The Birth Of Christianity

This book reveals how Christianity emerged in the period following Jesus' death. Taking an interdisciplinary approach, Crossan shines new light on the theological and cultural context from which the Christian church arose. He argues powerfully that Christianity would have happened with or without Paul and contends that Jesus' resurrection meant something vastly different for his early followers than it does for many traditional Christians today - what mattered was that his vision and movement remained alive when he died. This book's fresh view of Christian origins finally illuminates the mysterious period that set Western religious history on its decisive course.