An academic from the School of Divinity has won a major prize for a book on the countercultural ideas of early Christianity. Dr Larry Hurtado, Emeritus Professor of New Testament Language, Literature and Theology at New College, has won the 2017 PROSE Award in the Category of Archaeology and Ancient History for his book, Destroyer of gods: Early Christian Distinctiveness in the Roman World. Bizarre and dangerous The book examines how Christianity, which has shaped contemporary ideas of religion, was deemed bizarre and insidious when it first appeared in the Roman era. Christianity was considered, and really seems to have been, a dangerous development that challenged what was then accepted notions of religion, piety, identity, and behaviour. Christianity was a broadscale rejection of religion as then known and practiced. It was perceived by many as irreligious, impious, and unacceptable, a threat to social order. Professor Larry Hurtado Pretigious awards The PROSE Awards annually recognize the very best in professional and scholarly publishing at an event in Washington, DC. Judged by peer publishers, librarians, and medical professionals since 1976, the PROSE Awards are committed to recognizing pioneering works of research and for contributing to the conception, production, and design of landmark works in their fields. Related links School of Divinity Professor Hurtado's blog The PROSE Awards Publication date 14 Feb, 2017
