The Religious Context of Early Christianity: A Guide to Graeco-Roman Religions

By Hans-Josef Klauck

Book Overview

Klauck's is a uniquely well-informed and comprehensive guide to the world of religion in the Graeco-Roman environment of early Christianity. Drawing on the most up-to-date scholarship, his volume paints a carefully nuanced portrait of the Christians' religious context. Besides describing ordinary domestic and civic religion and popular belief (including astrology, divination and "magic"), there is extended discussion of mystery cults, ruler and emperor cults, the religious dimensions of philosophy, and Gnosticism. An authoritative work, Klauck's will become a new standard for reference and teaching.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0800635930
• ISBN13: 9780800635930
• Release Date: May 2003
• Publisher: Fortress Press
• Length: 544 Pages
• Weight: 0.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.0" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Impressively researched and meticulously presented

The Religious Context Of Early Christianity: A Guide To Graeco-Roman Religions by Jans-Josef Klauck (Professor of New Testament and Early Christian Literature at the Divinity School of the University of Chicago) is a college-level reference to the religious practices that were common and widespread at the inception of Christianity. Ranging from examinations of antiquarian sacrificial cults; to the popular belief systems of the day in astrology and soothsaying; to the imperial cults surrounding powerful individuals, and so much more, The Religious Context Of Early Christianity is a scholarly, impressively researched, and meticulously presented reference work which is a very welcome addition to Christian Studies reading lists and historical reference collections.