Pagan Readers of Christian Scripture: the Role of Books in Early Autobiographical Conversion Narratives
Most scholars agree that "pagans" did not read Christian scripture. This critical consensus, however, places inordinate weight on a decontextualized quotation from Tertullian and neglects a body of evidence to the contrary. In particular, the role of books in early autobiographical convers...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Brill
[2019]
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| In: |
Vigiliae Christianae
Year: 2019, Volume: 73, Issue: 5, Pages: 481-506 |
| IxTheo Classification: | AB Philosophy of religion; criticism of religion; atheism KAB Church history 30-500; early Christianity RH Evangelization; Christian media |
| Further subjects: | B
book culture
B Conversion B Early Christian Mission B Reception History |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (Resolving-System) Volltext (doi) |
| Summary: | Most scholars agree that "pagans" did not read Christian scripture. This critical consensus, however, places inordinate weight on a decontextualized quotation from Tertullian and neglects a body of evidence to the contrary. In particular, the role of books in early autobiographical conversion narratives suggests that early Christian authors and copyists could sometimes work with a reasonable expectation of pagan readership. Against traditional notions of the restricted appeal and circulation of Christian literature, pagan and Christian sources alike indicate that Christian writings found an audience among philo-barbarian thinkers and that certain Christians promoted their books in pagan circles. |
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| ISSN: | 1570-0720 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Vigiliae Christianae
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1163/15700720-12341396 |