
Pagan Rome and the Early Christians
Stephen Benko(Author)
Indiana University Press
Published on 22. July 1986
Book
Paperback/Softback
192 pages
978-0-253-20385-4 (ISBN)
Description
As perceived by the average Roman citizen, the early rites and behavior of Christians laid them open to charges of cannibalism, immorality, and the practice of magic and conspiring and fomenting rebellion aganst the state.
The early church fathers rejected these accusations and portrayed pagans as victims of misinformation or perpetrators of ill will. Benko proposes to give the pagans the benefit of the doubt and analyzes their charges against Christianity under the premise that they may have been right within the context of the times. He has provided a persuasively argued and refreshing-if controversial-perspective on the confrontation of the pagan and early Christian worlds.
The early church fathers rejected these accusations and portrayed pagans as victims of misinformation or perpetrators of ill will. Benko proposes to give the pagans the benefit of the doubt and analyzes their charges against Christianity under the premise that they may have been right within the context of the times. He has provided a persuasively argued and refreshing-if controversial-perspective on the confrontation of the pagan and early Christian worlds.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Bloomington, IN
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 231 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 13 mm
Weight
331 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-253-20385-4 (9780253203854)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Stephen Benko
Content
Preface
Abbreviations
I. The Names and Its Implications
II. Portrait of an Early Christian
III. The Charges of Immorality and Cannibalism
IV. The Kiss
V. Magic and Early Christianity
VI. Pagan Criticism of Christian Theology and Ethics
Summary
Bibliography
Index
Abbreviations
I. The Names and Its Implications
II. Portrait of an Early Christian
III. The Charges of Immorality and Cannibalism
IV. The Kiss
V. Magic and Early Christianity
VI. Pagan Criticism of Christian Theology and Ethics
Summary
Bibliography
Index