Early Christian Ritual Life

Scholars across many fields have come to realize that ritual is an integral element of human life and a vital aspect of all human societies. Yet, this realization has been slow to develop among scholars of early Christianity. Early Christian Ritual Life attempts to counteract the undervaluing of ritual by placing it at the forefront of early Christian life. Rather than treating ritual in isolation or in a fragmentary way, this book examines early Christian ritual life as a whole. The authors explore an array of Christian ritual activity, employing theory critically and explicitly to make sense of various ritual behaviors and their interconnections. Written by leading experts in their fields, this collection is divided into three parts:

? Interacting with the Divine

? Group Interactions

? Contesting and Creating Ritual Protocols.

This book is ideal for religious studies students seeking an introduction to the dynamic research areas of ritual studies and early Christian practice.

Introduction. With Respect to Ritual. Richard E. DeMaris. Part I: Interacting with the Divine. Chapter 1: Honoring the Divine. Jonathan Schwiebert. Chapter 2: Accessing Divine Power and Status. Steven C. Muir. Chapter 3: Accessing Divine Knowledge. Ritva H. Williams. Part II: Group Interactions. Chapter 4: Boundary-Crossing in Christian Baptism. Agnes Choi. Chapter 5: Rituals for Communal Maintenance. Erin K. Vearncombe. Chapter 6: Early Christian Funerary Ritual. Nicola Hayward. Part III: Contesting and Creating Ritual Protocols. Chapter 7: Ritual Negotiation. Jason T. Lamoreaux. Chapter 8: Ritual Transgression. Richard E. DeMaris. Chapter 9: Ritual Modification and Innovation. Richard S. Ascough. Conclusion. Steps Forward in the Study of Early Christian Ritual Life. Hal Taussig.

Richard E. DeMaris is a Senior Research Professor at Valparaiso University, USA and a specialist in New Testament studies.

Jason T. Lamoreaux is an Adjunct Professor at Texas Christian University, USA. His research focuses on the social contexts of early Christianity.

Steven C. Muir is a Professor at Concordia University of Edmonton, Canada and a specialist in early Christianity in the Greco-Roman world.