The Early Christian World is a scholarly book edited by Philip F. Esler, a New Testament scholar and expert on the social and cultural context of early Christianity. The book was first published in 2000 and is a collection of essays by various experts on the early Christian world, covering a wide range of topics from the first to the eighth century AD.
The book is divided into several sections, each focusing on a different aspect of the early Christian world. The sections include:
The Social and Cultural World of Early Christianity
The Development of Early Christian Thought
The Spread and Diversity of Early Christianity
The Christianization of the Roman Empire
The Emergence of Christian Society
The Christianization of the Barbarian Kingdoms
Each essay provides a detailed examination of a specific topic within the early Christian world, drawing on a wide range of primary and secondary sources. The essays provide valuable insights into the social, cultural, religious, and political context of early Christianity, and the ways in which it interacted with and transformed the societies in which it emerged.
The Early Christian World is an informative and well-researched book that provides a comprehensive overview of the early Christian world. It is intended for scholars, students, and researchers in the field of religious studies, history, and New Testament studies, and provides a unique perspective on the early history of Christianity and its impact on the world.