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New Books in Library Science

David G. Hunter et al., "Brill Encyclopedia of Early Christianity: Authors, Texts, and Ideas" (Brill, 2024)

Jan 8, 2025
David G. Hunter, the Margaret O'Brien Flatley Chair of Catholic Theology at Boston College, discusses the creation of the Brill Encyclopedia of Early Christianity, a groundbreaking six-volume resource. He shares insights from his 40 years in early Christian studies, highlighting collaborative challenges and the integration of diverse texts. The conversation explores early Christian debates, the influence of regional languages like Coptic and Syriac, and the revolutionary impact of the encyclopedia on modern scholarship, offering a fresh perspective on foundational Christian ideas.
52:00

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Quick takeaways

  • The Brill Encyclopedia of Early Christianity presents a unified approach that bridges New Testament studies with early Christian literature, emphasizing their interconnectedness.
  • The collaborative editing process involved over 600 contributors, enriching the encyclopedia with specialized knowledge across various fields, including liturgy and art.

Deep dives

The Vision Behind the Encyclopedia

The project aims to create a comprehensive reference work that bridges the study of the New Testament with early Christian literature, overcoming the traditional separation between the two. It recognizes that some early Christian texts may predate New Testament writings, challenging the perception of a strict hierarchy between them. The encyclopedia presents a unified approach to early Christianity, promoting a broader understanding of the development of Christian thought and the historical context in which it evolved. This vision reflects a shift in scholarly perspectives, emphasizing the interconnectedness of early Christian texts and their historical significance.

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