Sources for paper on early Christianity

Tek7 (Legacy)

Tek7 (Legacy)

CGA & ToJ President
One of my final projects this semester is an 8- to 10-page research paper for my Cultures and Values class. My thesis goes a little somethin' like this:

"Early Christianity, as defined by the teachings of Jesus and Paul, appealed to a wide range of people. This appeal was amplified by the unsatisfactory conditions of the Mediterranean culture."

Now keep in mind this is a rough thesis. Obviously. My paper will focus on the social, political, and cultural climate that proved fertile soil for the spread of Christianity. For these points, I need to relate basic themes and methods of Jesus' and Paul's teachings to the contemporary context. For example: Paul moved the teachings of Jesus from a Jewish context to a global context, expanding their appeal to a broader audience. Stuff like that. ^^

I need sources on first-century Mediterranean culture, especially as it relates to the spread of Christianity. If anyone can give me names of good sources (books, magazine articles, and so on), I would greatly appreciate it.
 
http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_ch.htm

http://www.christianitytoday.com/history/features/early.html

http://www.cwo.com/~pentrack/catholic/chron.html

http://www.stjohnadulted.org/history1.htm

http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/romemaps/

http://ancienthistory.about.com/gi/...egon.edu/~atlas/europe/interactive/map31.html
(interactive macromedia map on spread throughout the roman empire)

Those are some that I found. The first two I have used before. The others i was in a googling mood and found em. Make sure you validate the resources used for them :)

Cory
 
What level of resources are you looking for, Masters, Bachelors or what?

Do you want webs or books?

Christian or secular?

Most of your research will focus on the Roman Empire and their treatment of cultures they defeated.

Watch your thesis in singling out Paul. You might say Jesus and the early apostles or church leaders. Paul will get you killed due to some of his teachings being contextual in nature. Many secular people have issues with Paul, so if you single him out they will come with knives bared.
 
Icthus said:
What level of resources are you looking for, Masters, Bachelors or what?
Click to expand...
It's for a 101 level Humanities course, so I wouldn't need anything too extensive. The paper itself must be 8 to 10 pages.

Do you want webs or books?
Click to expand...
Either.

Christian or secular?
Click to expand...
Either.

Watch your thesis in singling out Paul. You might say Jesus and the early apostles or church leaders. Paul will get you killed due to some of his teachings being contextual in nature.
Click to expand...
Aye, but I've already had the thesis approved by my professor. Limiting it to Paul instead of a group keeps it simple. This won't be a widely published paper; it's simply an assignment for class. I suppose I could try to publish it if it turns out to be an excellent paper, but my primary concern is a good grade.

I'm all about intellectual research, but right now, I just gotta git 'er done.
 
*bump* Paper's due Wednesday and I'm still searching for more sources. Great suggestions so far, I just need more. @_@
 
"The History of Christianity" is the best resource i can think of and I beleive it is written by Gonzales. There are two volumes and early and a late.

You also might search Josephus, The Antiquities, Jewish historian and Pliny the Younger, Letters and Older, both Roman historians. If you search almost any apologetic volume (Evidence that Demands a Verdict or Case for Christ) you can find the sources in a biblography.
 
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Paper's done! ^^ I finished it yesterday (Friday, May 6) at ~9:55AM.

Thanks to everyone who suggested sources!

EDIT: If you want a copy of the paper, e-mail me at tek7 AT toj DOT cc. Fair warning, though: It's seven pages double-spaced.
 
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