The Christianity Reader

About this book

Christianity is the worlds most populous religion with some two billion adherents. As a world religion Christianity has flourished because it is capable of taking on new forms in new contexts. To understand both the religions history and its present state Mary Gerhart and Fabian Udoh gather original textsfrom early Christian writings to contemporary documents on church-related issuesin The Christianity Reader. The most comprehensive anthology of Christian texts ever in English this is a landmark sourcebook for the study of Christianitys historical diversity. With newly edited annotated and translated primary texts along with supplemental analytical essays the volume allows Christianity at long last to speak in its many voices. Focusing on Christianity as a religion Gerhart and Udoh select texts that illuminate issues such as theology mysticism and ritual while also articulating the stories of previously marginalized groups as well as those in new and growing epicenters of the religion. With nearly three hundred selections the texts encompass the entire history of Christian writings excluding the New Testament from Justin Martyr and Tertullian to Fabien Eboussi Boulaga and Teresa of Calcutta. Eight thematic sections cover biblical traditions and interpretations; early influences; nascent forms; patterns of worship; structures of community; philosophy theology and mysticism; twentieth-century issues and challenges; and the contemporary relationship between Christianity and other world religions. The Readers contents are arranged chronologically and are supported with introductions and source notes that explain the rationale for their inclusion and their context. Providing a far richer selection than ever before available in a single volume The Christianity Reader will be welcomed as both a classroom resource and a work of reference for decades to come.