Christ Groups and Associations: Foundational Essays

Voluntary associations are a valuable tool for understanding Christ groups in the New Testament, with a consensus developed over decades of research. This volume presents key figures and their arguments across three periods of interest, demonstrating the breadth of existing research and the communal patterns that preceded and surrounded such groups.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 277 pages
Publication date: 15 August 2022
Publisher: Baylor University Press

The use of voluntary associations as a means to gain insight into early Christian groups has gained widespread acceptance in contemporary New Testament scholarship. This consensus has been painstakingly cultivated over several decades, drawing upon the foundations laid by scholars of the past century. The availability of influential works in this field empowers students and scholars to broaden their horizons in studying the origins of Christianity.

The chapters in this volume showcase the contributions of prominent figures and their arguments across three significant periods of inquiry into the development of employing associations as a model for understanding early Christ groups. A new introduction provides a comprehensive overview of the significant contributions of each essay and their place within broader efforts to reconstruct the evolution of Christianity.

While substantial work remains to be done in this field, Christ Groups and Associations serves as a valuable resource that highlights the breadth of existing research and past discoveries regarding Christ groups within the Greco-Roman cultural and social milieu. It also sheds light on the communal patterns that preceded and surrounded these groups. By building upon these essays, modern scholars can actively participate in the ongoing debate about the relevance of associations in understanding the claims and practices of the earliest Christ groups.

Weight: 363g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781481316996