Found Christianities: Remaking the World of the Second Century CE

by M. David Litwa

M. David Litwa tells the stories of the early Christians whose religious identity was either challenged or outright denied. In the second century many different groups and sects claimed to be the only Orthodox or authentic version of Christianity, and Litwa shows how those groups and figures on the side of developing Christian Orthodoxy often dismissed other versions of Christianity by refusing to call them “Christian”. However, the writings and treatises against these groups contain fascinating hints of what they believed, and why they called themselves Christian.

Litwa outlines these different groups and the controversies that surrounded them, presenting readers with an overview of the vast tapestry of beliefs that made up second century Christianity. By moving beyond notions of “gnostic”, “heretical” and “orthodox” Litwa allows these “lost Christianities” to speak for themselves. He also questions the notion of some Christian identities “surviving” or “perishing”, arguing that all second century "Catholic" groups look very different to any form of modern Roman Catholicism.

Litwa shows that countless discourses, ideas, and practices are continually recycled and adapted throughout time in the building of Christian identities, and indeed that the influence of so-called “lost” Christianities can still be felt today.

Genres: Christianity, Religion, History, Gnosticism

336 pages, Paperback

Published March 24, 2022

Reviews

[Rodolfo Huerta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This scholarly book is an extremely well put analysis featuring the complex beliefs & thoughts of 2nd century Christians in general. Litwa’s primary sources from Nag Hammadi, the Refutator, & other fragments inform us that Christianity as a whole wasn’t really one single cohesive group with “heretics” in the 2nd century. I really enjoyed understanding how early Christian thought developed from Litwa himself.

[Zack · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was awesome. I think it’s accessible to non-academics also. If the subject matter is completely alienating, suitable introductions would be:
- the Literature and History podcast’s episode on Nag Hamadi (link at bottom, transcription here: https://literatureandhistory.com/inde...)
- the introduction(s) in The Nag Hammadi Scriptures. HarperOne, 2007

Reading Irenaeus’s first book (Archive.org) and Litwa’s edition of the Refutation before this book was very rewarding definitely unnecessary.

I wish there was a Bryn Mawr review for this book. I would love to know what Litwa’s colleagues make of it.


https://content.libsyn.com/p/0/c/8/0c...

[Jc · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dense, well referenced discussion of the various religious, philosophical, and political movements that, in the late 1st through 2nd centuries laid the groundwork for what in time became “christianity.” Found Christianities is also a critic of the common, simple, and convenient lumping of many of these schools of thought under the broad category of “Gnosticism.” A fascinating, well written work, but probably a complete confusing bore to anyone who is new to academic discussions of early christian-related religious thought. For a lighter introduction, try the works of B.Erhman or R.Price, among others (or maybe the Westar Institute’s “After Jesus Before Christianity”).

[Logan Prettyman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Shoddy scholarship. He builds far too much off of speculation and speaks as though it’s historical fact. He does have sources and general information about heretics (he uses the term Christians, which isn’t confusing at all!), but it’s almost not worth the page it’s printed on. If you want a liberal to contend with, read Liz Clark.