Routledge - The Origin of Heresy - History of Ancient Religion

Explore the historical roots of religious disagreement with The Origin of Heresy by Robert Royalty. Part of the Routledge Studies in Religion series, this book examines how the concept of heresy formed during the development of Orthodox Christianity. Instead of looking only at the second century, this work traces the rhetoric of ideological disagreements back to Second Temple Jewish and early Christian texts. It investigates the development of heresiology, which is the polemical rhetoric used against those labeled as heretics. By analyzing ancient discourse, the author argues that the foundations of what we call heresy existed well before the term was officially applied. This book provides a deep look into the linguistic and rhetorical shifts that shaped early religious identity and the construction of orthodoxy. It is an essential resource for those studying ancient history, religious studies, and the evolution of early Christian thought.