What was life like for first-century Christians?Imagine a modest-sized Roman home of a well-to-do Christian household wedged into a thickly settled quarter of Corinth. In the lingering light of a summer evening, men, women and children, merchants, working poor and slaves, a mix of races and backgrounds have assembled in the dimly lit main room are are spilling into the central courtyard. This odd assortment of gathered believers--some thirty in number--are attentive as the newly arrived and travel-weary emissary from Paul reads from the papyrus scroll he has brought from their apostolic mentor.But if you were to be transported to this scene you would perhaps be overwhelmed by a flood of unexpected difference. The voice of the reader recedes as through open windows the din and clamor of the city assault your ears. Hooves clunk and cart wheels grind and echo from the street while drivers shout, vendors call and neighbors gather and converse. And later, as you accompany a family through darkened and dangerous streets to their third-story tenement apartment, you might try to mask your shock at the cramped and unsafe conditions.In The Greco-Roman World of the New Testament Era James Jeffers provides an informative and scenic tour of daily life during the time of Jesus and the apostles. He affords "you-are-there" glimpses of everything from legal codes to dinner foods, from social hierarchy to apartment living, from education to family dynamics. His eye-opening book will advance your understanding of the New Testament and early Christianity and enrich your reading and application of the Bible.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
The Greco-Roman World of the New Testament Era: Exploring the Background of Early Christianity:
The Greco-Roman World of the New Testament Era: Exploring the Background of Early Christianity by James S. Jeffers. 1999. 352 pages. I picked this book up in the religious section at Half Priced Books. It sat on my too read pile for quite sometime. Once finished I let some time pass before I sat down to write this. First let me say I wish that this had been a required text in seminary. The reason for that statement is exactly what this book does. This book puts scriptural references in context... more info
A Great Book to have in your collection:
This book is a must for anyone that truly wants to understand the world of the first-century and its impact on the social, economic, political and history of the New Testament. I teach Bible classes, and during the course of my classes I will be using excerpts from this book. It's easy to read and follow. Do yourself a favor and purchase this work. It's well worth the cost.
Shallow Reading:
This book was very shallow and too general. Didn't go in depth at all.
Interesting, easy to read illumination of the culture.:
This is the most wonderful book to supplement and tie ancient Roman and Greek culture to the roots of the early Christian church. I have used it to give my middle school students a greater understanding not only of the New Testament Scriptures, but a cohesive picture of the ancient world as the forces of government ebbed and flowed into the lives of the early Christians and Jews.
