This book is a comprehensive survey of the dialogue between pagans, Jews, and Christians in the Roman empire up to the time when Constantine declared himself a Christian. Each chapter is written by a distinguished scholar and is devoted to a single text or group of texts with the aim of identifying the probable audience, the literary milieu, and the circumstances that led to this form of writing.
I. Introduction: Apologetics in the Roman World
II. The Acts of the Apostles as an Apologetic Text
APOLOGETIC AS DRAMATIC FICTION
ACTS IS NOT AN APOLOGETIC DISCOURSE
ACTS IS BUILT AROUND A SERIES OF APOLOGETIC SCENARIOS
APOLOGETIC IN ACTS AND THE NEW TESTAMENT
III. Josephus’ Treatise Against Apion
IV. Talking at Trypho: Christian Apologetic as Anti-Judaism in Justin’s Dialogue with Trypho the Jew
V. Greek Apologists of the Second Century
VI. Latin Christian Apologetics: Minucius Felix, Tertullian, and Cyprian
VII. Origen’s Treatise Against Celsus
VIII. Defending Hellenism: Philostratus, In Honour of Apollonius - INTRODUCTION
FROM PHILOSTRATUS TO APOLLONIUS
APOLLONIUS AND RELIGIOUS CHANGE
IX. The Flowering of Latin Apologetic: Lactantius and Arnobius
THE AUTHORS AND THEIR SITUATION
RHETORIC AND THE DEFENCE OF CHRISTIANITY
X. Eusebius’ Apologetic Writings - INTRODUCTION
EUSEBIUS' USAGE OF THE TERM APOLOGIA
XI. The Constantinian Circle and the Oration to the Saints