Associations, Synagogues, and Congregations

By Philip A. Harland

Subjects: Judaïsme, Christian sociology, Colonies, Geloofsgemeenschappen, early Christianity, Christianisme, Vroege kerk, synagogues, American Spinal Injury Association, Religion, Roman empire, Church history, Primitive and early church, Histoire, Relations, Christianity and other religions, Christian groups, Emperor worship, Synagogen, churches, Greco-Roman religion, Klassieke oudheid, Associations, institutions, Roman, Jewish sociology, Urchristentum, Culte impérial, Christianity, social history, cultural history, Religion romaine, History, associations, guilds, Religious gatherings, Église, Jewish Sociology, Associations, Zeithintergrund, 11.51 early Christianity, Assemblées religieuses

Description: This social historical study of religious groups in Roman Asia Minor brings the world of early Christians and Jews to life. Despite their distinct devotion to one God within a polytheistic context, synagogues and congregations could claim a place for themselves within ancient Mediterranean society. A fresh look at inscriptions and archeological evidence reveals new insights about the formation, operation, and function of congregations and synagogues within the larger framework of guilds and associations in the Greco-Roman world. To what extent did synagogues and congregations, like other associations, participate in city life under Roman rule? What place did emperors and imperialism hold in these groups? Harland's findings broaden our understanding of 1 Peter, Revelation, the Pastoral epistles, Ignatius' epistles, and other early Christian and Jewish literature from Asia Minor. The book fundamentally reassesses the relation of Christianity and Judaism to the ancient city and the Roman imperial order.