This book is a treasure -- an excellent place for new students to start and a valuable reference if you already know plenty. A clearly written, readable roundup of modern New Testament scholarship by a giant in the field.

Includes the history of who wrote what, when -- and who copied from whom. Not just the canonical books, but also Q, the Gospels of Thomas, Hebrews, etc. etc. Wow.

Also details the history of which sects developed in each region, when. Not what you learned in Sunday school.

Highly recommended for any serious student.

Available at Amazon .com.

The ancient evidence shows the first Christian evangelism was based on miracle working and miracle healing -- basically saying 'My God is stronger than your Gods.'  By the end of this period about ten percent of the Empire was Christian. 

By a famous Yale historian, an essential text for serious students. Highly recommended for serious students.

Available at Amazon .com.

Continues the story of Christianizing the Roman Empire with a solid scholarly look at the reasons Pagans converted to Christianity in the period after Christianity took over the central government of the Roman Empire. 

Christian Roman Emperors outlawed Pagan ceremonies, taxed Pagan temples, and gave Christian Romans preferences in official advancement. By the end of this period everyone was Christian and the Empire was gone. 

By a famous Yale historian. Highly recommended for serious students.

Available at Amazon .com.

Do you know the oldest surviving manuscript for John? How about Mark, Matthew, Luke? When were each of the gospels first mentioned by another Christian writer? What is the evidence about who wrote them?

A well written, readable, but extremely technical scholarly analysis of the early Christian writings. Too detailed for beginners, but a fascinating read for advanced students and an excellent reference.

Available at Amazon .com.