Late ancient Christianity /

These two volumes are part of a new series whose general editor is Denis R. Janz. In a foreword, Janz notes that this series breaks new ground: "It is church history, yes, but church history with a difference: 'church,' ... is not to be understood first and foremost as the hierarchical-institutional-bureaucratic corporation; but rather above all it is the laity, the ordinary faithful, the people." Horsley (Univ. of Massachusetts, Boston), the editor of the first volume, is an able representative of this new agenda in New Testament studies. He clues readers in to the changes in the traditional approach, stating that "our purpose is to explore primarily the history of the people involved, not the text as texts." Twelve scholars offer chapters dealing with Jesus, Paul, a variety of groups of people (e.g., women, the poor), and other issues. This volume provides wonderful, readable exposure to both the culture and content of the New Testament world. New Testament scholarship has become interdisciplinary, and these chapters bear the fruit of that work.Volume 2 deals with the Roman imperial period's material, once known as "patristics," which seems even more transformed and appropriately relabeled by the new scholarly focus. This volume's scope is revealed in the introduction: "Three themes ... recur throughout our chapters ... emphasis on diversity rather than sameness, on the local rather than the universal, and on practice rather than doctrine." Topics range from class and gender issues, to ritual and other concerns for the ordinary Christian of the day. Even those who already have a good understanding of the theological development of the first five Christian centuries will welcome this work. Both books are richly illustrated. The notes provide a gold mine of further resources. Useful index. ^BSumming Up: Highly recommended. Upper-level undergraduates through faculty/researchers; general readers. A. L. Kolp Baldwin-Wallace College