The First One Hundred Years of Christianity

Beginning as a marginal group in Galilee, the movement initiated by Jesus of Nazareth became a world religion within one hundred years, demonstrating exclusive loyalty to Jesus Christ and its community of brothers and sisters and a missionary spirit toward outsiders. Why, among various religious movements, did Christianity succeed?

This major work by internationally renowned scholar Udo Schnelle traces the historical, cultural, and theological influences and developments of the early years of the Christian movement. Schnelle explores the dangers facing Christians and the attractiveness of the movement that led to its amazing growth. He demonstrates how Christianity provided an intellectual framework, a literature, and socialization among converts that led to its enduring influence.

Senior New Testament scholar James Thompson offers a clear, fluent English translation of the successful German edition.