This stimulating collection of essays by prominent scholars honors Carolyn Osiek. The essays reflect her career and attempt to pay tribute to both the unity and the diversity of her accomplishments. The authors interpret early Christians in their social world and women in early Christianity, with interpretations spanning the New Testament and early church documents. The editors have brought together an international group of scholars. The book includes both a comprehensive bibliography of Osiek's work as well as a brief introduction by the editors reflecting on their experiences with her during her career.Contributors:David Balch Jeremy W. BarrierTerri Bednarz, R.S.M.Laurie Brink, O.P.Warren CarterAdela Yarbro CollinsAmy-Jill LevineMargaret Y. MacDonaldJason L. MerrittHalvor MoxnesBarbara Reid, O.P.David RhoadsDonald Senior, C.P.Yancy W. Smith

Homosexuality is one of the most hotly debated issues in the church today. This book arises directly out of the current discussion of what the Bible says about the morality of homosexual acts and relationships. Taking up the question from both sides of the debate, twelve biblical scholars, psychologists, and theologians debate the meaning of the scriptural passages on homosexuality -- from Genesis, Leviticus, Romans, and 1 Corinthians -- in light of contemporary scientific and exegetical evidence. Balanced and well reasoned, this volume will help readers constructively engage this pressing, highly sensitive subject.

Typical studies of marriage and family in the early Christian period focus on very limited evidence found in Scripture. This interdisciplinary book offers a broader, richer picture of the first Christian families by drawing together research by experts ranging from archaeologists to ancient historians.

By exploring the nature of households in the ancient Greco-Roman world, the contributors assemble a new understanding of ancient Christian families that is both compelling and instructive. Divided into six parts, the book covers key aspects of ancient family life, from meals and child-rearing to women's roles and the lives of slaves. Three concluding chapters explore the implications of all this information for theological education today.

Contributors: David L. Balch
Suzanne Dixon
J. Albert Harrill
Ross S. Kraemer
Christian Laes
Peter Lampe
Amy-Jill Levine
Margaret Y. MacDonald
Dale Martin
Eric M. Meyers
Margaret M. Mitchell
Carolyn Osiek
Beryl Rawson
Richard Saller
Timothy F. Sedgwick
Monika Trumper
Andrew Wallace-Hadrill

Homosexuality is one of the most hotly debated issues in the church today. This book arises directly out of the current discussion of what the Bible says about the morality of homosexual acts and relationships. Taking up the question from both sides of the debate, twelve biblical scholars, psychologists, and theologians debate the meaning of the scriptural passages on homosexuality -- from Genesis, Leviticus, Romans, and 1 Corinthians -- in light of contemporary scientific and exegetical evidence. Balanced and well reasoned, this volume will help readers constructively engage this pressing, highly sensitive subject.

The world of the Roman Empire offered extensive cultural expectations about how families should live. Some passages from the New Testament reflect these values of social stability, but at the same time, other passages make strong statements that seem to be against the family. What was the family like for the first Christians? How did they combine their family values and their new faith? When there were conflicts between family and faith, how did early Christians make choices between them?

Informed by archaeological work and illustrated by figures and photographs, Families in the New Testament World is a remarkable window into the past, one that both informs and illuminates our current condition.

This insightful volume in the Library of Early Christianity examines the social, political, and economic world of early Christianity.

The Library of Early Christianity is a series of eight outstanding books exploring the Jewish and Greco-Roman contexts in which the New Testament developed.