Waters, Ian; McGuckin, Robert The following document has been produced to assist priests and deacons of the Latin Catholic Church in their parish pastoral ministry. It does not attempt to be a scholarly or technical treatment. Often, as regards questions about marriage, a canonist will need to be consulted.

The volume discusses the key documents, authors, themes and Early Christian traditions in succinct articles by eminent experts (including the Editors). The main 6 sections of the volume trace the vital trajectories of emerging distinctive Christian identity in the Graeco-Roman world and diversities of theologies. Special attention is given to the coherent growth of Christian faith in connection with worship, alongside the crucial transformation of Christian life and doctrine under the Christian Emperor. In addition, readers interested in systematic theology are (...) offered chapters on the roots of some significant theological notions in Christian Antiquity, also with reference to ancient philosophy. The team of editors invited leading scholars from various international academic centres to contribute their comments based on their research and teaching. The book finishes with appendices and indexes giving information on biblical references, updated publications, electronic resources and classified bibliographies. (shrink)