Heretics : the other side of early Christianity / Gerd Lüdemann ; translated by John Bowden.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Lüdemann, Gerd

Standardized Title:

Ketzer. English

Language:

English

German

Subjects (All):

Christian heresies--History--Early church, ca. 30-600.

Christian heresies.

History.

Physical Description:

xvi, 335 pages ; 23 cm

Edition:

First American edition.

Place of Publication:

Louisville, Ky. : Westminster John Knox Press, 1996.

Summary:

Gerd Ludemann argues that the time from the first Christian communities to the end of the second century was not a period of great harmony, but was defined by struggles by various groups for doctrinal authority. Drawing on a wealth of data, he asserts that the losers in the struggle actually represented Christianity in its more authentic, original form. Since Orthodoxy has been defined by the victors in this struggle, it is the silenced alternative views that have been labeled "heretical". Ludemann's findings are important as well as liberating for understanding both Christianity and the Bible. Readers will gain a new understanding of Jesus and the early church from this compelling and controversial book.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 322-328) and indexes.

ISBN:

0664220851

OCLC:

34752098