This fascinating resource examines the day-to-day lives of early Christians-as depicted through documented accounts of the period-from the beginning of Christianity through 325 CE.Early Christianity drew its doctrine from a variety of sources-personal interpretation, Hebrew scriptures, and church council-yet the core ideology endured, even as the religion transitioned from being the object of persecution to becoming a legal institution in the Roman Empire. This book celebrates the voices that helped create and develop Christianity during that period.Voices of Early Christianity: Documents from the Origins of Christianity is a collection of excerpts from significant documents from early Christian history, organized topically, then listed chronologically within each section. The author compares textual variations among the works of the apostles, as well as key themes over time, and frames the discussion for further critical thinking. Topics include sexuality, marriage, and divorce; food issues; women in early Christianity; and politics and Christianity.

A detailed chronology of early Christianity from the faith's beginning through 325 CE

PrefaceAcknowledgmentsIntroductionHow to Evaluate a Primary SourceChronologyDOCUMENTSEarly Christian Life1. Sources for Christ Outside of the New Testament: Josephus, Antiquities 18:2-3; Tacitus, Annals 15.44; and Suetonius, Lives of the Caesars, Claudius 5.25.3-52. Synoptic Gospels: Selections from Matthew, Mark, and Luke3. Baptism: Mark 16:14-16; 1 Corinthians 1:13-17; Tertullian, On Baptism, selections4. Castration: Galatians 5:1-14; Matthew 19:8-12; Clement of Alexandria, Miscellanies 3.1; Eusebius of Caesarea, Ecclesiastical History 6.8.1-5; Canon 1 from the Council of Nicea5. Circumcision: Genesis 17:9-14, 17:22-27; Romans 2:12-3:5, 3:28-4:17; 1 Corinthians 7:18-20; Galatians 2:1-106. On Eating: Leviticus 11:1-47; Acts 10:9-17; 1 Corinthians 8:1-137. Eucharist: Mark 14:16-26; Luke 22:13-22; Didache 9-10; Justin Martyr, First Apology, 65-668. Marriage: Genesis 1:24-30; Genesis 2:15-24; 1 Corinthians 7:1-17, 7:24-409. Divorce: Deuteronomy 24:1-4; Mark 10:2-12; Matthew 5:27-32; Luke 16:18; Tertullian, Against Marcion 4.3410. Remarriage: Matthew 22:23-33; Tertullian, To His Wife, Letter 111. The End Times: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 1:1-20, 2:18-29, 8:1-9:1612. Resurrection: Scenes from the Christian CatacombsThe Church13. Church Offices: Apostles, Prophets, and Teachers: 1 Corinthians 12:28-14:19; Didache 11-1314. Marriage of Apostles and Priests: 1 Corinthians 9:1-6; 1 Timothy 3:1-5; Matthew 8:10-15; Clement of Alexandria, Miscellanies 3.6.52-53; Council of Elvira, Canon 33; Nicene Creed, Canon 315. Acceptable Readings: Muratorian Canon16. Acceptable Readings: Eusebius of Caesarea, Ecclesiastical History 3.24-2517. Catacombs of Rome18. The Nicene Creed19. The Canons from the Council of Nicea (325 ce)Early Christian Women20. Menstruation: Leviticus 15:19-33; Mark 5:25-34; Dionysius, Epistle to Bishop Basilides, Canon II21. Women Martyrs: Passion of Perpetua and Felicitas 622. Women as Deaconesses: Romans 16:1-16; 1 Timothy 2:5-15; Didascalia 1623. Virginity: Cyprian, On the Dress of Virgins, selections24. Women Prophets: Hippolytus, Refutation against Heresies 8.12; Eusebius, Church History 5.16.1-2225. Rules for Widows: 1 Timothy 5:3-16; Didascalia 15, selectionsConflicts of the Early Church26. Epistle of Barnabas 11-1227. Ignatius, Anti-Judaism: Excerpts from His Letter to the Philadelphians and Magnesians28. Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho, a Jew29. Irenaeus, Against Heresies, preface, and Against Heresies 1.10.1-230. Tertullian, Against Marcion 1:1-231. Origen, Against Celsus, selections32. Alexander of Alexandria, Catholic Epistle33. Athanasius, Discourse One against the Arians 1:1-434. A Manichaean Psalm: Manichaean Psalm Book, Part 2, pp. 9-1135. Mani, Foundation LetterPersecution36. The Martyrdom of Polycarp, excerpts37. Martyrdom: Cyprian, Epistle 838. Lactantius, On the Deaths of the Persecutors, excerpts39. The Edict of Milan: Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History 10.5; Lactantius, On the Deaths of the Persecutors 48Church and Politics40. Church and State: Justin Martyr, First Apology, excerpts41. Conversion of Constantine: Lactantius, On the Deaths of the Persecutors 44; Eusebius, Life of Constantine 1:28-3142. Arch of Constantine: Dedication on the Arch of ConstantineAppendix 1: BiographyAppendix 2: GlossaryBibliographyBibliography of WebsitesIndex