How a seventh-century monk drew up a blueprint for modern international humanitarian law.
Articles on Early Christianity
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There is no such thing as ‘Judeo-Christian values’. The term hides essential differences between Judaism and Christianity.
Paintings of early Christian saints were designed to show worshippers what sacred authority looked like, using books, clothing and gestures as symbols.
The Christian apocrypha, texts not included in the Bible, include stories of Jesus’ female followers – including St. Thecla.
Discovered in Egypt in 1952, this 1700-year-old book stands as a key example of the birth of Christian literature and culture – including the rise of antisemitism.
Ideas about resurrection had been developing for centuries before Jesus’ life, but his followers took them in new directions.
A formidable woman born in the second half of the fourth century and widowed at around 17, Olympias was not afraid to advocate for herself – or her friends.
The ‘Shepherd of Hermas’ has been accused of being pedantic, even boring. In the first few centuries of Christianity, though, it was a hit.
Catholics, Protestants and Eastern Orthodox Christians recognize the authority of the ‘fathers’ to guide teaching on doctrinal issues.
Although many modern people tend to see ‘magic’ and ‘religion’ as separate, magic was actually integral to the development of Christianity.
The story of the ‘Cadaver Synod’ tells us that in some cases, even the departed can be held to account.
Recent archaeological studies suggest that early Christians were identifying important sites as little as a century after the last of the gospels.
The history of early Christianity shows the power of the Bible used as a sign of resistance against repression at the hands of the Romans.
The latest film from the wizarding world JK Rowling echoes ancient themes of covens and devil worship.
An expert explains how a complex set of canon laws and trials are the major obstacle to holding priests accountable. The power to take action is often vested in the Vatican.
Different cultural groups respond with numerous, often conflicting, answers to questions about life after death. An expert explains the Christian idea of heaven.
We disapprove of distraction and consider attention as being valuable. What if they were, in fact, morally charged words, referring to the same behavior? Here’s what early Christian monks thought.
Top contributors
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Teaching Fellow in Medieval Studies, University of Leeds
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Professor Emerita of Religious Studies, College of the Holy Cross
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Chair professor, University of Nevada, Reno
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Associate Professor, University of California, Berkeley
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Associate Professor of Art History, Rice University
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Assistant Professor of Early Christianity, Virginia Tech
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Senior Lecturer in History, University of Aberdeen
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Professor of Archaeology and History, University of Reading
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Cadbury Professor of Theology, University of Birmingham
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Associate Professor of the History of Early Christianity, Southern Methodist University
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Senior Lecturer in Biblical and Religious Studies, University of Sheffield
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Research Fellow in Biblical and Early Christian Studies, Australian Catholic University
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Associate Professor of Christianity, University of Denver
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Assistant Professor of New Testament, Santa Clara University
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Advising Fellow and Lecturer, University of Virginia