The Social Origins of Christian Architecture: Building God's House in the Roman World : Architectural Adaptation Among Pagans, Jews, and Christians

by L. Michael White

"[White's] judicious blend of archaeological remains, textual evidence, religious philosophies, and Roman social history... An enthusiastic, well-written presentation measured with erudition and sound research."--Classical World.

Genres: Nonfiction

211 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1990

About the author

L. Michael White is Ronald Nelson Smith Chair in Classics and Christian Origins and is the director of the Institute for the Study of Antiquity and Christian Origins at the University of Texas at Austin. He is the author of From Jesus to Christianity and was featured in two award-winning PBS Frontline documentaries, "From Jesus to Christ: The First Christians" and "Apocalypse!," for which he also served as principal historical consultant and co-writer. He also directs ongoing archaeological excavations of one of the oldest Greco-Roman synagogues at Ostia, Italy.

Reviews

[Michael Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating look at the archaeological evidence for the roughly 300-year transition from house churches to domus ecclesiae (homes remodeled to serve as Christian meeting places)to aula ecclesiae (dedicated buildings for Christian worship) to the basilica in the time of Constantine, with helpful background on pagan centers of worship and the Jewish synagogue. Brief but helpful remarks in the conclusion on the social background of these changes.