A new history of early ch

You're referring to the "New History of Early Christianity"!

The "New History of Early Christianity" is a recent scholarly movement that seeks to re-evaluate and re-write the traditional narrative of early Christianity. This movement is characterized by a more nuanced and complex understanding of the early Christian period, which challenges some of the long-held assumptions and myths about the origins and development of Christianity.

Some of the key features of the "New History of Early Christianity" include:

  1. Diversification of sources: Scholars are now drawing on a wider range of sources, including non-Christian texts, archaeological finds, and previously overlooked Christian texts, to gain a more comprehensive understanding of early Christianity.
  2. Regionalization: Instead of focusing on a single, monolithic "early Christianity," scholars are now recognizing the diversity of Christian experiences and practices across different regions and cultures.
  3. Contextualization: Early Christianity is being re-examined in its historical and cultural context, taking into account the complex social, political, and economic dynamics of the ancient Mediterranean world.
  4. Challenging traditional narratives: The "New History of Early Christianity" is challenging some of the traditional narratives about early Christianity, such as the idea of a single, unified "early church" or the notion that Christianity was a direct continuation of Judaism.
  5. Emphasis on diversity and complexity: Scholars are now recognizing the complexity and diversity of early Christian beliefs, practices, and communities, and are seeking to understand the various ways in which Christianity developed and evolved over time.

Some of the key figures associated with the "New History of Early Christianity" include:

  1. Bart Ehrman: A prominent New Testament scholar who has written extensively on the historical Jesus and the development of early Christianity.
  2. Larry Hurtado: A Canadian scholar who has made significant contributions to the study of early Christianity, including the development of Christian worship and the role of the Holy Spirit.
  3. Richard Carrier: An American scholar who has written extensively on the historical Jesus and the development of early Christianity, and has challenged some of the traditional narratives about early Christianity.
  4. Gerd Lüdemann: A German scholar who has written extensively on the development of early Christianity, including the role of the apostles and the spread of Christianity throughout the Mediterranean world.

Some of the key books and articles associated with the "New History of Early Christianity" include:

  1. Bart Ehrman's "The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings": A comprehensive introduction to the New Testament and its historical context.
  2. Larry Hurtado's "The Earliest Christian Artifacts: Manuscripts and Christian Origins": A study of the earliest Christian artifacts and their significance for understanding early Christianity.
  3. Richard Carrier's "Proving Jesus' Resurrection": A comprehensive study of the historical evidence for Jesus' resurrection.
  4. Gerd Lüdemann's "Early Christianity According to the New Testament": A study of the development of early Christianity based on the New Testament.

Overall, the "New History of Early Christianity" is a significant development in the field of Christian studies, offering a more nuanced and complex understanding of the early Christian period.