Pope Francis received the first copy of the Brill Encyclopedia of Early Christianity, a comprehensive scholarly reference work dedicated to the study of early Christianity. It was presented to the leader of the Roman Catholic Church by, among others, Paul van Geest, Professor of Theology & Economic Thought at Erasmus University Rotterdam on 18 September 2024.
A monastic task of 15 years work
Church historian Paul van Geest, together with the American theologian David Hunter (Boston University) and fellow countryman Bert Jan Lietaert Peerbolte (New Testament scholar at VU Amsterdam), were responsible for the compilation and final editing. In a recent interview with the Dutch daily newspaper “Trouw”, Van Geest stated that it was a monastic task that took them fifteen years.
The six volumes encyclopedia is an enormous reference work of almost six thousand pages, with 1200 subjects, written by 650 authors. Published by the leading academic publishing house Brill, the encyclopedia covers a wide range of topics related to early Christianity (focusing on the period from the first century to the seventh century CE). It explores theological, liturgical, and historical developments, as well as interactions between Christianity and the broader cultural, religious, and political landscapes of the Greco-Roman world.
Key features include in-depth articles written by experts in the field, coverage of key figures, texts, and events of early Christian history, interdisciplinary perspectives, integrating theology, history, archaeology, and biblical studies, and comprehensive analysis of the diversity of early Christian communities, theological debates, and interactions with Judaism and other religions.
The encyclopedia is designed as a valuable resource for scholars, students, and those with an interest in early Christian studies. It is available in both print and online formats, making it accessible for academic use.
About Paul van Geest
Paul van Geest is a prominent scholar in the fields of theology and church history, particularly known for his expertise in early Christianity and medieval theology. He has written extensively on the thought of Augustine of Hippo, early Christian spirituality, and the development of Christian doctrine. His research often focuses on the intersections between theology, philosophy, and historical contexts. Van Geest has held various academic positions, including a professorship of Church History and History of Theology at Tilburg University. His work is notable for its careful historical analysis and engagement with theological concepts, making him a respected figure in both academic and ecclesiastical circles.
- More information
Above, you can find pdf’s of an interview with the Dutch compilers of the encyclopedia, Bert Jan Lietaert Peerbolte and Paul van Geest, in the Dutch daily newspaper Trouw (19 August 2024).
Click here to listen to the interview with compilers Bert Jan Lietaert Peerbolte and Paul van Geest of the Dutch Radio 1 programme “Met het Oog op Morgen” on 15 September 2024.
For more information, please contact Ronald de Groot, Media and Public Relations Officer at Erasmus School of Economics, rdegroot@ese.eur.nl, or +31 6 53 641 846.