Christianity in Roman Africa: The Development of its Practices and Beliefs

Using a combination of literary and archaeological evidence, this book portrays the development of Christian practices and doctrine in Roman Africa -- contemporary Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco -- from the second century through the Arab conquest in the seventh century.

In these pages Patout Burns and Robin Jensen -- a doubly expert husband-and-wife team --skillfully reconstruct the rituals and practices of Christians in the buildings and spaces where they were performed, with illustrations from the archaeological remains.

What emerges is a rich, unprecedented vista on early Christian life in Roman Africa, including the development and practice of baptism and eucharist, the election and ordination of leaders, marriage, burial, the great African concern for holiness, and much more.