CONTENTS

List of tables

List of contributors

Preface

List of abbreviations

Introduction: With respect to ritual

Richard E. DeMaris

PART I

Interacting with the divine

1Honoring the divine

Jonathan Schwiebert

2Accessing divine power and status

Steven C. Muir

3Accessing divine knowledge

Ritva H. Williams

PART II

Group interactions

4Boundary-crossing in Christian baptism

Agnes Choi

5Rituals for communal maintenance

Erin K. Vearncombe

6Early Christian funerary ritual

Nicola Hayward

PART III

Contesting and creating ritual protocols

7Ritual negotiation

Jason T. Lamoreaux

8Ritual transgression

Richard E. DeMaris

9Ritual modification and innovation

Richard S. Ascough

Conclusion: Steps forward in the study of early christian ritual life

Hal Taussig

Index of modern authors

Index of subjects

Index of ancient sources