Encyclopedia of Early Christianity

This single-volume encyclopedia contains 977 articles by 135 qualified scholars of various academic and ecumenical backgrounds, with coverage extending from New Testament times to approximately 600 A.D. Entries cover persons, places, doctrines, and practices and include some articles on modern scholars important to the study of early Christianity. The entries vary in length, but each begins with a brief definition, or identification, followed by chronological or topical development. Excellent short bibliographies following each article give patristic citations, editions, translations, and studies. The articles avoid technical language and provide good basic summaries of the material.

This work will be useful for teachers, scholars, and students as well as for reference work. Recommended for public and academic libraries.

What's new in the Second Edition:
• Some 250 new entries – 25% more than in the first edition.
• Bibliographies are greatly expanded and updated throughout
• More focus on biblical books and philosophical schools, their influence on early Christianity and their use by patristic writers
• More information about the Jewish and pagan environment of early Christianity
• Greatly enlarged coverage of the eastern expansion of the faith throughout Asia, including persons and literature
• More extensive treatment of saints, monasticism, worship practices, and modern scholars
• Greater emphasis on social history and more theme articles
• More illustrations, maps, and plans
• Additional articles on geographical regions