Christian Origins

Description

In Christian Origins Jonathan Knight gives a comprehensive account of the emergence of Christianity as we know it today. Beginning with the Jewish background to Jesus and his teachings, Knight examines the different factions within Judaism at the time, ultimately identifying eschatology as the common link to Jesus' teaching. Knight presents this apocalyptic agenda as the mainstay of early Christian belief, and uses this as a lens through which to view the development of the Early Church, the writings of Paul and the further growth of the Church. In examining the birth of Christianity Knight alights on such crucial and intriguing issues as the Synoptic Problem, the historical figure of Jesus and the authorship of the Pauline epistles. These widespread investigations lead him to an enlightening examination of Pauline ethics and the development of sacramental understanding and Christian ministry, propelling the book beyond a basic exegetical reflection to a breathtaking demonstration of the foundations of a major world faith.

Jonathan Knight is Research Fellow of the Katie Wheeler Trust and Visiting Fellow in New Testament and Christian Ministry at York St John University. Previous appointments include Lecturer and Research Fellow in Biblical Studies at Sheffield University, Chaplain and Research Assistant to Stephen Sykes and Chaplain of Worcester College, Oxford, UK.

"Jonathan Knight's Christian Origins will expand the horizons of anyone who reads it. He builds on his earlier work by reconstructing the origins of Christianity through to the early second century. He focuses on the 'big picture' and provides wide-ranging coverage of the historical and cultural setting, key figures and documents, and key issues. Dr Knight is a sure-footed guide to critical study of the beginnings of Christianity and his clear, readable book will be a great stimulus to students of early Christianity - and their teachers too! A fine achievement!" - Steve Walton, London School of Theology, UK -- Steve Walton "Jonathan Knight has written a fast-paced and comprehensive introduction to Christian origins. His work moves from the Old Testament through to the Gnostics. While Knight certainly has his own opinions on topics he does a very able job of introducing the viewpoints of other scholars. Christian Origins could serve as a useful textbook for students, or provide an easy-to-read introduction for those interested in exploring this topic for the first time." - Stanley Porter, President, Dean and Professor of New Testament, McMaster Divinity College, Ontario, Canada -- Stanley Porter "In Christian Origins Jonathan Knight describes the emergence of Christianity from Judaism and seeks to do justice to the character of early Christian theology. In accessible terms, he selectively but critically engages with scholarship in the Old and New Testaments, Judaism, and the history of the Church." - Bruce Chilton, Bernard Iddings Bell Professor of Religion, Bard College, New York, USA -- Bruce Chilton "This wide-ranging study of Christian origins offers a helpful introduction to the New Testament. Readers will find in this book the fruits of wide reading and a perspective on Christian origins which sets it in its wider religious context and seeks to tease out the particular characteristics which gave the religion its distinctive shape." - Christopher Rowland, Dean Ireland Professor of the Exegesis Scripture, University of Oxford, UK -- Christopher Rowland Mention -Book News, November 2008 Mention -New Testament Abstracts, Vol. 53 No. 1, 2009 "A powerful historical interpretation of early Christianity that does not have many rivals." International Review of Biblical Studies, vol. 54:2007/08 "While this book is targeted at undergraduates, any Christian would find it illuminating and have their understanding of the scriptures enriched."Hereford Diocese, Spring 2010 "Christian Origins does many things well. It traces major theological and historical developments beginning with the Bronze Age "Settlement" of Israel in the Land of Canaan and concluding with the second century C.E. rise of Gnosticism, focusing especially on Jesus and Paul. It also quickly surveys the Jewish soil out of which Christianity grew, focusing on apocalyptic expectation, different parties in Judaism (Pharisees, Sadducees, etc.), the synagogue, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and other important matters. In spite of covering so much ground, however, Knight emphasizes that this ground is not at all flat, and explores the contours and landmarks of numerous scholarly debates to show that 'our understanding of biblical history is in continual process of reassessment' (p. 20)...To offer an accessible introduction that also accounts for scholarly debates is a very difficult balance to achieve, and Knight is to be commended." -George L. Parsenios, Interpretation, July 2010 "This book ambitiously attempts a complete survey of the background and early development of the Christian religion." - Choice * Choice * "Knight's treatise provides the reader with a comprehensive overview of Christian beginnings ... his treatment of the 'Son of Man' controversy is especiallyl worthy of consideration ... While scholars will recognize the sources for Knight's opinions, they, as well as casual readers, will profit by the massive bibliographical references contained in the 100 pages of endnotes. Merely to have attempted the immense task of writing a history of Christian origins is laudable; that Knight has carried it off so well is extraordinary." Casimir Bernas, Religious Studies Review, Vol. 35 No. 1, March 2009. -- C. Bernas * Religious Studies Review *