The First Urban Churches 5: Colossae, Hierapolis, and Laodicea

A fresh examination of early Christianity by an international team of New Testament and classical scholars

Volume 5 of The First Urban Churches investigates the urban context of Christian churches in first-century Roman Colossae, Hierapolis, and Laodicea. Building on the methodologies introduced in the first volume and supplementing the in-depth studies of Corinth, Ephesus, and Philippi (vols. 2-4), essays in this volume challenge readers to reexamine preconceived understandings of the early church and to grapple with the meaning and context of Christianity in its first-century Roman colonial context.

Features:

• Analysis of urban evidence found in inscriptions, papyri, archaeological remains, coins, and iconography
• Proposed reconstructions of the past and its social, religious, and political significance
• A nuanced, informed portrait of ancient urban life in the cities of the Lycus Valley