Early Christian Literature

• Abbreviations Introduction 1. Second Century Literature in Its Historical-Cultural Context Christianity in the mid-second and the early third centuries Christian interaction with Greco-Roman society Literature of the second century: the Apologies, Apocryphal Acts and Martyr Acts Triangular relationship 2. Superiority of Christian Monotheism Apologies: Christianity as true philosophy Apocryphal Acts: Christianity as true power Martyr Acts: Christianity as true piety Summary and Conclusion 3. Superiority of Christian Sexual Morality Asceticism in general: the controlling paradigm Asceticism: sexual chastity and renunciation Chastity, marriage and family in Greco-Roman society Marriage and celibacy in the New Testament Apologies: harmony with the established social order Tatian and enratism Apocryphal Acts: antithesis of the social ideal and resistance to the social order Martyr Acts: renunciation of social mores Summary and Conclusion 4. Christian Loyalty to the Empire Imperial cult: unity of religion and politics Apologies: Christian loyalty to the Empire Apocryphal Acts: Christian subversiveness to the Empire Martyr Acts: Christian resistance to the Empire Summary and Conclusion Conclusion Bibliography Index

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