Synopsis: This stimulating collection of essays by prominent scholars honors Carolyn Osiek. The essays reflect her career and attempt to pay tribute to both the unity and the diversity of her accomplishments. The authors interpret early Christians in their social world and women in early Christianity, with interpretations spanning the New Testament and early church documents. The editors have brought together an international group of scholars. The book includes both a comprehensive bibliography of Osiek's work as well as a brief introduction by the editors reflecting on their experiences with her during her career. Contributors: David Balch Jeremy W. Barrier Terri Bednarz, R.S.M. Laurie Brink, O.P. Warren Carter Adela Yarbro Collins Amy-Jill Levine Margaret Y. MacDonald Jason L. Merritt Halvor Moxnes Barbara Reid, O.P. David Rhoads Donald Senior, C.P. Yancy W. Smith Endorsements: "Dr. Carolyn Osiek has pursued a significant career as a pioneering woman scholar in a field formerly dominated by men. Lyn's perceptive work on The Shepherd of Hermas, the social study of ancient families, or women in the early Christian church has made a lasting contribution. This rich collection of essays, by many notable scholarly peers and former students, will both enlighten the reader and honor the many substantive contributions of Professor Osiek." --Douglas Oakman Pacific Lutheran University, "This insightful and diverse collection of essays is a fitting tribute to a scholar and teacher who has contributed so much to our understanding of the social worlds and literatures of early Christianity. Carolyn Osiek has helped her colleagues and students to imagine--thoughtfully and precisely--ancient people and their daily lives. This book honours her by following her careful scholarly practice, opening up new questions and ideas to explore." --Alicia Batten University of Sudbury "In a series of well-crafted essays that are provocative, captivating, challenging, and ground-breaking, this book addresses themes that long have fruitfully occupied the research agenda of Carolyn Osiek, R.S.C.J. In a diversified but coherent set of chapters, Roman visualization of feminine values, translation as performance, Matthew's God presiding over a cosmic household and the imperial depiction of the emperor as Father presiding over a nation, a man's place in the construction of gender, vengeance-seeking biblical widows, symposiac humor, early-church women, and early-church families, are effectively addressed. This marvelous collection deserves to be broadly read and frequently cited." --Dietmar Neufe, University of British Columbia Editor Biographies: David Balch is Professor of New Testament at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary. He is author of numerous works, including Roman Domestic Art and Early House Churches (2008). Jason T. Lamoreaux is a doctoral candidate at Brite Divinity School.
