Early Church Resources

Backgrounds of Early Christianity by Everett Ferguson

Widely used as a textbook since its publication in 1987, this work provides an analytical and systematic introduction to the Roman, Greek, and Jewish political, social, literary, and religious backgrounds necessary for a historical understanding of the new Testament and the early church. Now Everett Ferguson has thoroughly revised Backgrounds of Early Christianity, completely updating the bibliographies, rewriting and adding sections, and incorporating many of the critical suggestions received from professors who have used his book. As a result, the book will inform today's students even better than before. Paperback - 611 pages 2nd edition (September 1993) Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.; ISBN: 0802806694.

Restoring The Early Church

For 2,000 years,from Abraham to Jesus,God taught and toiled with the Hebrew people.The result wasn 't perfect,but it was the best in the world. Israel understood more about God than the rest of the world put together.Hebraic families were little fortresses of love,wisdom,and peace. Jewish neighborhoods were filled with relational responsibility for one another.Jewish synagogues were a lively, interactive forum that formed the backbone of the family and the nation.In short, the Hebraic culture was a treasured heritage of the church. But then we dumped it! Yes,in the biggest blunder of church history,the early church fathers rejected the values and teachings of Hebrew Christians in favor of the pagan culture and philosophy of Greece.The result has been a disaster from day one. No one talks about this,of course. It 's too sensitive a subject.But now,Michael and Susan Dowgiewicz of Restoration Ministries have broken the silence with this startling and enor- mously helpful book on how to bring back the very early church,with its core Hebraic patterns. If you 've ever longed for a quick way to recover the power and closeness you read about in Acts, this book is the answer to your prayers. Half of this 372-page book is devoted to instilling these foundations in your everyday life!

Commentary On the Jewish Roots of Romans by Joseph Shulam, Hilary Le Cornu

The authors offer this commentary on the book of Romans as a Jewish text in the hope that it will bring to the reader a broader and deeper appreciation of the light which they trust has consequently been thrown on the interpretation of the letter in general and of specific passages in particular by situating it in its Jewish setting, elaborating the exegetical rules and terminology prevalent in the period, and bringing comparative sources from contemporary Jewish literature, they also hope that this volume will go some way in redressing the historical mistake committed by the Church of cutting itself off from its own roots. Their most fervent desire is perhaps that this commentary will also serve to return Yeshua himself to his own people, in demonstrating that the New Testament is not a Christian book representing a different faith but a Jewish text embodying an authentic Jewish interpretation of the Tanakh. "The numerous references to the Hebrew Bible, Qumran, and rabbinic literature make this book a must for all who wish to inquire into the meaning of the most important document in Paul's writings. Shulam and Le Cornu have done a masterful job." -George Howard / Professor of Religion, University of Georgia "I know of no one with greater ability than Joe Shulam in showing the Pharisaic and Jewish background for understanding Paul. . . . The book is a treasure chest." -Daniel C. Juster / Director, Tikkun Ministries, Inc. "The work will prove an indispensable resource for scholars interested in the early Jewish context of Romans and the Jewishness of the faith of first-century believers in Jesus." -Craig S. Keener / Visiting Professor of Biblical Studies, Eastern Seminary "I strongly recommend it for all those who have more than a cursory interest in the Jewish backgrounds of the New Testament." -John McRay / Professor of New Testament and Archaeology, Wheaton College Graduate School

The Letter Writer

The Letter Writer challenges traditional Christian viewpoints of the Apostle Paul, his message and the foundation of his theological approach and understanding. Through this remarkable book Tim Hegg attempts to re-establish a biblical, historical, and cultural understanding of Paul-the Torah observant Apostle.

Judaism in the Beginning of Christianity by Jacob Neusner

In this clearly written book, Jacob Neusner answers the central questions about the world of Judaism in which Christianity was born. He gives an overview of the history and religion of Israel and an analysis of the Judaic legacy as it endured among those who did not become Christians. He also discusses the troubling issue of the Pharisees and investigates the identity of the "historical Hillel." This accessible book aims to speak directly to every student who is concerned with both the early and contemporary meanings of the Jewish and Christian faiths. Paperback - 112 pages (January 1984) Fortress Pr; ISBN: 0800617509.

Introduction to the History of Christianity by Tim Dowley (Editor)

The 2000-year history of Christianity is a dramatic, intriguing, and often surprising story, told here by more than sixty specialists from ten countries in the most popular one-volume illustrated reference book on church history ever published. The book's strong points include readability, easy transition from one time period to another, a "bird's-eye-view" of church history, highlights concerning most important ideas and/or events, and a good presentation of the unity of Christian faith throughout the centuries, countries, and denominations. Hardcover - 688 pages (July 1995) Augsburg Fortress Publishing; ISBN: 0800629353.

The Book of Acts in Its Graeco-Roman Setting by Conrad Gempf (Editor), David W. Gill (Editor)
I wish the title was Understanding Ancient Rome: Crucial to Bible Study. Describes the geographical, social, and cultural milieus of the Roman Empire that form the backdrop for the Book of Acts. Eight chapters provide a comprehensive overview of the provinces and regions within which the early church fought for a foothold. Seven chapters offer thorough analyses of key social and cultural issues in the eastern provinces of the Roman Empire, including such topics as travel and maritime transport, the Roman roads of Asia, food shortages, Roman religion, urban elites, and the house churches in which the first Christian communities met. Hardcover - 627 pages Vol 002 (May 1994) Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.; ISBN: 080282434X. Reading Level: Advanced.

Jesus & the Rise of Early Christianity: A History of New Testament Times by Paul Barnett

The pathway to understanding the New Testament leads through the vibrant landscape of the first-century Greco-Roman world. The New Testament is rooted in the concrete historical events of that world. We cannot understand the rise of Christianity apart from this Jesus, the Messiah of Israel, and the spiritual and intellectual impact he had on his immediate followers and those who succeeded them. Barnett offers fresh insights. His telling of the story skillfully avoids the encumbrance of extraneous details and side journeys. From the birth of Jesus to the founding of the messianic community, from the rise of Paul's mission to the Gentiles to the writing of the Gospels, Barnett offers a comprehensive account of the movement that would change the face of world history. A comprehensive survey of New Testament history that will meet the needs of students and teachers of the New Testament. In its engagement with contemporary scholarship and its emphasis on the propelling role of the historical and risen Jesus in the rise of Christianity, it provides a timely rejoinder to current revisionism in the exploration of Christian origins. Hardcover - 500 pages (November 1999) Intervarsity Pr; ISBN: 0830815880.

According to the Scriptures : The Origins of the Gospel and of the Church's Old Testament by Paul Matthews Van Buren

Van Buren argues that early Christians received a gospel "according to the scriptures" --the scriptures of the Jewish tradition, that is. Their reading of the story of the binding of Isaac (Genesis 22) helped them "discover" the good news, which means that Christianity is located not in the "New" Testament but in what, once the discovery was made, could be called the "Old" Testament. Thus van Buren restores the normative status enjoyed by the Old Testament in the community that discovered the gospel by reading old stories in the light of new problems--a practice deeply rooted in the tradition out of which both Christianity and contemporary Judaism grew. Reclaiming that tradition, van Buren argues, would not only enrich Christianity but also enable more constructive dialogue in a world of more than one religion, in which God's love is not restricted to a single people. (review by Steven Schroeder Booklist) Paperback - 156 pages (December 1998) Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.; ISBN: 0802845355.

Jewish Sources in Early Christianity by David Flusser
Discusses, in clear and accessible terms, the Jewish roots of Christianity, outlining how Christian thought drew from existing sources and went on to develop its own independent structure of thought. The Jewish Thought Series from Israel's MOD Books, now distributed exclusively by Jewish Lights. A part of Israel's Broadcast University Series, each book is written by leading experts and authors in their respective fields. They are published jointly by Tel Aviv University, the Chief Education Office of the IDF, and IDF Radio. Paperback - 90 pages (February 1996) Jewish Lights Pub; ISBN: 9650504664.

Customs and Controversies : Intertestamental Jewish Backgrounds of the New Testament by J. Julius, Jr Scott
When the New Testament authors wrote their inspired documents, they assumed that their readers were familiar with the customs and controversies of the Jewish tradition. Modern-day readers, however, do not have the luxury of intuitively knowing what the original readers knew. In Customs and Controversies Julius Scott adeptly surveys this body of knowledge. Scott makes readily available what scholarly research and recent archaeology have to tell us about Intertestamental Judaism. He presents up-to-date information on the efforts to reconstruct Old Testament institutions, the scribal traditions, the religious sects (including the Pharisees, the Sadducees, and the community of Qumran), as well as Judaism's thinking on such matters as the final age, the kingdom of God, the messianic hope, and the Gentiles. Paperback - 419 pages (November 1995) Baker Book House; ISBN: 0801020018.

Paul the Jewish Theologian : A Pharisee Among Christians, Jews, and Gentiles by Brad H. Young
Paul the Jewish Theologian reveals Saul of Tarsus as a man who, though rejected in the synagogue, never truly left Judaism. Author Young disagrees with long held notions that Hellenism was the context which most influenced Paul's communication of the Gospel. This skewed notion has led to widely divergent interpretations of Paul's writings. Only in rightly aligning Paul as rooted in his Jewishness and training as a Pharisee can he be correctly interpreted. Young asserts that Paul's view of the Torah was always positive, and he separates Jesus' mission among the Jews from Paul's call to the Gentiles. Paperback - 184 pages (1998) Hendrickson Publishers, Inc.; ISBN: 1565632486.

Timeline Charts of the Western Church by Susan Lynn Peterson

Timeline Charts of the Western Church is the first comprehensive presentation of the history of the Western church in a standard timetable format covering A.D. 25 to the present. It provides information on theological issues, people and events, the wider culture, and theological texts, all in a time-tested, highly accessible column format. It also includes an extensive index detailed enough to be used as a stand-alone reference work.

Videos

Faith Lessons on the Early Church: Conquering the Gates of Hell

From the Back Cover VIDEO ONE: Caesarea Philippi - Everything to Lose, Nothing to Gain. In the midst of pagan self-indulgence, Jesus challenged his disciples to deny themselves and follow him. Christians today must also have the courage to boldly live out Christ's message in a pagan society. Sardis - The Salt of the Earth. The apostle John used the example of Sardis, a city that overlooked its weak points and thereby enabled invading armies to conquer it, to warn Christians to be alert to their weakness so that they would not compromise their faith. Pergamum - Where Satan Lives. At this regional seat of Rome, the governor had "the power of the sword" to determine life and death. John reminded Christians of this powerful, pagan city that Jesus alone-not the Roman governor-hold all power, including power of life and death.
VIDEO TWO: Ephesus - The Mark of the Beast. In this wealthy, beautiful center of idolatry, Paul unashamedly proclaimed the truth of the Gospel. Like Paul and other Christians in Ephesus, we are to love one another and courageously live out the truth of Christ in a culture that is openly hostile toward him. Laodicea - Hot or Cold. Laodiceans had a unique understanding of why lukewarm water was worthless. Today, we are to be like a hot bath or a cold drink to a world in need of cleansing and refreshment.

God's People vs. the Pagans. Following a Master they had seen crucified before their eyes, then raised from the dead, the first-century church demonstrated a radical faith that turned the world upside down. Now retrace their steps as host Ray Vander Laan takes you to Israel and Turkey to discover what the cultures of Ephesus, Laodecia and Sardis have to say to ours today in the new installment of That the World May Know ( Part 5 ). These videos, used in Bible colleges, are facinating and easy-to-understand.

Filmed in Israel and Turkey, this video series explores the Bible in depth by helping the viewer to understand the Hebrew culture in which Scripture was first written. Each segment shows the Bible's significance to believers through life-changing "faith lessons." This set focuses on the early church. Sessions include: "I will build my church (Caesarea Philippi, Korazin, Mount of Olives); "You are the Light of the World -- In the world, not of the world" (Sardis); "I saw Satan fall -- Living where Satan lives" (Pergamum - Rev. 2:13); "They will persecute you -- The mark of the Beast" (Ephesus); I was hungry and you fed me -- Hot or cold" (Laodicea - Rev. 3). Includes 2 videos, 1 leader's guide, 1 participant's guide. 5 sessions; 2 videos, 130 minutes. Grades 7 and up.

Faith Lessons on the Early Church (Church Vol. 5) Participant's Guide by Raynard Vander Laan
(From the Back Cover) The completely new Faith Lessons curriculum takes your small group on a round trip to ancient times, places, and customs, and back again. This lively, interactive journey is more than fascinating - it's faith inspiring and life changing. This brand new Participant's Guide carefully and plainly helps you turn the lessons you learn from the past into real life applications that impact the way you live your faith. You'll find space for note-taking, topics for discussion, and questions for reflection, as well as maps, photos, sidebars, and other study tools to help you better grasp each faith lesson into practical ways to make a unique, important difference in the world around you. The carefully organized format makes it easy for you to gain tremendous benefits from the following sessions: 1. Caesarea Philippi: Everything to Lose, Nothing to Lose. 2. Sardis: The Salt of the Earth. 3. Pergamum: Where Satan Lives. 4. Ephesus: The Mark of the Beast. 5. Laodicea: Hot or Cold. Paperback - 128 pages (September 1, 2000) Zondervan Publishing House; ISBN: 0310679699

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