Innovation and Appropriation in Early Christian Literature

Authors, Topics, Texts, Genres

Contributions by Oda Wischmeyer Contributions by Eve-Marie Becker Contributions by Sigurvin Lárus Jónsson Contributions by Susanne Luther Contributions by Jacob P.B. Mortensen Contributions by Jörg Rüpke Contributions by Anders Klostergaard Petersen Contributions by Bruno Bleckmann Contributions by Henriette Van der Blom Contributions by Lutz Doering Contributions by **Greg Sterling Contributions by Michael Tilly Contributions by Erich Benjamin Pracht Contributions by Christina Hoegen-Rohls Contributions by Kasper Bro Larsen Contributions by Sylvie Honigman Contributions by Christoph Hammann Contributions by John S. Kloppenborg Contributions by Holger Strutwolf Contributions by Sean Adams Contributions by Francesca Minonne Contributions by Teresa Morgan Contributions by Bronwen Neil Edited by Sigurvin Lárus Jónsson Edited by Susanne Luther Edited by Jacob P.B. Mortensen Series edited by Eve-Marie Becker Series edited by Ole Davidsen Series edited by Jan Dochhorn Series edited by Kasper Bro Larsen Series edited by Nils Arne Pedersen

Book cover: Innovation and Appropriation in Early Christian Literature

Extent: 702 pages

Publisher: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht

Subjects: Religious Studies

Language: English

Hardback (Published)

(May 2026)

ISBN: 9783525500637

6.3 x 9.25 inches

Price: $150.00

In stock

Early Christian authors combined literary forms. Their literary works are therefore comparable to both Jewish and Greco-Roman contemporary writings, but they adopt, modify and transform literary conventions according to their interests to communicate their message showing signs of literary creativity. This volume shows the innovative aspect of early Christian literature, by integrating adjacent fields of research as ancient history, classical studies, Jewish studies, patristics and religious studies. The analyses explore how and why early Christian literature unexpectedly established itself as a literary force in the early imperium.


The rise of early Christianity was accompanied by a period of impressive literary production. Early Christian authors combined literary forms from Greco-Roman writings with the style and content of Hellenistic Jewish literature to create a tertium quid. Their literary works are therefore comparable to both Jewish and Greco-Roman contemporary writings, but they adopt, modify and transform literary conventions according to their needs and interests to communicate their message showing signs of literary innovation and creativity. This volume shows the innovative aspect of early Christian literature, by integrating adjacent fields of research as ancient history, classical studies, Jewish studies, patristics and religious studies. The analyses explore how and why early Christian literature unexpectedly established itself as a literary force in the early imperium.

  • Contributions by Oda Wischmeyer
  • Contributions by Eve-Marie Becker
  • Contributions by Sigurvin Lárus Jónsson
  • Contributions by Susanne Luther
  • Contributions by Jacob P.B. Mortensen
  • Contributions by Jörg Rüpke
  • Contributions by Anders Klostergaard Petersen
  • Contributions by Bruno Bleckmann
  • Contributions by Henriette Van der Blom
  • Contributions by Lutz Doering
  • Contributions by **Greg Sterling
  • Contributions by Michael Tilly
  • Contributions by Erich Benjamin Pracht
  • Contributions by Christina Hoegen-Rohls
  • Contributions by Kasper Bro Larsen
  • Contributions by Sylvie Honigman
  • Contributions by Christoph Hammann
  • Contributions by John S. Kloppenborg
  • Contributions by Holger Strutwolf
  • Contributions by Sean Adams
  • Contributions by Francesca Minonne
  • Contributions by Teresa Morgan
  • Contributions by Bronwen Neil
  • Edited by Sigurvin Lárus Jónsson
  • Edited by Susanne Luther
  • Edited by Jacob P.B. Mortensen
  • Series edited by Eve-Marie Becker
  • Series edited by Ole Davidsen
  • Series edited by Jan Dochhorn
  • Series edited by Kasper Bro Larsen
  • Series edited by Nils Arne Pedersen