Jonathan Knight's Christian Origins expands the horizons of anyone who reads it with a comprehensive account of the emergence of Christianity as we know it today. Beginning with Jesus' Jewish background and his teachings, he examines them in comparison with different Jewish factions at the time, identifying ultimately that eschatology is the common link to Jesus’ teaching. Knight presents this apocalyptic agenda as the key of early Christian belief, and uses this as a lens through which to view the development of the Early Church, the writings of Paul and the further growth of the Church.
In examining the birth of Christianity Knight alights on such crucial and intriguing issues as the Synoptic Problem, the historical figure of Jesus and the authorship of the Pauline epistles. These widespread investigations lead him to an enlightening examination of Pauline ethics and the development of sacramental understanding and Christian ministry, propelling the book beyond a basic exegetical reflection to a breathtaking demonstration of the foundations of a major world faith.
Part One: From Judaism to Jesus
- About Christian Origins
- The Nature of the Sources
- In Search of Ancient Israel
- The God of Ancient Israel
- The Interpretation of Scripture
- The Synagogue
- The Temple
- Jewish Parties
- Diaspora Judaism
Jewish Eschatological Hope
Part Two: Jesus and His Mission
- An Approach to Jesus
- A Brief History of Jesus
- The Message of Jesus
- Who Did Jesus Think That He Was?
- The Trial of Jesus
The Resurrection of Jesus
Part Three: Paul and His Christian Beginnings
- On Paul the Apostle
- Christianity before Paul
- The Writings of Paul
- Paul and Christian salvation
- Paul and the Future
Pauline Ethics
Part Four: The Birth of Early Christianity
- The Eschatological Framework of Christianity
- The Post-Pauline Writings of the New Testament
- The Emergence of Beliefs about Jesus
- The Breach between Christianity and Judaism
- The Symbols of the Kingdom
- The Development of the Christian Ministry
- Early Christian Ethics
- The Rise of Gnosticism
Summary and conclusion
Appendix: The Gospels as Sources for Jesus
Notes