In the Fullness of Time: A Historian Looks at Christmas, Easter, and the Early Church

by Paul L. Maier

Book Overview

In one richly illustrated volume, Paul Maier's classic trilogy on the origins of Christianity takes the reader back to the first Christmas, the First Easter, and the First Christians. Dr. Maier uses... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060654007
• ISBN13: 9780060654009
• Release Date: January 1991
• Publisher: HarperOne
• Length: 365 Pages
• Weight: 1.71 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.5" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

A Must read.

Pail Maier, a expert in ancient history, has written a great book. from my understanding is that, this book was three different books now put into one. If you are a new Christian, you need this book. If you read this book as a new believer, you will have a better grasp of the background of the NT in reading this book, than going to a expositional preaching church for two years. It will lay a great foundation for your walk with the living Christ. If you a long time believer, and have not read this book, you should, for it will open your eyes, to the NT. Dr. Maier goes into the Christmas story, Easter Sunday and the early church. Great book.

Food for Thought

This is a tremendous book which provides insightful analysis based upon hard facts. If nothing else, this book will get you thinking about the practical reality of the foundations of the Biblical message. The book provides a means of evaluating various Biblical stories from a unique perspective. While true belief does not require a foundation of historical fact ( from this world, anyways ! ), I found it comforting that many of the people, places, and events described in the Bible certainly could have existed as told. One of the more interesting themes is why God chose that particular time and place of human history to bring about the completion of the Old Testament Scriptures !

Easy, captivating read of three important World Events

Maier is one of the significant historians of Christ and the apostles. He demonstrates his intense research into the topics by the simplicity with which he writes about them. He makes them so interesting. As an example to whet your appetite, I was astounded that there is actual historical evidence of "arrest notices" (what might in our time be "Post Office Wanted Posters) for Jesus' arrest.What was initially three=volumes has now been published in this one, making for great reading and giving. You'll be amazed at the historicity of these events as Maier documents them for us in thorough classical research with footnotes and bibliography provided.

Faith and facts -- happily together

Dr. Maier presents a readable & well-documented account of some of the major historical events of Christianity. Using both Scripture and other contemporary texts of that time period, Maier puts forth compelling evidence supporting the chronology of the events & the participants of the first Christmas, the first Holy Week, and other events. For those who think "you have to check your brain at the door to have Faith," Dr. Maier shows that a Chrsitan and a scholar can truly be the same person.