Destroyer of the gods

This is a fascinating survey of the features that made Christianity distinctive in antiquity and so--ultimately--successful. Hurtado discusses the Christian concept of an exclusive veneration of God, the trans-ethnic and trans-local religious identity, the central role of books and learning and distinctive and challenging forms of behavior within their ancient context. The glimpses into the first three centuries may even inspire contemporary Christians to find their identity and negotiate between social assimilation and difference.

~Jörg Frey, Chair of New Testament Studies, University of Zürich

Hurtado sets out to awaken us from our 'cultural amnesia,' to remind us that the origin of Christianity and its remarkable success has more to do with its ability to distinguish itself from other religions in antiquity than to be one with them. Hurtado challenges readers to reconsider what have become common assumptions of religion today--that there is a single God and that religious affiliation is a voluntary choice. Without the distinctive rise of Christianity, none of these would be so.

~April D. DeConick, Chair of the Department of Religion, Rice University

Comprehensive and quietly authoritative, Larry Hurtado's Destroyer of the gods offers its readers a three-centuries' tour of the Christianizing Mediterranean. The sweep of his panorama never sacrifices the liveliness of telling detail. For those who ask, 'What was distinctive about this new religious movement?' Hurtado offers thoughtful answers. Make room for this book, whether on bedside table or in classroom syllabus--or both.

~Paula Fredriksen, Distinguished Visiting Professor of Comparative Religion at the Hebrew University

In this very accessible and readable book, Larry Hurtado shows how really distinct early Christianity was in comparison to its surrounding cultures of Greco-Roman paganism and Judaism. This was not only true for aspects of early Christian life that are somewhat familiar to many of us, such as its stricter sexual code, but even here Hurtado shows that the early Christians took their code 'to the streets' and opposed the double standard of their day. D estroyer of the gods is an exciting read across a wide range of interests in early Christianity coupled with many comparisons to religious life today.

~Jan N. Bremmer, Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies, University of Groningen

In this lucid and wide-ranging book, Larry Hurtado convincingly shows how novel and distinctive early Christianity was in the religious world of the first century. He argues that early Christianity was in many respects a different kind of religion, and was revolutionary in the way that 'religion' has been understood ever since. Along the way, Hurtado sheds much light on the New Testament and on second century Christianity. He hopes to enhance 'our appreciation of the remarkable religious movement' that was early Christianity, and he admirably achieves exactly that.

~Paul Trebilco, Professor of New Testament, University of Otago

Clear and enlightening, Hurtado’s coverage of the first centuries of Christianity explains why it was different, more philosophy than religion, and how its emergence as the supreme religion in the Roman world is less paradoxical than usually argued. This account is the nearest one can get to meeting an early Christian and quizzing them.

~Robin Cormack, Emeritus Professor, Courtauld Institute of Art

Hurtado, emeritus professor of New Testament language, literature, and theology in the School of Divinity at the University of Edinburgh, discusses the history and evolution of ecumenical Christian practices in this elegantly straightforward book...Hurtado does an excellent job of walking readers through...how very odd early Christianity was for its place and time and how it came to overturn and replace ancient systems and beliefs. Hurtado writes with a measured tone and learned authority. Those wishing to know more about early Christianity will find much here.

~Publishers Weekly

Hurtado's book, written to appeal to a wide audience, explains just how odd and objectionable Jesus' followers, their counter-establishment church, and even their writings looked during the first three centuries of the Christian movement.

~The Christian Century

An important scholarly look at the birth of Christianity within the Roman embrace.

~Library Journal

Whether one applauds or disdains the values of contemporary Western culture, what we assume to be good, true, and normal has been shaped to a surprising degree by early Christianity. Demolishing taken-for-granted assumptions about what religion was, is, and can be, Hurtado’s provocative exploration deserves a broad audience.

~Matthew W. Bates, Quincy University, OnScript

Larry Hurtado…reminds us that early Christianity emerged as a profoundly countercultural movement, one that could never be mistaken as mirroring the values of its environment.

~Ronald P. Byars, Presbyterian Outlook

D estroyer of the gods is a very clear and readable book and is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand issues dealt with in early Christian writers, particularly Paul’s letters. I thoroughly recommend it to students of the New Testament and more widely as a reminder that there is a cost to a church which stands out in its social and cultural setting.

~Tim Gill, ANVIL: Journal of Theology and Mission

Hurtado’s clear and well-reasoned voice serves as an authoritative guide through the tangle of earliest Christianity in its Roman environment. From Roman accounts of early Christian oddity to early Christian book culture, Hurtado collects arcane pieces of knowledge that could well serve as material for pub quizzes and amasses them into a plausible and largely compelling analysis. It remains to be seen how someone else will take his work and build upon it.

~Jonathon Lookadoo, Marginalia Review of Books

D estroyer of the Gods is an intriguing and wide-ranging examination of several key features of Christianity that distinguished it from the various religious beliefs and practices common in Greco-Roman society…Given its effectiveness in introducing readers to the distinct aspects of the Christian faith, the volume would serve as a valuable supplementary text for undergraduate or graduate courses in either New Testament or Church History.

~Benjamin Laird, Southeastern Theological Review

Highly recommended for use in local churches and undergraduate courses.

~Ron Lindo, Journal for Baptist Theology and Ministry

D estroyer of the gods is a welcome and important book as it challenges what seems by now have become the mainstream, at least in late antique studies, namely highlighting the similarities between Christianity and other ancient religions and stressing the embeddedness of Christians in the Greco-Roman world.

~Maijastina Kahlos, PLEKOS

Valuable reading at any level of education.

~Edwin Judge, Ancient History: Resources for Teachers

In Destroyer of the Gods: Early Christian Distinctiveness in the Roman World, Larry W. Hurtado provides an in-depth survey of the features that made early Christianity unusual in the Roman world. Hurtado’s exploration of the distinctive features of early Christianity is informative, exciting to read, and enlightening.

~Steven Shisley, Reading Religion

…An admirable discussion of early Christianity partly directed towards an educated lay readership, and one that will invite reactions from scholars of the ancient world and the early church. In moving away from looking simply at Constantine and the victory of Christianity, Hurtado is encouraging us to look deeper and to return to those early writings that shape the Christian faith.

~Anthony Smart, Vigilae Christianae

The volume is well written, contains extensive endnotes, and avoids jargon. Hurtado’s erudition will reward the reader, especially undergraduates and scholars with little or no previous knowledge of scholarship on early Christianity.

~Nickolas P. Roubekas, Religious Studies Review

…Hurtado’s work is not only of historical importance, but also helps Christians today better understand their identity in an increasingly pluralistic world that is decreasingly open to the exclusivist claims of Christian faith.

~Greg Thellman, Kairos

Whether one embraces or demurs from Hurtado’s argument, there is no doubt that the book is elegantly presented and reflects impressive learning. It is perhaps a measure of a good book that it provokes serious reflection on the analytic categories and assumptions that inform contemporary scholarship on "religions" in antiquity and presses us to be clearer on how to describe and redescribe antiquity.

~John S. Kloppenborg, University of Toronto, Bryn Mawr Classical Review

...Accesible to a wide range of readers, who will be indebted to Hurtado's mastery of the source materials and clarity of thought...A masterful account of why Christians from the very beginning were different.

~Andrew Cinnamond, Churchman

Each essay offers its own contribution to research, and the volume as a whole is valuable for researchers and students for studying the history of christological research of the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries both through Hurtado’s original work and through Hurtado’s interaction with other major voices in christological scholarship.

~Kai Akagi, Religious Studies Review