The materials linked here I have used regularly in my classes on early Christianity, ancient Judaism, and Hellenistic religions over the past 40 years at Notre Dame, William and Mary, and UNC Charlotte. Many are original sources. They are organized below into six general categories:
- Historical Overview: Essential Beginning Readings
- Hellenistic/Roman Religion and Philosophy
- Archaeology and the Dead Sea Scrolls
- Christian Origins and the New Testament
- Ancient Judaism
- Other General Areas
The these first two articles are copyrighted. You are welcome to read or print out but please do not post on-line or otherwise reproduce. I have used these two historical overviews for years in my courses and ask students to thoroughly “master” them early on as essential background.
1. Historical Overview: Essential Beginning Readings:
2. Hellenistic Roman Religion and Philosophy:
Understanding Temples and Holy Places in the Hellenistic Mediterranean World
Stoic and Cynic–Two of the Most Misunderstood Words in the English Language!
Ascent to Heaven–Understanding the Human and the Divine in the Ancient World
The Christians as the Romans Saw Them: Superstituious, Obstinate, Depraved, and Foolish
3. Archaeology and the Dead Sea Scrolls
Crucifixion: “That Most Wretched of Deaths” What Do We Know?
A Cosmic Messiah Who “Makes Live the Dead” Among the Dead Sea Scrolls Fragments (4Q521)
4. Christian Origins and the New Testament