The social setting of the ministry as reflected in the writings of Hermas, Clement and Ignatius
By: Harry O. Maier.
Contributors: Canadian Corporation for Studies in Religion.
Series: Studies in Christianity and Judaism -- 11
Publisher: Published for the Canadian Corporation for Studies in Religion/Corporation canadienne des sciences religieuses by Wilfrid Laurier University Press
Published: 2002
Place of publication: Waterloo, Ont
Language: eng
Number of pages: 230
Subjects: Hermas, -- 2nd cent.; Clement -- I, -- Pope.; Ignatius, -- Saint, Bishop of Antioch, -- d. ca. 110.; Church polity -- History -- Early church, ca. 30-600.; Church history -- Primitive and early church, ca. 30-600.; Pastoral theology.
Description: "Focussing on three first- and early-second-century documents (the Shepherd of Hermas, 1 Clement and the Ignatian epistles), this work contributes to a growing body of literature concerned with the social setting of early Christianity. Maier argues that the development of structures of leadership in the early Christian church is best accounted for by reference to the hospitality, patronage, and leadership of wealthy hosts who invited local Christian groups to meet in their homes.

Sociological models and types are employed to analyze the tensions that arose from excesses of patronage and leadership by the well-to-do."--BOOK JACKET.
Notes: "The original printing of this book was published with the support of the Dissertation series prize of the Canadian Coproration for Studies in Religion."

Includes bibliographical references (p. [205]-230).