An Analysis of Walter Bauer’s Theory on the Development of Early Christianity in Asia Minor

Abstract

The authors of the article discuss Walter Bauer’s theory on the beginnings of Christianity in Asia Minor. Through an analysis of primary sources and modern literature, they determine the fallacies of Bauer’s argumentation. Thus, Bauer’s theory on gnosticism as a route taken by Christianity, prevalent during the first two centuries in the Asia Minor region, is carefully scrutinized. Errors occured, the authors conclude, due to an incorrect approach to the interpretation of sources, and hence a faulty reconstruction of the development of early Christianity in the region in question.