<i>Sōtēria</i>: Salvation in Early Christianity and Antiquity

Book Description

This comprehensive scholarly exploration delves into one of Christianity's most fundamental concepts: salvation. Through the collaborative efforts of an international team of researchers, this volume examines how early Christian communities understood and articulated their beliefs about spiritual deliverance and redemption.

The book traces the development of salvation concepts across multiple traditions and time periods. Readers will discover how early Christians drew from and transformed existing Jewish and Greco-Roman ideas about divine rescue and spiritual transformation. The authors investigate salvation themes within New Testament narratives, exploring how the stories of Jesus' life and ministry shaped emerging Christian understanding of redemption.

Beyond biblical texts, the volume extends into the broader cultural landscape of antiquity. Contributors analyze salvation concepts in the Hebrew Bible, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the Septuagint translation, while also examining how popular Greco-Roman literature and philosophy influenced early Christian thought. The research encompasses diverse sources, from the Apostolic Fathers to early Christian inscriptions, revealing how salvation theology evolved in different communities.

For those interested in understanding how spiritual concepts develop within historical contexts, this work offers valuable insights into the ancient foundations of Christian soteriology. The book demonstrates how early believers grappled with questions of divine grace, human transformation, and ultimate spiritual destiny that continue to resonate with seekers today.

This scholarly tribute honors the academic contributions of New Testament scholar Cilliers Breytenbach while advancing our understanding of salvation's rich theological heritage.