This fascinating resource examines the day-to-day lives of early Christians―as depicted through documented accounts of the period―from the beginning of Christianity through 325 CE. Early Christianity drew its doctrine from a variety of sources―personal interpretation, Hebrew scriptures, and church council―yet the core ideology endured, even as the religion transitioned from being the object of persecution to becoming a legal institution in the Roman Empire. This book celebrates the voices that helped create and develop Christianity during that period. Voices of Early Christianity: Documents from the Origins of Christianity is a collection of excerpts from significant documents from early Christian history, organized topically, then listed chronologically within each section. The author compares textual variations among the works of the apostles, as well as key themes over time, and frames the discussion for further critical thinking. Topics include sexuality, marriage, and divorce; food issues; women in early Christianity; and politics and Christianity. This latest Voices of an Era volume explores the origins of Christianity through primary source documents—a goal that, with ancient texts about an often hotly debated subject, can be a tricky undertaking. With added context and several disclaimers (from the preface, “Even though it is tempting to think that the rules set down in one text applied to all Christians everywhere, that probably was not the case”), Kaatz tackles 6 major topics: “Early Christian Life,” “The Church,” “Early Christian Women,” “Conflicts of the Early Church,” “Persecution,” and “Church and Politics.” Within these sections are 42 subsections, most of which contain multiple primary source document excerpts. Subsections include an introduction, information to “Keep in Mind while You Read,” an “Aftermath” section, and questions and further topics to consider. Most documents are in the public domain, and a “Further Information” section lists websites with the full text of documents whenever possible. The volume also includes an essay on how to evaluate ancient primary source documents, a chronology, brief biographies, a glossary, a bibliography, and an index. From the Old Testament to the Nicene Creed (325 CE), this volume paints a picture of the earliest development of Christianity, from its creation to its adoption by the Roman Empire. Of particular interest is the “Early Christian Life” section, which includes subsections on the many rules and early debates about eating, marriage, divorce, remarriage, castration, and more day-to-day topics—showcasing the complexities of developing the largest religion in the world. On marriage, for example, readers find that in the beginning, some Christians encouraged such partnerships, while others believed no one should marry under any circumstance. A thoughtful guide to the beginnings of a complex religion, this volume is recommended for high-school and academic libraries with an interest in Christian history. Appropriate for circulating collections. --Emily Compton-Dzak “A thoughtful guide to the beginnings of a complex religion, this volume is recommended for high school and academic libraries with an interest in Christian history. Appropriate for circulating collections.” ― Booklist “The issues that Kaatz discusses resonate strongly today just as they did when they were first created. Kaatz cuts to the heart of what could be an unwieldy subject and provides excellent context and explanations on all the issues he discusses. Readers interested in bettering their understanding of the functions of the Christian religion and the Catholic Church will learn much from the questions and discussions within this volume.” ― Library Journal “This is a wonderful introduction into the writings of early Christianity edited by Kevin W. Katz. . . . This book is highly recommended to those studying the writings of early Christianity and is recommended to public, academic, and theological libraries.” ― ARBA Kevin W. Kaatz is assistant professor of ancient history at California State University, East Bay Campus. He specializes in Roman history and the digital humanities.