Features
- Cover Type: Paperback with 508 pages
- Published by: HarperOne October 25, 2005
- Written in: English
- ISBN 10 Number: 0060816104
- ISBN 13 Number: 978-0060816100
-
Book Dimensions:
8.7 x 6 x 1.1 inches
- Weighs: 1.6 pounds
From Publishers Weekly
Joining an already distinguished lineup of narrators of early Christianity that includes Bart Ehrman, John Dominic Crossan and Gregory Riley, White contributes this rather predictable and pedantic story of the ways in which early Christianity developed its religious identity and its literature (the New Testament). White, who teaches Christian origins at the University of Texas at Austin and who co-wrote the PBS special
From Jesus to Christ, chronicles the evolution of early Christianity as a family history. The first "generation" (30–70 C.E.) saw the death of Jesus, the rise of Paul and the end of the Jewish revolt against Rome. In the second (70–110 C.E.), tensions developed between the Jesus sect and Judaism, a separation that became permanent in the third generation (110–150 C.E.), when Jesus' followers broke away from their Jewish roots and began to develop their own institutional identity and intrareligious squabbles. Finally, by the fourth generation (150–190 C.E.), Christianity had assumed an integral role in the social and intellectual context of the Roman Empire. White uses sidebars to provide helpful summaries of the authorship, provenance, date and themes of various writings and to offer useful lists of further readings. However, his bland presentation uncovers nothing especially new in the story of early Christianity.
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--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Product Review
"A splendid feast of a book, rich with insights from archaeology and cultural history." --
Wayne A. Meeks, Woolsey Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies, Yale University Wayne A. Meeks, Woolsey Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies, Yale University
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Reader Reviews
This review is from: From Jesus to Christianity: How Four Generations of Visionaries & Storytellers Created the New Testament and Christian Faith (Hardcover)
I received a preview copy of this just-published book from the publisher. Ignore the opening remarks by Publisher's Weekly (they show a lack of depth and understanding) - this great book is for everyone from religious scholars to the curious amongst us. The book provides historical and cultural context for a group of books we today call The Bible. You will gain appreciation and understanding of the religion and of the Jesus movement whether you are a practicing Christian or an interested historian. Whereas Dan Brown's Da Vinci code weaves some interesting fiction, L.M. White's book gives us a tangible explanation for how Christianity grew from a Jewish offshoot movement into one of the world's great religions. Fascinating reading for anyone interested in history, religion or politics.
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