers are likely to join me in feeling that they have never been so close to their mixed and mixed-up spiritual ancestors as Meeks helps them to be. For those who are open to the possibility that they can find fresh angles on the familiar, this book is not only recommended; it is urged."--Martin E. Marty, Christian Century

"A much-needed authoritative study."--J. L. Houlden, Times Literary Supplement

"Those with any historical bent will be intrigued by the way a story usually overlaid with thick layers of theological speculation is unraveled. . . . And those who simply have an interest in how groups form in any era . . . will be fascinated by this case study of one particular community that has ramifications for understanding all other communities."--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
 

Contents

I
vii
II
xi
III
xv
IV
xvi
V
5
VI
7
VIII
8
IX
9
XXV
82
XXVI
105
XXVII
109
XXVIII
129
XXIX
138
XXX
140
XXXI
148
XXXII
155

X
11
XI
12
XII
13
XIII
14
XIV
21
XV
23
XVI
30
XVII
38
XVIII
49
XIX
51
XX
53
XXI
61
XXII
70
XXIII
72
XXIV
73
XXXIII
160
XXXIV
162
XXXVI
163
XXXVII
169
XXXVIII
178
XXXIX
181
XL
188
XLI
191
XLII
195
XLIII
241
XLIV
277
XLV
281
XLVI
289
XLVII
295
Copyright

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About the author (2003)

Wayne A. Meeks is the Woolsey Professor Emeritus of Biblical Studies, Department of Religious Studies at Yale University. He is also the author of The Origins of Christian Morality and In Search of the Early Christians, both published by Yale University Press.

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