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30 records
Journal article

The Palimpsests of Sinai: Christological Readings in Christian Palestinian Aramaic Gospel Fragments

Grace, Daniel J.

The palimpsests preserved at St Catherine’s Monastery on Mount Sinai contain an important body of erased Christian Palestinian Aramaic Gospel material. Recovered through modern multispectral imaging, these fragments provide evidence for both the history of biblical translation and the Christological memory of Palestinian…

Christian History & ArchaeologyView record
Journal article

Beyond Greek and Latin: Theological Meaning in Early Georgian, Christian Palestinian Aramaic, and Geʽez Biblical Translation

Grace, Daniel J.

This article examines early Georgian, Christian Palestinian Aramaic, and Geʽez biblical translation as forms of theological interpretation rather than as secondary witnesses to Greek and Latin Christianity. Each tradition emerged within a distinct cultural and ecclesial environment, yet all three demonstrate that translation…

Christian History & ArchaeologyView record
Journal article

The Theology of Mundane Matter in Late Antiquity: Church Property, Material Resources, and Everyday Economic Practice in the Early Christian World

Grace, Daniel J.

This article examines the practical management of material resources in late-antique Christian communities. While histories of early Christianity often concentrate on councils, creeds, bishops, and theological controversies, churches also had to manage land, buildings, oil, wax, grain, clothing, liturgical objects, donations, charitable distributions,…

Christian History & ArchaeologyView record
Journal article

Remembering the Human Cost of Early Christianity

Grace, Daniel J.

Modern scholarship has rightly challenged simplified representations of early Christianity as a completely unified movement subjected to continuous, empire-wide persecution. Christian communities differed in theology, practice, authority, and textual tradition, while Roman responses to Christianity varied considerably across periods and regions. Nevertheless, critical…

Christian History & ArchaeologyView record
Journal article

Neurodivergence and Ascetic Behaviour in the Desert Fathers

Grace, Daniel J.

Extreme ascetic practices among the Desert Fathers and Stylites have traditionally been interpreted through theological, spiritual, and historical frameworks. Solitude, fasting, repetitive prayer, sensory deprivation, prolonged standing, and bodily exposure are commonly understood as forms of renunciation, spiritual warfare, discipline, and devotion to…

Christian History & ArchaeologyView record
Journal article

The Seven Churches of Revelation: A Theological and Historical Study

Grace, Daniel J.

This paper presents a theological and historical study of the seven churches addressed in Revelation chapters 2–3. By examining the biblical text alongside its first-century historical and cultural context, the study explores the spiritual condition, challenges, and distinctive messages given to each church:…

Biblical Studies & InterpretationView record
Journal article

The Trade Routes of the Text: The Economic Micro-History of Early Christian Manuscripts

Grace, Daniel J.

his article examines the economic and material history behind the production and circulation of early Christian manuscripts. It argues that Christian texts did not spread through theology alone, but through networks of papyrus production, copying labour, private patronage, household communities, couriers, merchants, ports,…

Christian History & ArchaeologyView record
Journal article

Faith Hidden in Stone: Christian Epigraphy, Discreet Identity, and Material Resistance before Constantine

Grace, Daniel J.

This research article examines the discreet theological language of early Christian epigraphy before Constantine. It focuses on funerary inscriptions, graffiti, symbolic vocabulary, Roman burial conventions, and the Abercius Inscription. The article argues that early Christian inscriptions should not be understood as evidence of…

Christian History & ArchaeologyView record
Book chapter

The Forgotten Roads of Revelation How Roman Roads Connected the Seven Churches and Spread Christianity

Grace, Daniel J.

This article examines the role of Roman transportation infrastructure in the spread of early Christianity, with particular focus on the Seven Churches of Revelation in Asia Minor. Through historical, geographical, archaeological, and theological analysis, the study investigates how Roman roads facilitated communication, trade,…

Christian History & ArchaeologyView record
Journal article

Persecution in the Roman Empire

Grace, Daniel J.

How did Christianity survive centuries of opposition in the Roman Empire? This article explores the causes of persecution, the courage of Christian martyrs, the role of emperor worship, and the remarkable resilience of the early Church. It reveals how faith, perseverance, and conviction…

Christian History & ArchaeologyView record