Baylor Professors Bruce Longenecker and Mikeal Parsons Explore the Material World of Early Christianity

The second session of this year’s Readers Meet the Author series will feature Baylor Religion professor Bruce Longenecker, Ph.D., in discussion with his colleague, professor Mikeal Parsons, Ph.D., about his recent Baylor University Press publication, “The Materiality of Early Christ Devotion: Artistic Innovation at Four Archaeological Sites.”

The book examines how Christians in the first three centuries expressed their devotion to Christ through physical objects and artistic materials such as gravestones, rings and gemstones, amulets, wall plaster, and mosaics. Longenecker examines materials from four separate archaeological sites—Ostia, Dura-Europa, Smyrna, and Pompeii—to better understand the beliefs and practices of early Christians.

Longenecker is an internationally recognized scholar of early Christianity whose research explores the beliefs and practices of early generations of Christians. He earned his Ph.D. in Theology from the University of Durham, and also holds degrees from Wheaton College, the University of Toronto, and Wycliffe College. He joined Baylor's Department of Religion in 2009 and serves as the W. W. Melton Professor of Christian Origins.

Joining Longenecker in conversation will be Mikeal Parsons, Ph.D., University Distinguished Professor and Kidd L. & Buna Hitchcock Macon Professor of Religion. Parsons is widely known for his scholarship on Luke-Acts and, in collaboration with his wife, Professor of Art History Heidi Hornik, Ph.D., also explores the intersection of biblical interpretation and Christian art.

Initiated in the fall of 2021 by the Office of the Provost, the Readers Meet the Author series presents select, single-authored, book-length publications by Baylor faculty that inspire shared reflection and collegial conversation among faculty, staff, students, and others. The Readers Meet the Author series is presented by the Office of the Provost and the Office of the President and hosted by the Baylor Libraries.

This event is free and open to the public and will be followed by a reception with light refreshments and a book signing. Baylor University Press will sell copies of “The Materiality of Early Christian Devotion” both prior to and following the conversation.

For more information, visit provost.web.baylor.edu/rma.