This book starts with a general introduction by Jurgen Becker, and continues with a study of the interaction of Jesus with the world around him by Christoph Burchard. Varieties of early Christianity are illuminated in an examination of the oldest Jewish-Christian community by Carsten Colpe; "The Circle of Stephen and Its Mission," by Karl Loning; and "Paul and His Churches," by Jurgen Becker. Starting from the gospels, John K. Riches explores "The Synoptic Evangelists and Their Communities." "Post-Pauline Christianity and Pagan society" are analyzed by Peter Lampe and Ulrich Luz. "Apocalyptic Currents" are reviewed by Ulrich B. Muller, and finally C. Kingsley Barrett delineates "Johannine Christianity."