Bibliograph

Destroyer of the gods, early Christian distinctiveness in the Roman world, Larry W. Hurtado

Type

Label

Destroyer of the gods, early Christian distinctiveness in the Roman world, Larry W. Hurtado

Language

eng

Bibliography note

Includes bibliographical references and indexes

Illustrations

maps

Index

index present

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

Destroyer of the gods

Nature of contents

bibliography

Oclc number

950202343

Responsibility statement

Larry W. Hurtado

Sub title

early Christian distinctiveness in the Roman world

Summary

Unlike nearly all other religious groups, Christianity utterly rejected the traditional gods of the Roman world. Christianity also offered a new and different kind of religious identity, one not based on ethnicity. Christianity was distinctively a "bookish" religion, with the production, copying, distribution, and reading of texts as central to its faith, even preferring a distinctive book-form, the codex. Christianity insisted that its adherents behave differently: unlike the simple ritual observances characteristic of the pagan religious environment, embracing Christian faith meant a behavioral transformation, with particular and novel ethical demands for men. Unquestionably, to the Roman world, Christianity was both new and different, and, to a good many, it threatened social and religious conventions of the day

Table Of Contents

Early Christians and Christianity in the eyes of non-Christians -- A new kind of faith -- A different identity -- A "bookish" religion -- A new way to live

Target audience

adult

Classification