Rethinking Earliest Christianity: Paul’s Christ Groups in their Cultural Contexts Christianity evolved from small, quasi-independent religious groups to become a dominant force in the late Roman empire. Yet in the beginning, these Christ-believing groups were virtually indistinguishable from myriads of other small associations in Roman antiquity. Such groups set up thousands of Greek and Latin inscriptions that reveal much about their membership and organization as well as their social status and aspirations. In this presentation, Prof. Ascough will discuss the implications of research on these associations for understanding the broad religious marketplace of the time that shifts in our paradigm for understanding the place of Christ groups in the Roman world. Professor Richard Ascough’s research focuses on the history of early Christianity and Greco-Roman religious culture with particular attention to various types of associations. He is currently researching the dynamics of religious interaction and community development in small religious associations in the Greco-Roman world. His project is part of a larger movement that is exploring modern theories of Christian origins. He regularly teaches courses on religion in Greek and Roman antiquity, with particular emphasis on the first two centuries of the development of what will come to be called “Christianity.” Not wanting to remain solely in antiquity, he also teaches courses on religion and film and religion and business ethics. He has been honoured for his innovation as an educator through many teaching awards, most recently having been selected for a 3M National Teaching Fellowship (2018), “Canada’s most prestigious recognition of excellence in educational leadership and teaching at the university and college level”. ___________________________________________ Date: Wednesday 27 April 2022 Time: 7.30 – 9pm Venue: Old Warden's Lodge (OWL), Trinity College, 100 Royal Parade, Parkville VIC 3052 | Enter through Gate C RSVP: Tuesday 26 April 2022 Enquiries: Briony O'Halloran | events@trinity.unimelb.edu.au | 03 9348 7536 |