The remarkable diversity of Christianity during the formative years before the Council of Nicea has become a plain, even natural, "fact" for most ancient historians. Until now, however, there has been no sourcebook of primary texts that reveals the many varieties of Christian beliefs, practices, ethics, experiences, confrontations, and self-understandings. To help readers recognize and experience the rich diversity of the early Christian movement, After the New Testament provides a wide range of texts from the second and third centuries, both "orthodox" and "heterodox," including such works as the Apostolic Fathers, the writings of Nag Hammadi, early pseudepigrapha, martyrologies, anti-Jewish tractates, heresiologies, canon lists, church orders, liturgical texts, and theological treatises. Rather than providing only fragments of texts, this collection prints large excerpts--entire documents wherever possible--organized under social and historical rubrics.
This unique reader's concise and informative introductions and clear and up-to-date English translations make it ideal for courses on the New Testament, Christian Origins, Early Church History, or Late Antiquity. It will also be of interest to anyone--student, scholar, and general reader alike--interested in the entire range of early Christian literature from the period after the New Testament up to the writings of the so-called father of church history, Eusebius.
Industry Reviews
"[Ehrman's] collection presents a broad range of primary texts from the early years of Christianity, with as full a set of texts as possible within the restrictions of providing these works in a single volume. The texts deal with a range of significant issues within early Christianity, such as evangelism, persecution and martyrdom, apologetics, heresies, apocrypha/pseudepigrapha, church offices, liturgics and ethics, arranged according to the topics themselves
rather than according to the categories of systematic theology....Ehrman has sought to include large selections: complete texts when possible, and lengthy excerpts when not....In spite of having most of these texts in various editions I found myself excitedly looking through the selections for the
intelligent topical arrangement, and looking forward to using this as a required textbook...." [this review takes up 2 fields; see below for conclusion]
"Each chapter begins with a sketch of the important historical aspects of the topic, and each individual text is introduced with brief comments concerning its historical context and significance. The topical introduction of each chapter is not a brief and passing mention, but rather an in-depth essay to the stated topic, with a brief bibliography before the primary text on good current titles for further reading. This reader is a welcome and needed addition to
the increasing titles available on early Christianity, especially since it is not an anthology of secondary scholarly opinion on the history of early Christianity, but provides the opportunity for students to become immersed in the primary sources themselves."--John Voelker, Marquette University, in
the Journal of Early Christian Studies
"An outstanding collection of relevant primary sources for courses on the history of early Christianity. Students found the texts exciting, readable (because of the modern translation), and informative. They also appreciated the helpful introductions to each section."--William Tabbernee, Phillips Theological Seminary
"Finally! Just what I have been looking for: a judiciously selected anthology with appropriate-length early texts."--Stephen Healey, University of Bridgeport
"A wonderful text. It is a comprehensive and provocative collection of early Christian writings sufficient to induce even the most sleepy-headed reader to ask questions. Those who teach Christian history should welcome this anthology."--Lawrence Snyder, Western Kentucky University
"An excellent Ante-Nicean primary source reader. The thematic approach is well thought out. A very useful text for a class on Christian origins."--Gaston Espinosa, Westmont College
"Ehrman's shrewd chapter topics, along with his brief (but pithy) introductions enable good use of these 2nd and 3rd century texts which together well represent the breadth and variety of Christian beginnings. We now have a fresh and student-friendly set of resources for examination of early Christian literature 'after the New Testament.'"--Bob Gregg, Stanford University
"This is a splendid anthology that should replace several others that have been in use during the past decades. It should be of tremendous benefit to teachers and students of the New Testament and Early Christianity."--Elizabeth A. Clark, Duke University
"This volume will be invaluable to teachers of early Christian history who have lacked such a broad-ranging collection of key texts. It is likely to be sufficient in itself for a college or seminary introduction to early church history. Ehrman's selection of texts and of passages to excerpt is judicious, covering a wonderfully vast territory of topics with depth sufficient both to map central issues and to allow students to explore more obscure regions."--Derek
Krueger,The University of North Carolina, Greensboro
"This is a tremendous anthology of early church writings--will be of better value to my church history class than previous anthologies."--Merrill Hawking, Carson Newman College
"The readings are most beneficial. Students are very interested in 'other writings'...An excellent reference book for professors."--Marianne Ferguson, Buffalo State College
"Exceptional selection of texts--perfect for a course centered in pre-Nicene Christianity."--Charles Bobertz, St. John's University
"A judicious selection of 2nd/3rd c. writers that provides the student with both a balanced view of varieties of Christianity and sufficient text readings for appreciation of the ancient context."--D.H Williams, Loyola University
"Excellent source readings for the 2nd and 3rd centuries of Christianity. Well-edited primary readings covering the major writers of this period. Courses devoted to this period will welcome this anthology."--Donald M. Lake, Wheaton College
"A good selection of primary texts--rather like a 'greatest hits' of early Christianity. The introductory remarks are helpful, too."--Jeffrey A. Trumbower, St. Michael's College
"An excellent selection of early Christian writings, organized logically according to types and themes. Indispensable for students of early Christian theology."--Antonio Buens, Andrews University
"A welcome addition in the quest for convenient primary source materials, and an excellent companion to Ehrman's The New Testament and Other Early Christian Writings."--Robert Craft, University of Pennsylvania
"An excellent collection of source documents, well arranged and introduced."--Everett Ferguson, Abilene Christian University
"A perfect fit for a survey of the Early Church, grouping its fine selections of readings under topics that are native to any course on the first four centuries of Christendom. Ehrman's section introductions are masterful, setting the literature in its historical, theological, and sociological settings."--Wayne G. Rollins, Hartford Seminary
