At the Origins of Christian Worship: The Context and Character of Earliest Christian DevotionThis volume makes a valuable contribution to the debate about the origins and development of Christianity. Larry Hurtado argues that understanding the nature of Christianity in the first century requires taking full account of the first Christians' devotional practices because worship was the context in which christological titles and other expressions of faith were given their specific meaning--a fact that has largely been ignored. Hurtado focuses on two distinguishing characteristics of earliest Christian worship: its exclusivity (rejecting the worship of other deities) and its "binitarian" shape (the veneration of Christ alongside God the Father). Setting early Christianity within the religious environment of the Roman era, Hurtado describes the features of Christianity that attracted followers and led them to renounce other religions. He then turns his attention to a more detailed discussion of the place of Christ in the monotheistic worship of the earliest Christians, showing that Christ figured in their public and corporate devotional life at a surprisingly early stage. The book concludes with some reflections for Christian worship today based on the historical features of early Christian devotional practices. Clear, illuminating, and relevant to the modern church, this volume will be of interest to scholars, pastors, students, and general readers seeking insight into the origins of Christian faith and practice. |
Contents
Features of Early Christian Worship | 39 |
The Binitarian Shape of Early Christian Worship | 63 |
Reflections for Christian Worship Today | 98 |
Common terms and phrases
Acts Anchor Bible Dictionary Ancient Jewish angels Baptism believers Biblical binitarian chapter characteristic Christ christological Church connoted context Corinthians cult images Dead Sea Scrolls deities devotional practice devout Jews Diaspora discussion divine earliest Christian worship early Christian devotional early Christian groups early Christian worship Eerdmans ekklesia eschatological Eucharist expression first-century Freedman Friedrich eds Gentile given God's gods Grand Rapids Greek heavenly historical honour Hurtado Hymns Israel Jerusalem Jesus Jesus as Lord Jewish religious Jews Judaism liturgical Lord Jesus Lord's Supper MacMullen manifestations monotheism monotheistic offered oikoumene Old Testament pagan participation Paul Paul's phenomena prophecy proskynesis Psalms Qumran references reflected religion religious environment religious groups religious traditions revelation reverence reverenced ritual Roman era Roman period Roman world Roman-era sacred meal sacrifice Safrai scholars shrines significance social synagogue temple term texts Theological Dictionary tian tion transcendent University Press various worship gatherings worship of Jesus worship setting