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by James R. Edwards (Author)
How did the movement founded by Jesus transform more in the first seventy-five years after his death than it has in the two thousand years since? This book tells the story of how the Christian movement, which began as relatively informal, rural, Hebrew and Aramaic speaking, and closely anchored to the Jewish synagogue, became primarily urban, Greek speaking, and gentile by the early second century, spreading through the Greco-Roman world with a mission agenda and church organization distinct from its roots in Jewish Galilee. It also shows how the early church's witness can encourage the church today.
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"[A] concise and readable history of the rise of early Christianity"
A noted New Testament scholar explores how the movement founded by Jesus transformed more in the first seventy-five years after his death than it has in the two thousand years since.
"What transformed the Galilean Jesus movement into global Christianity? In this concise and readable history of the rise of early Christianity, Edwards looks at the many factors that contributed to this radical transformation. This volume will be enlightening reading for anyone interested in Jesus, Paul, and what became the Christian church."
--Stanley E. Porter, McMaster Divinity College, Ontario, Canada
"Lucid and learned, From Christ to Christianity is a valuable alloy of Edwards's biblical and historical acumen. A welcome and instructive reminder of the enduring changelessness of the gospel through the vicissitudes of time."
--Amy J. Erickson, St. Marks National Theological Centre, Barton, Australia
"Edwards traces the dramatic changes that occurred in the Christian movement from the close of the apostolic period to the year 140 or so. And yet, in spite of these dramatic changes, he shows the continuity that prevailed too. Edwards is at his scholarly and literary best in this book. From Christ to Christianity kept me spellbound from beginning to end."
--Gerald L. Sittser, Whitworth University (emeritus); author of Resilient Faith: How the Early Christian "Third Way" Changed the World
"Edwards's work demonstrates both meticulous historical research and judicious theological conclusions. It will be a gift not only to students of the history of Christianity but also to the church at large."
--Kimlyn J. Bender, George W. Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor University
"Edwards invites us to learn from the amazing changes that took place in the movement's first seventy-five years of life. Understanding the movement's 'ability to be adaptive without becoming captive' to its environment is the gift and challenge that Edwards makes accessible to followers of Christ today."
--Stanley D. Slade, American Baptist International Ministries
"Anyone eager to take a deep dive into one of the most creative, fascinating periods of the development of the early church will find this book well worth their investment of time and attention. I highly recommend this clearly organized, illuminating wealth of information and insights that could justifiably be regarded as a standard resource for early church historical studies yet to come."
--Jeannine M. Graham, George Fox University (emerita)
Author Biography
James R. Edwards (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) is Bruner-Welch Professor Emeritus of Theology at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington. A noted New Testament scholar, he taught Bible and religion classes for more than three decades. His books include the Christianity Today Book Award winner Is Jesus the Only Savior?
