num_pages: 238
description: This book offers an engrossing portrayal of the early years of the Christian movement from the perspective of the Romans.AcknowledgmentsIntroductionAbbreviationsPliny: a Roman gentleman. The making of a Roman official; Travels of a provincial governor; A Christian association; Offerings of wine &amp; incenseChristianity as a burial society. Church or political club?; A sense of belonging; A Bacchic society; An obscure &amp; secret associationThe piety of the persecutors. Roman religion &amp; Christian prejudice; The practice of religion; "We too are a religious people"Galen: the curiosity of a philosopher. Philosophy &amp; medicine; Christianity as a philosophical school; The practice of philosophy; The arbitrary god of the ChristiansCelsus: a conservative intellectual. Begging priests of Cybele &amp; soothsayers; The deficiencies of Christian doctrine; Demythologizing the story of Jesus; An apostasy from Judaism; Religion &amp; the social orderPorphyry: the most learned critic of all. In defense of Plato; The Jewish scriptures; The Christian New Testament; Philosophy from oracles; The religion of the emperor; Jesus not a magician; An unreasoning faithJulian the Apostate: Jewish law &amp; Christian truth. The emperor's piety; Greek education &amp; Christian values; Against the Galilaeans; The tribal god of Jews &amp; Christians; An apostasy from JudaismEpilogueSuggestions for Further ReaderIndex
language: English
title: The Christians as the Romans Saw Them
titlecomplete: The Christians as the Romans Saw Them
genres: Christianity, History, Philosophy, Religion, Church History, Ancient History, Theology, Ancient, Christian, Nonfiction
ratings_count: 619
publisher: Yale University Press