Dealing with a time when "Christians" were moving towards separation from the movement's Jewish origins, this inaugural volume of A People's History of Christianity tells "the people's story" by gathering together evidence from the New Testament texts, archaeology, and other contemporary sources. Of particular interest to the distinguished group of scholar-contributors are the often overlooked aspects of the earliest "Christian" How, for example, did they manage to negotiate allegiances to two social groups? How did they deal with crucial issues of wealth and poverty? What about the participation of slaves and women in these communities? How did living in the shadow of the Roman Empire color their religious experience and economic values?

The particular excitement of this volume lies in its focus on the everyday realities of Christians' lives in the era of Christian ascendancy and Roman decline. Popular fiction, childrearing and toys, rituals of inclusion, the beginning of veneration of saints and shunning of heretics, the ascetic impulse, food practices—all these and more lend color and texture to the story of a "people's" Christianity in this formative stage. With Burrus, contributors include: Kimberly Bowes, Elizabeth A. Clark, Charlotte Elisheva Fonrobert, David Frankfurther, Cornelia B. Horn, Robin M. Jensen, Rebecca Lyman, Andrew MacGowan, Harry O. Maier, Judith Perkins, Dennis Trout, Robin Darling Young.

This third volume in the pioneering A People's History of Christianity series focuses on the religious lives of ordinary people and introduces the religion of the Byzantine Christian laity by asking the What did ordinary Christians do in church, in their homes and their workshops? How were icons used? How did the people celebrate, marry, and mourn? Where did they go on pilgrimage? Contributors Derek Krueger, University of North Carolina at Greensboro Vasiliki Limberis, Temple University Georgia Frank, Colgate University James Skedros, Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology Nicholas Constas, Harvard University Sharon Gerstel, University of Maryland Peter Hatlie, Univerity of Dallas at Rome Charles Barber, University of Notre Dame Brigitte Pitarakis, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Paris Alice-Mary Talbot, Dumbarton Oaks Jaclyn Maxwell, Ohio University

The fourth volume in A People's History of Christianity series accents the astounding range of cultural and religious experience within medieval Christianity and the ways in which religious life structured all aspects of the daily lives of ordinary Christians. With ranking scholars from the U.S. and the Continent, this volume explores rituals of birth and death, daily parish life, lay-clerical relations, and relations with Jews and Muslims through a thousand years and many lands. Includes 50 illustrations, maps, and an 8-page color gallery.

Perhaps no period in Christian history experienced such social tumult and upheaval as the Reformation, as it quickly became apparent that social and political issues, finding deep resonance with the common people, were deeply entwined with religious ones raised by the Reformers. Led by eminent Reformation historian Peter Matheson, this volume of A People's History of Christianity explores such topics as child-bearing, a good death, rural and village piety, and more. Includes 50 illustrations, maps, and an 8-page color gallery.

After the Reformation, Christians found themselves living amidst wars of religion, Enlightenment, and colonization. This volume explores the spread of Christianity to lands outside Europe and the Middle East, the new pluralism within Christianity, and the incredible transformation of the Americas and of Christianity in the Americas, including the advent of Evangelical, African American, and Asian Christianities. Includes 50 illustrations, maps, bibliographies, and an 8-page color gallery. In this volume, the way in which lived Christianity and its practices were altered by these global changes is probed by an illustrious group of scholars led by distinguished historian Amanda Porterfield. The contributors Amanda Porterfield, Florida State University John Corrigan, Florida State University Carlos Eire, Yale University Peter Gardella, Manhattanville College Ava Chamberlain, Wright State University Douglas Winiarski, University of Richmond Charles H. Lippy, University of Tennessee Cheryl Kirk-Duggan, Graduate Theological Union Marilyn Westercamp, Merrill College Leo Cavalcanti, University of Richmond Vera Shevzov, Smith College Ronald L.

A specific focus and intent of this final volume of A People's History of Christianity is to delve behind the global phenomenon of Christianity to glimpse some of the very rich and dynamic lifeways within it. Ranging over the whole century and across several continents, the scholars in this volume probe Christians' creative encounters with popular culture, liturgy and spirituality, social change and Marxism, intrareligious and interreligious dialogue, and changes in gender expectations and roles. Includes 50 illustrations, maps, bibliographies, and an 8-page color gallery. Contributors include Mary Farrell Bednarowski; Mercy Oduyoye, Ghana; Patrick Henry, St. John's University; Bruce Forbes, Morningside College; Valerie Demarinis, Upsaala University; Rosetta E. Ross, Spelman College; Ada María Isasi-Díaz, Drew University; Mark Noll, Wheaton College; Ann Pederson, Augustana College; Eleazar Fernández, United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities; Victoria Barnett United States Holocaust Memorial Museum; Margaret Bendroth, American Congregational Association; Oscar Cole-Arnal, Waterloo Lutheran Seminary; Paul Mojzes, Rosemont College; Luis Rivera-Pagán, Princeton Theological Seminary; Ethan Sanders, University of Cambridge; Christina Traina, Northwestern University; Jean-Paul Wiest, University of San Fancisco.