The Cambridge History of Early Christian Literature

A systematic account of Christian literature in the period c.100–c 400.

Frances Young (Edited by), Lewis Ayres (Edited by), Andrew Louth (Edited by), Augustine Casiday (Assisted by)

9780521697507, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 6 September 2007

568 pages, 1 map 1 table
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.9 cm, 0.9 kg

'This volume will certainly stand both as a statement of the progress made so far in this field and as a prospectus for future …' Journal of Theological Studies

The writings of the Church Fathers form a distinct body of literature that shaped the early church and built upon the doctrinal foundations of Christianity established within the New Testament. Christian literature in the period c.100–c.400 constitutes one of the most influential textual oeuvres of any religion. Written mainly in Greek, Latin and Syriac, Patristic literature emanated from all parts of the early Christian world and helped to extend its boundaries. The History offers a systematic account of that literature and its setting. The works of individual writers in shaping the various genres of Christian literature is considered, alongside three general essays, covering distinct periods in the development of Christian literature, which survey the social, cultural and doctrinal context within which Christian literature arose and was used by Christians. This is a landmark reference book for scholars and students alike.

Part I. The Beginnings: The New Testament to Irenaeus: 1. Introduction: Christian literary genres and their second-century development Frances Young
2. Apostolic and subapostolic writings: the New Testament and the Apostolic fathers R. A. Norris
3. Gnostic literature R. A. Norris
4. Apocryphal material: acts of the martyrs R. A. Norris
5. Apologetic material: Melito and the Peri Pascha R. A. Norris
6. Irenaeus R. A. Norris
7. Social and historical setting John Behr
8. Articulating identity R. A. Norris
9. Christian teaching Frances Young
10. Towards a hermeneutic of second-century texts Frances Young
Part II. The Third Century: 11. The Alexandrians Ronald E. Heine
12. The beginnings of Latin Christian literature Ronald E. Heine
13. Hippolytus, pseudo-Hippolytus and the early canons Ronald E. Heine
14. Cyprian and Novatian Ronald E. Heine
15. Syriac literature Sebastian Brock
16. Concluding review: the literary culture of the third century Frances Young
17. Social and historical setting: Christianity as culture critique Karen Jo Torjesen
18. Articulating identity Ronald E. Heine
19. Christian teaching David Dawson
20. The significance of third-century Christian literature Frances Young
Part III. Foundations of a New Culture: From Diocletian to Cyril: 21. Classical genres in Christian guise: Christian genres in classical guise Frances Young
22. Arnobius and Lactantius Oliver Nicholson
23. Eusebius and the birth of Church history Andrew Louth
24. Fourth-century Alexandrians: Athanasius and Didymus Andrew Louth
25. Palastine: Cyril of Jerusalem and Epiphanius Andrew Louth
26. The Cappadocians Andrew Louth
27. Fourth-century Latin writers: Hilary, Victorinus, Ambrose, Ambrosiaster David G. Hunter
28. Jerome and Rufinus Mark Vessey
29. Augustine Henry Chadwick
30. John Chrysostom and the antiochene school to Theodoret of Cyrrhus Andrew Louth
31. Cyril of Alexandria Andrew Louth
32. Hagiography Andrew Louth
33. Ephrem and the Syriac tradition Sebastian Brock
34. The literature of the monastic movement Andrew Louth
35. Women and words: texts by and about women Susan Ashbrook Harvey
36. Conciliar records and canons Andrew Louth
37. Social and historical setting R. A. Markus
38. Articulating identity Lewis Ayres
39. Christian teaching Frances Young
40. Retrospect: interpretation and appropriation Frances Young.

Subject Areas: Christian theology [HRCM], The Early Church [HRCC1], History of religion [HRAX], Western philosophy: Ancient, to c 500 [HPCA]