Jonathan Knight's Christian Origins expands the horizons of anyone who reads it with a comprehensive account of the emergence of Christianity as we know it today. Beginning with Jesus' Jewish background and his teachings, he examines them in comparison with different Jewish factions at the time, identifying ultimately that eschatology is the common link to Jesus’ teaching. Knight presents this apocalyptic agenda as the key of early Christian belief, and uses this as a lens through which to view the development of the Early Church, the writings of Paul and the further growth of the Church.

In examining the birth of Christianity Knight alights on such crucial and intriguing issues as the Synoptic Problem, the historical figure of Jesus and the authorship of the Pauline epistles. These widespread investigations lead him to an enlightening examination of Pauline ethics and the development of sacramental understanding and Christian ministry, propelling the book beyond a basic exegetical reflection to a breathtaking demonstration of the foundations of a major world faith.

Part One: From Judaism to Jesus

1. About Christian Origins
2. The Nature of the Sources
3. In Search of Ancient Israel
4. The God of Ancient Israel
5. The Interpretation of Scripture
6. The Synagogue
7. The Temple
8. Jewish Parties
9. Diaspora Judaism

10. Jewish Eschatological Hope

    Part Two: Jesus and His Mission

11. An Approach to Jesus
12. A Brief History of Jesus
13. The Message of Jesus
14. Who Did Jesus Think That He Was?
15. The Trial of Jesus

16. The Resurrection of Jesus

    Part Three: Paul and His Christian Beginnings

17. On Paul the Apostle
18. Christianity before Paul
19. The Writings of Paul
20. Paul and Christian salvation
21. Paul and the Future

22. Pauline Ethics

    Part Four: The Birth of Early Christianity

23. The Eschatological Framework of Christianity
24. The Post-Pauline Writings of the New Testament
25. The Emergence of Beliefs about Jesus
26. The Breach between Christianity and Judaism
27. The Symbols of the Kingdom
28. The Development of the Christian Ministry
29. Early Christian Ethics
30. The Rise of Gnosticism

31. Summary and conclusion

    Appendix: The Gospels as Sources for Jesus

    Notes