
The Rise of Christianity
History, Documents, and Key Questions
Kevin W. Kaatz(Author)
ABC-CLIO (Publisher)
Published on 7. December 2015
Book
Hardback
248 pages
978-1-61069-807-8 (ISBN)
Description
An outstanding resource for high school readers and first-year college students, this book explores early Christianity from its beginnings in the first century through the fourth century when Christianity went from a persecuted faith to the only legalized faith in the Roman Empire.
How did Christianity become one of the most widespread religions as well as one of the most influential forces in world history that has shaped politics, wars, literature, art, and music on every continent? This book contains more than 40 entries on various topics in early Christianity, 15 primary documents, and 6 argumentative essays written by scholars in the field. The breadth of materials enables readers to learn about early Christianity from a number of different viewpoints and to come to their own conclusions about how historical events unfolded in early Christianity.
This single-volume work focuses on the first four centuries of early Christianity, including topics on Jerusalem, Herod the Great, Paul, Tertullian, Mani, The Arians, Constantine the Great, and many others. Readers will be well equipped to answer three critical questions that scholars of early Christianity deal with when they study this period: Why was Christianity popular? Why were Christians persecuted? How did Christianity spread?
How did Christianity become one of the most widespread religions as well as one of the most influential forces in world history that has shaped politics, wars, literature, art, and music on every continent? This book contains more than 40 entries on various topics in early Christianity, 15 primary documents, and 6 argumentative essays written by scholars in the field. The breadth of materials enables readers to learn about early Christianity from a number of different viewpoints and to come to their own conclusions about how historical events unfolded in early Christianity.
This single-volume work focuses on the first four centuries of early Christianity, including topics on Jerusalem, Herod the Great, Paul, Tertullian, Mani, The Arians, Constantine the Great, and many others. Readers will be well equipped to answer three critical questions that scholars of early Christianity deal with when they study this period: Why was Christianity popular? Why were Christians persecuted? How did Christianity spread?
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 161 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
540 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-61069-807-8 (9781610698078)
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
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
12/2015
1st Edition
ABC-CLIO
€65.99
Available for download

E-Book
12/2015
ABC-CLIO
€65.99
Available for download
Person
Kevin W. Kaatz is assistant professor in the Department of History at California State University, East Bay Campus, Hayward, CA.
Content
Alphabetical List of Entries
Topical List of Entries
How to Use This Book
Preface
Timeline
Historical Overview
The Rise of Christianity: A-Z
Primary Source Documents
1 Thessalonians
Clement of Rome, First Letter to the Corinthians 45-49
Matthew 1:15-4:25
Ignatius, Letter to the Magnesians, Introduction
Irenaeus, Against Heresies, Book 3, Chapters 1-3
Tertullian, On Baptism, Chapters 18, 19, and 20
Cyprian, On the Unity of the Church
Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, Book 8, Chapters 2-6 (On the Persecution of Emperor Diocletian)
Origen, Against Celcus, Book 1, Chapters I-III
Ambrose, Letter 17 to Emperor Valentinian II
Augustine, Confessions, Book 1:9:14-1:11:18
Eusebius of Caesarea, Life of Constantine, Book 1, Chapters 1-7
Key Questions
Question 1: Why Were Christians Persecuted?
Question 2: How Did Christianity Spread?
Question 3: Why Was Christianity Popular?
Select Annotated Bibliography
Index
About the Author and Contributors
Topical List of Entries
How to Use This Book
Preface
Timeline
Historical Overview
The Rise of Christianity: A-Z
Primary Source Documents
1 Thessalonians
Clement of Rome, First Letter to the Corinthians 45-49
Matthew 1:15-4:25
Ignatius, Letter to the Magnesians, Introduction
Irenaeus, Against Heresies, Book 3, Chapters 1-3
Tertullian, On Baptism, Chapters 18, 19, and 20
Cyprian, On the Unity of the Church
Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, Book 8, Chapters 2-6 (On the Persecution of Emperor Diocletian)
Origen, Against Celcus, Book 1, Chapters I-III
Ambrose, Letter 17 to Emperor Valentinian II
Augustine, Confessions, Book 1:9:14-1:11:18
Eusebius of Caesarea, Life of Constantine, Book 1, Chapters 1-7
Key Questions
Question 1: Why Were Christians Persecuted?
Question 2: How Did Christianity Spread?
Question 3: Why Was Christianity Popular?
Select Annotated Bibliography
Index
About the Author and Contributors