The Christians as the Romans Saw Them
Robert Louis Wilken, The Christians as the Romans Saw Them (Yale University Press, 2003)
Summary: A fascinating 1984 volume published with a new preface. Original, detailed, and interesting—with evidence marshaled expertly and adroitly argued.
Key Quote: "That Christianity became the object of criticism by the best philosophical minds of the day at the same time when Christians were forging an intellectual tradition of their own was a powerful factor in setting Christian thought on a sound course. Christian theology took shape in dialogue and discussion with alternative points of view." - p. 200
Bottom Line: Read this book if you're broadly familiar with Christianity and would like to see how they were perceived by educated Roman elites in the religion's earliest centuries.
