Bible
Christian Life in the Greco-Roman City The Civic and Architectural Contexts of Early Christianity Jason Borges Foreword by David A. deSilva
In this fascinating book, Jason Borges offers an original and engaging analysis of life in the Greco-Roman city as seen through its public spaces. Drawing on primary sources and archeological evidence, he explores how seven key civic structures—the agora, temple, bath, prison, theater, library, and cemetery—shaped the lives, writings, and theology of early Christians. From lively agoras to magnificent temples and luxurious baths, civic buildings were more than just physical settings for everyday life; they were spaces imbued with social and political meaning. Informed by the author’s research and his experience leading tours to ancient sites, this book explores how early Christians interacted with and understood their urban environment. The result is fresh insight into the cultural background of the New Testament and other early Christian writings. Each chapter explains a specific structure, provides an extant example, and discusses its significance for reading the New Testament. The book includes black and white images, informative diagrams, and a foreword by David A. deSilva. This helpful supplementary textbook illuminates the architectural and civic background of the New Testament and early Christianity so that readers can better understand the writings and theology of early Christians. “It is a brilliant idea for Borges to conduct his readers on a tour of civic structures in the ancient city to explain not just their archi- tecture but their function and social significance in everyday life. The early Christian social environment comes alive in a wholly fresh way. I thoroughly recommend this book—well-researched, clearly written, and excellently illustrated.” —John M. G. Barclay, Durham University (emeritus) “Blending his academic training as a church historian with his personal experiences living in Asia Minor, Borges shows us the New Testament world through its buildings. With each chap- ter—whether discussing temples, prisons, or theaters—Borges becomes your perfect personal tour guide.” —E. Randolph Richards, Palm Beach Atlantic University (emeritus); author of Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes “A well-researched, amply documented, and user-friendly book that helps the modern reader easily imagine what life was like for the earliest Christians living in the Greco-Roman world. A valuable resource for layperson and scholar alike!” —Jeffrey A. D. Weima, Calvin Theological Seminary
FEBRUARY 2026 • 248 pp. • $27.99p • 9781540968852
Jason Borges (PhD, Durham University) is associate director of the Asia Minor Research Center in Antalya, Turkey. He has traveled extensively to biblical sites throughout the Mediterranean world, conducting research and leading study tours, and has lived in Turkey since 2017.
9
Made with FlippingBook. PDF to flipbook with ease