In the beginning was the meal
Book Description
In the bustling social landscape of ancient Rome, something revolutionary was taking place around dinner tables that would forever change the course of spiritual history. Hal Taussig invites readers on a fascinating exploration of how early Christian communities emerged from the vibrant meal culture of the Augustan era, where shared food became a catalyst for profound social transformation.
Drawing on extensive scholarship in ancient meal practices, Taussig reveals how common dining experiences in the Greco-Roman world became laboratories for challenging established norms around gender, class, and social hierarchy. Within this atmosphere of experimentation and innovation, the earliest Christian gatherings took root, developing their distinctive "love feasts" and communal suppers that would eventually evolve into the Eucharist.
Through careful ritual analysis and rich comparative study, this work illuminates the social dynamics that shaped nascent Christianity. Taussig demonstrates how these ancient meal practices created spaces where traditional boundaries dissolved and new forms of community could flourish. The author skillfully connects these historical insights to contemporary Christian practice, offering fresh perspectives on how shared meals continue to build spiritual community today.
For readers seeking to understand the deeper roots of Christian tradition and the power of communal gathering, this scholarly yet accessible work provides valuable insights into how the simple act of eating together became foundational to one of the world's major spiritual movements.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~7 hours)
📄 Length: 262 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Mat- och dryckesseder
- ✓ Explore Church history, primitive and early church, ca. 30-600
- ✓ Explore Rituals
- ✓ Explore Mat och dryck
- ✓ Explore Kristendomen
- ✓ Explore Fasts and feasts
- ✓ Explore Religiösa aspekter
- ✓ Explore Religious aspects of Dinners and dining
