Includes bibliographical references.

"This collection of twenty-four essays in honor of Professor Bernard Pouderon sheds new light on a number of 1st century through 4th century A. D. religious polemics. These essays combine a variety of academic viewpoints and scientific approaches from researchers who hail from many countries. They cover four questions, each in their own chapter: what role do the origins play for ancient religious currents? How far do Jewish apologetics and anti-Jewish polemics go? What are the stakes of the controversies between Christian and pagan authors? What are the content and purpose of debates within Christianity? These essays delve into Jewish, pagan and Christian, as well as Gnostic, Manichaean or Orphic texts. The authors explain how history was used to further specific objectives, how biblical quotations were made to serve the ideologies of the time, and how sources were altered to shape the desired narrative. The collection shows the importance of polemics from Flavius Josephus to Gregory of Nyssa from this stirring period that is crucial to the understanding of religions and their ." -- Publisher, back cover.