Pagan Readers of Christian Scripture
The Role of Books in Early Autobiographical Conversion Narratives
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 4063470 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Ian N Mills (Duke University Durham, NC United States), Ian Mills (0000-0002-4359-8642, Duke University, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2019 |
| Volume | 73 |
| Issue | 5 |
| Pages | 481-506 |
| Publication date | 2019-10-09 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Vigiliae Christianae (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0042-6032 • E-ISSN: 1570-0720 |
| Publisher | Walter de Gruyter GmbH (PUBLISHER • DE) |
| DOI | 10.1163/15700720-12341396 |
| OpenAlex | W2980671297 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 3 |
Most scholars agree that "pagans" did not read Christian scripture. This critical consensus, however, places inordinate weight on a decontextualized quotation from Tertullian and neglects a body of evidence to the contrary. In particular, the role of books in early autobiographical conversion narratives suggests that early Christian authors and copyists could sometimes work with a reasonable expectation of pagan readership. Against traditional notions of the restricted appeal and circulation of Christian literature, pagan and Christian sources alike indicate that Christian writings found an audience among philo-barbarian thinkers and that certain Christians promoted their books in pagan circles
Ancient history · Appeal · Art · Audience measurement · Barbarian · Biblical studies · Literature · Narrative · History · Law · Linguistics and language evolution · Medieval Literature and History · Philosophy · Religious Studies and Spiritual Practices
| Unique citing works | 3 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,6 |
| Citation span | 2021 - 2026 (6) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 3 |