Law and order found widespread support in the world of the first Christians - and, perhaps surprisingly, also trenchant critiques. Justice was not by any means always seen to be done. Acceptance and dissent appear from Jesus and Paul, onwards.
F. Gerald Downing, M.A. (Oxford), Hon. Research Fellow, University of Manchester, has taught Biblical Studies to ordinands (mostly Anglican), between times as parish priest, but is now retired. He has contributed to many international journals and essay collections, and produced a dozen books, six in series, most recently, God with Everything. The Divine in the Discourse of the First Christian Century (SWBA 2/2; Sheffield Phoenix, 2008).
