D H Williams

Defending and Defining the Faith

An Introduction to Early Christian Apologetic Literature

• Gebundenes Buch

Produktbeschreibung

In Early Christian Apologetics, D.H. Williams offers a first comprehensive presentation of Christian apologetic literature from the second to the fifth century CE. Williams argues that most apologies were not directed at a pagan readership. In most cases, ancient apologetics had a double object: to instruct the Christian and persuade weak Christians or non-Christians who were sympathetic to Christian claims. Taken cumulatively, he finds, apologetic literature was integral to the formation of the Christian identity in the Roman world.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: Oxford University Press, USA
• Seitenzahl: 484
• Erscheinungstermin: 18. Mai 2020
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 236mm x 160mm x 36mm
• Gewicht: 839g
• ISBN-13: 9780190620509
• ISBN-10: 0190620501
• Artikelnr.: 58341923

Autorenporträt

D. H. Williams is Professor of Patristics and Historical Theology in the Departments of Religion and Classics, Baylor University. Ph.D. 1991 University of Toronto; Th.M. 1985 Princeton Theological Seminary. Williams specializes in early Christian literature and theology, ancient Roman religions, the history of doctrine; the fourth century Trinitarian controversies and ancient Christianity in China.

Inhaltsangabe

Preface
Abbreviations
Introduction
I Matters of Definition and Qualification
II The Roman World of Early Christianity
III Construction of Christian Self-Definition
IV Persecution and the Ambiguity of Roman Law
V Earliest Christian Responses
VI Christian Faith and Intellectual Culture
VII Hellenized Antagonism Toward Hellenism
VIII Philosophy as Protagonist
IX Brilliant Diatribe
X Apology as Dialogue and Appeal
XI Clash of the Giants:
XII Divine Judgment in Vindication and Salvation
XIII Apologist Par Excellence
XIV Apologetic as Exhortation
XV The Unexpected Pagan Emperor
XVI Cities in Conflict
XVII Final Anti-Pagan Polemics
Epilogue