RT Book T1 Christ's associations: connecting and belonging in the ancient city A1 Kloppenborg, John S. 1951- LA English PP New Haven, CT PB Yale University Press YR 2020 UL https://ixtheo.de/Record/1690216085 AB A groundbreaking investigation of early Christ groups in the ancient Mediterranean As an urban movement, the early groups of Christ followers came into contact with the many small groups in Greek and Roman antiquity. Organized around the workplace, a deity, a diasporic identity, or a neighborhood, these associations gathered in small face-to-face meetings and provided the principal context for cultic and social interactions for their members. Unlike most other groups, however, about which we have data on their rules of membership, financial management, and organizational hierarchy, we have very little information about early Christ groups. Drawing on data about associative practices throughout the ancient world, this innovative study offers new insight into the structure and mission of the early Christ groups. John S. Kloppenborg situates the Christ associations within the broader historical context of the ancient Mediterranean and reveals that they were probably smaller than previously believed and did not have a uniform system of governance, and that the attraction of Christ groups was based more on practice than theological belief AB Frontmatter -- CONTENTS -- Preface -- A Note on Locations -- Epigraphic Conventions -- Acknowledgments -- List of Abbreviations -- Introduction -- One. A World of Associations -- Two. Modeling Christ Assemblies -- Three. Visualizing Christ Assemblies: Size and Space -- Four. Belonging -- Five. Christ Assemblies in the Urban Economy -- Six. The Social Level of Christ Assemblies -- Seven. Meals -- Eight. The Collection -- Nine. Funerals -- Ten. Living in the City: Imitation and Ambivalence -- Eleven. Getting in, Falling Away -- Conclusion -- Glossary -- Notes -- Bibliography -- Index of Ancient Associations -- General Index OP 512 NO restricted access online access with authorization star CN D51-95 SN 9780300249309 K1 Church History : Primitive and early church, ca. 30-600 K1 Church History K1 RELIGION / Christian Church / History DO 10.12987/9780300249309