Looking for an intro to theology...

[1watchman]

Sometimes the evidence emerges that those with a certain historical reputation for having gone back to the source in actual fact followed tradition in some areas because of the pressure of vested interests.

But the Lord knows His people and sustains them.

I AGREE WITH THAT THOUGHT, FAROUK!

 

[hedrick]

If you're interested in serious history, a pretty standard introduction would be Henry Chadwick, The Early Church, in the Penguin series. But it, like many other things, concentrates on the development of doctrine. The OP suggests an interest in how people lived. For that you need more social history than theology. An example would be Robin Lane Fox, Pagans and Christians. Note that it covers a narrower period than books on the early church. It only goes up to Constantine.

 

[Euodius]

If you're interested in serious history, a pretty standard introduction would be Henry Chadwick, The Early Church, in the Penguin series. But it, like many other things, concentrates on the development of doctrine. The OP suggests an interest in how people lived. For that you need more social history than theology. An example would be Robin Lane Fox, Pagans and Christians. Note that it covers a narrower period than books on the early church. It only goes up to Constantine.

I would also suggest James Kelly and Mathieu Pageau for a look into the cosmology and worldview of ancient people.