Dr Maijastina Kahlos is Academy Research Fellow in the Department of Classical Philology, University Of Helsinki, Finland.

• Contents: Introduction; Constructing and deconstructing dichotomies; Debate, polemic and dialogue; Religio and superstitio; Ceremonies of light and dark; Gods and demons; Bibliography; Index.

’...Kahlos has made a valuable contribution not only to the field of history and patristics, but to all who would study religious texts produced in a polemical context. Kahlos’ careful examination of the texts, their use of prior traditions, and their role in early Christianity’s struggle to define itself over against the other has provided a valuable model of how texts such as these reflect not objective reality but reality as it is perceived by the authors. Indeed, Kahlos has provided the guild with a valuable resource not only for understanding Christianity of the fourth and fifth centuries, but polemical religious texts in general.’ The Bible & Critical Theory ’This book offers a valuable contribution to contemporary scholarly debate about Late Antique religious history and the relationship between Christianity and other religions.’ Theological Book Review

Dr Maijastina Kahlos is Academy Research Fellow in the Department of Classical Philology, University Of Helsinki, Finland.

• Contents: Introduction; Constructing and deconstructing dichotomies; Debate, polemic and dialogue; Religio and superstitio; Ceremonies of light and dark; Gods and demons; Bibliography; Index.

’...Kahlos has made a valuable contribution not only to the field of history and patristics, but to all who would study religious texts produced in a polemical context. Kahlos’ careful examination of the texts, their use of prior traditions, and their role in early Christianity’s struggle to define itself over against the other has provided a valuable model of how texts such as these reflect not objective reality but reality as it is perceived by the authors. Indeed, Kahlos has provided the guild with a valuable resource not only for understanding Christianity of the fourth and fifth centuries, but polemical religious texts in general.’ The Bible & Critical Theory ’This book offers a valuable contribution to contemporary scholarly debate about Late Antique religious history and the relationship between Christianity and other religions.’ Theological Book Review

Dr Maijastina Kahlos is Academy Research Fellow in the Department of Classical Philology, University Of Helsinki, Finland.

• Contents: Introduction; Constructing and deconstructing dichotomies; Debate, polemic and dialogue; Religio and superstitio; Ceremonies of light and dark; Gods and demons; Bibliography; Index.

’...Kahlos has made a valuable contribution not only to the field of history and patristics, but to all who would study religious texts produced in a polemical context. Kahlos’ careful examination of the texts, their use of prior traditions, and their role in early Christianity’s struggle to define itself over against the other has provided a valuable model of how texts such as these reflect not objective reality but reality as it is perceived by the authors. Indeed, Kahlos has provided the guild with a valuable resource not only for understanding Christianity of the fourth and fifth centuries, but polemical religious texts in general.’ The Bible & Critical Theory ’This book offers a valuable contribution to contemporary scholarly debate about Late Antique religious history and the relationship between Christianity and other religions.’ Theological Book Review