'For some years students have lacked a good textbook on the first decades of Christianity. Professor Wedderburn has now met that lack... He weighs the evidence and the debates with a judicious even-handedness. This is a book which is thoroughly accessible to those with little specialist knowledge, which will provide an authoritative guide to current debates on Christianity's beginnings and which, more important, will give a clearer grasp of the historical complexities of these beginnings.' James D. G. Dunn, Emeritus Lightfoot Professor of Divinity, University of Durham Review ~ International Review of Biblical Studies, vol 51, 2004/05 Review in German in Theologische Literaturzeitung 131 (2006) * Theologische Literaturzeitung *