Introduction: how to use
this book
This book is designed for those beginning the study of early
Christianity, particularly students at university pursuing courses
on aspects of the ancient Greek and Roman world, and for those
general readers for whom the subject holds some fascination.
Like the other books in this series, it aims to map out the subject,
providing novices with basic orientation on issues, methods, and
sources; it is not, therefore, yet another history of the early
Christian centuries (for examples, see chapter 7). In common with
the guidelines offered by the publisher of the series, and sugges-
tions made by the authors of other volumes, it is unashamedly a
personal and idiosyncratic volume. Perhaps appropriately for a
volume on the emergence of Christianity in the ancient world, my
aim here is to preach, and not necessarily to the converted. I hope
that, having read all or some of it, students and general readers
will have some idea of what the study of early Christianity entails;
how in various ways it might be approached; what problems are
likely to be encountered when studying it; and why, perhaps, the
subject might be exciting, worthwhile, and even important.
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