This book considers the origins of Christianity through the role of ritual. It uses cognitive and evolutionary theories of ritual to provide fresh insights into the New Testament and other early Christian sources, with a particular focus on actions, cooperation, and religious teaching.

Risto Uro is Senior lecturer in New Testament Studies at the University of Helsinki.

• Introduction


• 1: Ritual Theory and Early Christian Studies


• 2: Ritual, Culture, and the Human Mind: A Socio-Cognitive Approach


• 3: 'I baptize You With Water': Ritual and the Rise of Religious Movements


• 4: 'Are Any Among You Sick': Ritual, Possession, and healing


• 5: 1. 'When You Come Together': Ritual and Cooperation


• 6: Baptizing... and teaching': ritual and religious knowledge


• Concluding Remarks


• Work cited