Gerd Ludemann is a professor of the history and literature of early Christianity at the University of Goettingen, Germany. Professor Ludemann's published conclusions about Christianity aroused great controversy in his native Germany, where the Confederation of Protestant Churches in Lower Saxony demanded his immediate dismissal from the theological faculty of his university. Despite this threat to his academic freedom, he has retained his post at the university, although the chair he holds was renamed to disassociate him from the training program of German pastors. Ludemann is also the author of Jesus After 2000 Years, Paul: The Founder of Christianity, and The Resurrection of Christ: A Historical Inquiry.
Description
Tolerance in the Old Testament, Judaism and the Greco-Roman World at the Time of the New Testament Writings; The Second Letter to the Thessalonians; The Second and Third Letters of John; The First and Second Letters to Timothy, and the Letter to Titus; The Letter of Jude and the Second Letter of Peter; Epilogue: Intolerance, Gospel, Church.
Reviews
""Tolerance or intolerance? Which of the two is promoted by the New Testament? And why? Only a close reading of the early sources can answer these questions. And only an independent expert can do this job. Ludemann's exegesis is impeccable, and the answer he comes up with is as straightforward as it is convincing: the representatives of the early church followed Jewish monotheists in their intolerance toward unbelievers and heretics. A fascinating book to read and to ponder." Dr. BERNHARD LANG Professor of Religious Studies, University of Paderborn Germany Honorary Professor of Divinity, University of St. Andrews, UK Editor of the International Review of Biblical Studies "This fascinating and probing book shows tolerance and intolerance delicately balanced between theological inquiry and historical investigation regarding the New Testament....A solid and compelling piece of scholarship, the book often reads as an apologetic treatise, with Ludemann engaging what he sees as an incongruousness between religious pluralism, which champions tolerance, and the biblical text, which is inherently intolerant....Certain to fire up debate, this work is recommended for theological and academic libraries." LIBRARY JOURNAL