An exploration of the historical course and nature of early Christian theology, which concentrates on setting it within particular traditions or sets of traditions. The text is in three Parts: reading Origen; reading the fourth century; and Christian origins in the western traditions. The contributors reconsider classic themes and texts in the light of the existing traditions of interpretation. Theyoffer critiques of early Christian ideas and texts and they consider the structure and origins of standard modern readings of these ideas and texts. The contributors employ a variety of methodological approaches to analyse the interplay between ancient philosophical traditions and the development of Christian thought and to redefine the parameters between the previously accepted divisions in the traditions of Christian theology and thought.