Much of my academic work over the past three decades has focused on how the early Christian movement engaged the cultures of its time. Understanding the dynamics of these early communities not only informs our theological reflections but also offers invaluable lessons for contemporary church planting and missions. This is precisely the focus of my upcoming book, Mind the Gap: Filling a Void in Contemporary Missiology with the Archaeological Record of Asia Minor (Wipf and Stock).
As I prepare for the next phase of research for this book, I’m excited to share with you some of the key themes and areas that this study will explore. In this post, I’ll highlight the upcoming research that will examine how the archaeological evidence from Asia Minor can fill crucial gaps in our understanding of early Christian practices—and how these findings can influence modern mission strategies.
Bridging the Historical Gap
The central aim of Mind the Gap is to fill the void between the literary records of the early church, namely the New Testament, and the archaeological evidence that brings these ancient communities to life. The early Christian movement thrived in one of the most culturally and religiously complex regions of the Roman Empire—Asia Minor. Cities like Ephesus, Pergamum, and Sardis were not only centers of political power but also hubs of religious diversity, trade, and intellectual exchange. Through this project, I’ll be studying the material culture of these cities, such as inscriptions, architecture, and communal spaces, to better understand how early Christians navigated their context.
This research will provide insights into the missions practices, church structures, and communal life of the early church—gap areas that can help fill the void in the literary texts. How did early Christians worship? How did they engage with the political and religious authorities of their time? And what lessons can we glean from their adaptive strategies that can inform contemporary mission efforts? These are some of the critical questions this research seeks to answer. Sir William Ramsay stated it this way:
“If we want to understand the Ancients, especially the Greeks, we must breathe the same air as they did and saturate ourselves with the same scenery and the same nature that [shaped] them.”
Key Archaeological Focus Areas
Phase one of the research began last April with a site visit and interaction with a few archaeologists in Asia Minor. In the next phase of research, I’ll be further exploring key archaeological sites in an attempt to answer questions raised from the first phase. Here are a few emerging themes:
1. The Seven Churches of Revelation
The letters to the Seven Churches of Asia Minor, found in the Revelation 2-3, offer a stunning glimpse into the strengths and weaknesses of early Christian communities. But what can archaeology tell us about these churches and about Jesus’ intimate knowledge about them? The remains of cities like Smyrna and Philadelphia hold valuable insights into how early Christians responded to external pressures—whether from trade guilds, political authorities, or religious factions. By examining the graffiti, inscriptions, and architecture of these cities, I hope to uncover more about the daily lives of these early believers and how they navigated the complexities of their cultures.
For instance, the inscriptions and graffiti found in the agora of ancient Smyrna reveal how early Christ-followers communicated their faith amidst opposition. These messages etched into the city’s public spaces provide a window into the public discourse of early Christians. Through this research, I aim to draw lessons for how we can engage contemporary cultural contexts in creative and meaningful ways.
2. Ephesus: Connecting with Community Leaders
Ephesus, a city and church I’ve written much about already, played a crucial role in the spread of early Christianity. The epigraphic evidence for prominent community leaders, such as Theophilus and Tyrannus, will be a focal point of my research. These figures likely held significant influence in Ephesus, and their connections to the early Christian movement offer valuable insights into the importance of engaging influential leaders in mission work. In modern missiology, understanding how to connect with key community members can be critical to establishing a lasting church-planting movement.
3. Trade Guilds in Thyatira
Thyatira was not known for its political or religious prominence, but its trade guilds were a major economic force in the region. By exploring the role of these guilds, I’ll investigate how early Christians navigated economic pressures and maintained their faith while participating in local commerce. The marketplace was a key arena for spreading the gospel in the early church, and the trade guilds of Thyatira offer an example and caution for marketplace ministry leaders in contemporary mission contexts.
4. Religious and Political Dynamics in Pergamum
Pergamum, a city steeped in imperial worship and religious pluralism, presents a unique challenge for early Christian witness. The research will focus on how the early Christians in Pergamum maintained their faith while living under the constant pressure of Roman imperial cults. By studying the city’s temples, inscriptions, and religious practices, this chapter will offer modern-day strategies for how Christians today can maintain a vibrant witness in politically and religiously complex environments.
Missiological Implications
One of the driving questions behind Mind the Gap is how the archaeological record can inform contemporary missiology. In modern church-planting movements, there is often a tendency to rely on rapid-growth models or culturally detached strategies. However, the evidence from the early Christian communities in Asia Minor suggests that successful mission strategies must be deeply rooted in an understanding of the cultural, social, and economic realities of the local context.
Through this research, I hope to draw valuable lessons for modern missions, particularly in how the early church adapted its structures and practices to fit the unique challenges of their time. From engaging marketplace leaders in Thyatira to navigating religious pluralism in Pergamum, the early Christians provide a roadmap for how the church today can be both faithful and flexible in its mission approach.
Looking Ahead
As I dive deeper into the archaeological and historical research for Mind the Gap, I’m excited to see how these ancient insights will not only shed light on early Christian communities but also inspire new approaches to contemporary missions. Whether you are a missiologist, church planter, or simply interested in the intersection of history, theology, and archaeology, I believe this research will offer fresh perspectives on how the early church’s adaptive strategies can guide us today.
Stay tuned for more updates as I continue to explore the archaeological sites of Asia Minor and uncover the rich heritage of the early Christian movement. If you are interested in participating in this research, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Adapted from Dr. Cooper’s forthcoming book, Mind the Gap: Filling Missiological Voids with the Archaeological Evidence of Asia Minor (Wipf and Stock). Follow him on Facebook.
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