Christian Origins

This book provides a comprehensive and introductory account of the emergence of Christianity, as we know it today. Dealing with the Jewish background to Jesus and crucial issues as the Synoptic problem it is an ideal undergraduate textbook.In "Christian Origins" Jonathan Knight gives a comprehensive account of the emergence of Christianity as we know it today. Beginning with the Jewish background to Jesus and his teachings, Knight examines the different factions within Judaism at the time, ultimately identifying eschatology as the common link to Jesus' teaching. Knight presents this apocalyptic agenda as the mainstay of early Christian belief, and uses this as a lens through which to view the development of the Early Church, the writings of Paul and the further growth of the Church.In examining the birth of Christianity Knight alights on such crucial and intriguing issues as the Synoptic Problem, the historical figure of Jesus and the authorship of the Pauline epistles.These widespread investigations lead him to an enlightening examination of Pauline ethics and the development of sacramental understanding and Christian ministry, propelling the book beyond a basic exegetical reflection to a breathtaking demonstration of the foundations of a major world faith.

"Christian Origins does many things well. It traces major theological and historical developments beginning with the Bronze Age "Settlement" of Israel in the Land of Canaan and concluding with the second century C.E. rise of Gnosticism, focusing especially on Jesus and Paul. It also quickly surveys the Jewish soil out of which Christianity grew, focusing on apocalyptic expectation, different parties in Judaism (Pharisees, Sadducees, etc.), the synagogue, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and other important matters. In spite of covering so much ground, however, Knight emphasizes that this ground is not at all flat, and explores the contours and landmarks of numerous scholarly debates to show that 'our understanding of biblical history is in continual process of reassessment' (p. 20)...To offer an accessible introduction that also accounts for scholarly debates is a very difficult balance to achieve, and Knight is to be commended." -George L. Parsenios, Interpretation, July 2010Religious Studies Review, "While this book is targeted at undergraduates, any Christian would find it illuminating and have their understanding of the scriptures enriched."Hereford Diocese, Spring 2010Choice

Jonathan Knight is Research Fellow of the Katie Wheeler Trust. Previous appointments include Lecturer and Research Fellow in Biblical Studies at Sheffield University, Chaplain and Research Assistant to Stephen Sykes and Chaplain of Worcester College, Oxford, UK. He is the author of Jesus: An Historical and Theological Investigation (T&T Clark, 2004), Luke's Gospel (Routledge, 1998) and The Ascension of Isaiah (Sheffield Academic Press, 1995), and editor, with Stephen Sykes and John Booty, of The Study of Anglicanism (SPCK, 1998).