"The early Christian social environment comes alive in a wholly fresh way"This book offers an original and engaging analysis of life in the Greco-Roman city as seen through its public spaces. Drawing on primary sources and archeological evidence, Jason Borges explores how seven key civic structures--the agora, temple, bath, prison, theater, library, and cemetery--shaped the lives, writings, and theology of early Christians."It is a brilliant idea for Jason Borges to conduct his readers on a tour of civic structures in the ancient city to explain not just their architecture but their function and social significance in everyday life. The early Christian social environment comes alive in a wholly fresh way. I thoroughly recommend this book--well-researched, clearly written, and excellently illustrated."--John M. G. Barclay, Durham University (emeritus)"Blending his academic training as a church historian with his personal experiences living in Asia Minor, Borges shows us the New Testament world through its buildings. He goes beyond general facts, describing how these structures played a role in early Christianity and offering insights for specific biblical texts. With each chapter--whether discussing temples, prisons, or theaters--Borges becomes your perfect personal tour guide."--E. Randolph Richards, Palm Beach Atlantic University (emeritus); coauthor of Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes"A well-researched, amply documented, and user-friendly book that helps the modern reader easily imagine what life was like for the earliest Christians living in the Greco-Roman world. Numerous New Testament texts become instantly more understandable in light of Borges's captivating introductions to such key first-century institutions as the city, agora (ancient town square), temple, bath, prison, theater, library, and necropolis (cemetery). A valuable resource for layperson and scholar alike!"--Jeffrey A. D. Weima, Calvin Theological Seminary