Among the striking features which distinguish this comprehensive two-volume work from other books of similar titles are its wide historical scope, its treatment of early Christian literature in chronological sequence, and the inclusion of over sixty noncanonical Christian documents. Volume I surveys not only the political and religious history of the Hellenistic and early Roman imperial periods, but also discusses the economy, social world, and literature of both the pagan world and Judaism. Volume II, after considering problems related to the interpretation of early Christian writings (transmission, canon, text, form criticism, literary criticism), unfolds the story of the early Christian communities and their literature from John the Baptist and Jesus to Justin Martyr, Valentinus, and Polycarp. Along with twenty-seven writings of the New Testament, the apocryphal Gospels, writings from the Nag Hammadi Library, the Apostolic Fathers, and early Apologists, as well as exact detailed information about authors, dates, places, and issues, take their places of relative importance.

This narrative of the developments in early Christianity and its backgrounds, written in a readable, non-technical style, is supplemented by bibliographies for each selection which include listings of the best editions of original texts as well as the most accessible English translations, many charts and maps, numerous halftones, a glossary, and a detailed index so that these two volumes can also be used as a general reference work. The book is an essential work for students, teachers, and clergy, but will also appeal to the educated layperson who is interested in a scholarly treatment of the New Testament and its background in the Jewish and Greco-Roman world.