Ancient Christian Worship: Early Church Practices in Social, Historical, and Theological Perspective

Abstract

T his book contains original scholarship, but it also synthesizes the work of many other scholars who have done so much over recent decades to advance knowledge of ancient liturgy, meals, ritual, and other aspects of early Christianity. I am honored to have had many of them among my teachers, colleagues, and friends. While I hope dependence on others’ research is properly acknowledged, the intended audience of this volume has necessitated that many notes point to resources in English that will elucidate complex questions, and not necessarily to the whole of a wider body of scholarship. I particularly thank those who offered various forms of direct advice and as- sistance, especially Harold Attridge, Paul Bradshaw, Felicity Harley-McGowan, and Alistair Stewart, who each read one or more chapters. James Ernest, a colleague in early Christianity as well as a patient and conscientious editor, also offered important questions and improvements in reading the drafts. I have had important and helpful conversations with Joan Branham, Patout Burns, Jeremy Hultin, Robin Jensen, Clemens Leonhard, Jodi Magness, Hindy Najman, and Gerard Rouwhorst. My colleagues in the Society of Biblical Literature Meals in the Greco-Roman World Group have been stimulating and supportive colleagues over some years; I mention among them, repre- sentatively rather than comprehensively, Dennis Smith, Hal Taussig, Angela Standhartinger, and Matthias Kinghardt. My own limits, rather than theirs, are reflected in the results.