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James R. Edwards
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From Christ to Christianity: How the Jesus Movement Became the Church in Less Than a Century Kindle Edition

by James R. Edwards (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 11 ratings
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How did the movement founded by Jesus transform more in the first seventy-five years after his death than it has in the two thousand years since? This book tells the story of how the Christian movement, which began as relatively informal, rural, Hebrew and Aramaic speaking, and closely anchored to the Jewish synagogue, became primarily urban, Greek speaking, and gentile by the early second century, spreading through the Greco-Roman world with a mission agenda and church organization distinct from its roots in Jewish Galilee. It also shows how the early church's witness can encourage the church today.
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  1. Print length
    311 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Baker Academic
  5. Publication date
    July 6, 2021
  6. File size
    5488 KB
  7. Page Flip
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Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

"[A] concise and readable history of the rise of early Christianity"

A noted New Testament scholar explores how the movement founded by Jesus transformed more in the first seventy-five years after his death than it has in the two thousand years since.

"What transformed the Galilean Jesus movement into global Christianity? In this concise and readable history of the rise of early Christianity, Edwards looks at the many factors that contributed to this radical transformation. This volume will be enlightening reading for anyone interested in Jesus, Paul, and what became the Christian church."
--Stanley E. Porter, McMaster Divinity College, Ontario, Canada

"Lucid and learned, From Christ to Christianity is a valuable alloy of Edwards's biblical and historical acumen. A welcome and instructive reminder of the enduring changelessness of the gospel through the vicissitudes of time."
--Amy J. Erickson, St. Marks National Theological Centre, Barton, Australia

"Edwards traces the dramatic changes that occurred in the Christian movement from the close of the apostolic period to the year 140 or so. And yet, in spite of these dramatic changes, he shows the continuity that prevailed too. Edwards is at his scholarly and literary best in this book. From Christ to Christianity kept me spellbound from beginning to end."
--Gerald L. Sittser, Whitworth University (emeritus); author of Resilient Faith: How the Early Christian "Third Way" Changed the World

"Edwards's work demonstrates both meticulous historical research and judicious theological conclusions. It will be a gift not only to students of the history of Christianity but also to the church at large."
--Kimlyn J. Bender, George W. Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor University

"Edwards invites us to learn from the amazing changes that took place in the movement's first seventy-five years of life. Understanding the movement's 'ability to be adaptive without becoming captive' to its environment is the gift and challenge that Edwards makes accessible to followers of Christ today."
--Stanley D. Slade, American Baptist International Ministries

"Anyone eager to take a deep dive into one of the most creative, fascinating periods of the development of the early church will find this book well worth their investment of time and attention. I highly recommend this clearly organized, illuminating wealth of information and insights that could justifiably be regarded as a standard resource for early church historical studies yet to come."
--Jeannine M. Graham, George Fox University (emerita)

About the Author

James R. Edwards is Bruner-Welch Professor Emeritus of Theology at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington. A noted New Testament scholar, he taught bible and religion classes for more than three decades. His books include the Christianity Today Book Award winner Is Jesus the Only Savior?

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09CLKWRX5
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Baker Academic (July 6, 2021)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 6, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 5488 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 311 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1540964108
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 11 ratings

About the author

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James R. Edwards

James R. Edwards

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James R. Edwards

My primary research interests include Biblical studies and history of the early church, with secondary interests in the Reformation and history of the twentieth-century German Church struggle. In pursuit of these I am a frequent visitor to Christian sites, libraries, and monasteries in Germany, Greece, Turkey, and Israel.

I hold academic degrees from Whitworth University (B.A.), Princeton Theological Seminary (M.Div.), and Fuller Theology Seminary (Ph.D.), and have studied further at the universities of Zuerich and Tuebingen, Tyndale House (Cambridge), and the Center of Theological Inquiry (Princeton). A DAAD grant from Germany government allowed me to investigate the disappearance and death of Professor Ernst Lohmeyer.

I am currently Bruner-Welch Professor Emeritus of Theology at Whitworth University, Spokane, Washington. Email: jedwards@whitworth.edu

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
11 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

K. B. Rollins
5.0 out of 5 stars An insight into the amazing things God did during the first century
Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2021
This is a careful exposition into the unusual events that carried Christ's people forward. James Edwards writes two different kind of books: serious research treatises (The Hebrew Gospel and the Development of the Synoptic Tradition) and clear thinking discussions that are as delightful as a good conversation (The Divine Intruder). This is somewhere in between. The first section is heavy on the geography of first century cities -- don't expect to just gloss through this stuff. Later, he fleshes out people and events in a more conversational way. Definitely worth the time and effort.
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rdraum
5.0 out of 5 stars Engaging and Important
Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2021
Beginning with the Ascension, this book presents an account of the first 100 years or so of the Christian movement. Dr. Edwards seamlessly weaves history, theology, characters, context and culture into a narrative that's nothing less than astonishing. Although he occasionally uses technical terms, the book is generally accessible to non-experts with interest in the subject. In fact, it warrants a place among basic introductions to the New Testament.
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