In public and in private : the role of the house church in early Christianity
In a brief article published in 1939, Floyd Filson suggested that our understanding of early Christianity would be enriched if we considered the physical conditions of the early church, i.e., the house churches. In many respects, this thesis is a response to Filson's summons. The recent interest in the 'social world of early Christianity' and the non-literary evidence unearthed in this century have made this study possible (Chapters 1 and 2). The evidence confirms that the building program endorsed by Constantine is a watershed in early Christian architecture. Until the founding of the Lateran basilica (<i>c</i>.314 AD) the Christians primarily met in houses (converted or otherwise). Prior to the Peace of the Church there were three major stages of development: 1. the 'house church' proper (<i>c</i>.50-150), i.e., a domestic residence which continued to function as such while it also served to accommodate a Christian gathering. 2. The <i>domus ecclesiae</i> (<i>c</i>.150-250), i.e., renovated residences. 3. The <i>aula ecclesiae</i> (<i>c</i>.250-313), i.e., large halls used by the community. The early period of the 'house church' has been the primary focus of our study; although we have provided evidence
Blue, Bradley B.
Church buildings ; Church architecture
In public and in private : the role of the house church in early Christianity. In a brief article published in 1939, Floyd Filson suggested that our understanding of early Christianity would be enriched if we considered the physical conditions of the early church, i.e., the house churches. In many respects, this thesis is a response to Filson's summons. The recent interest in the 'social world of early Christianity' and the non-literary evidence unearthed in this century have made this study possible (Chapters 1 and 2). The evidence confirms that the building program endorsed by Constantine is a watershed in early Christian architecture. Until the founding of the Lateran basilica (<i>c</i>.314 AD) the Christians primarily met in houses (converted or otherwise). Prior to the Peace of the Church there were three major stages of development: 1. the 'house church' proper (<i>c</i>.50-150), i.e., a domestic residence which continued to function as such while it also served to accommodate a Christian gathering. 2. The <i>domus ecclesiae</i> (<i>c</i>.150-250), i.e., renovated residences. 3. The <i>aula ecclesiae</i> (<i>c</i>.250-313), i.e., large halls used by the community. The early period of the 'house church' has been the primary focus of our study; although we have provided evidence
public_private role house church early_christianity brief article publish suggest early_christianity would enrich consider physical condition early_church house church many_respect response recent interest social_world early_christianity non_literary evidence make study possible evidence confirms build program endorse constantine watershed early_christian architecture found christians primarily meet house convert otherwise prior peace church three_major stage_development house church proper domestic residence continue function also_serve accommodate christian gathering residence large hall use community early_period house church primary_focus study although provide_evidence