Candida Moss
Candida Moss is the Edward Cadbury Professor of Theology at the University of Birmingham.
Specializing in Biblical studies and early Christian history, she has an undergraduate degree in Theology from Oxford University, a Masters degree in Biblical Studies from Yale Divinity School and a doctorate in Religious Studies from Yale University. She serves as co-chair of the Healthcare and Disability in the Ancient Near East section of the international and national meetings of the Society of Biblical Literature; co-chair of the "Inventing Christianity" section of the Society of Biblical Literature; as a member of the steering committee of the "Apostolic Fathers" consultation of the international meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature. She has also served as a consultant and presenter for National Geographic Television, the History Channel, and the Discovery Channel.
She is the author or editor of seven books and over thirty articles. Her first book, The Other Christs: Imitating Jesus in Ancient Christian Ideologies of Martyrdom (Oxford, 2010) was awarded the 2011 John Templeton Award for Theological Promise. She has also been the recipient of grants and awards from the Woodrow Wilson Foundation, the John Templeton Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
She is currently working on a commentary on "Second Century Martyrdom Accounts" for the Hermeneia Commentary series.
Address: 130 Malloy Hall
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN 46556
Specializing in Biblical studies and early Christian history, she has an undergraduate degree in Theology from Oxford University, a Masters degree in Biblical Studies from Yale Divinity School and a doctorate in Religious Studies from Yale University. She serves as co-chair of the Healthcare and Disability in the Ancient Near East section of the international and national meetings of the Society of Biblical Literature; co-chair of the "Inventing Christianity" section of the Society of Biblical Literature; as a member of the steering committee of the "Apostolic Fathers" consultation of the international meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature. She has also served as a consultant and presenter for National Geographic Television, the History Channel, and the Discovery Channel.
She is the author or editor of seven books and over thirty articles. Her first book, The Other Christs: Imitating Jesus in Ancient Christian Ideologies of Martyrdom (Oxford, 2010) was awarded the 2011 John Templeton Award for Theological Promise. She has also been the recipient of grants and awards from the Woodrow Wilson Foundation, the John Templeton Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
She is currently working on a commentary on "Second Century Martyrdom Accounts" for the Hermeneia Commentary series.
Address: 130 Malloy Hall
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN 46556
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Books by Candida Moss
Beginning with an overview of ancient Greek, Roman, and Jewish ideas about death, Moss demonstrates that there were many cultural contexts within which early Christian views of martyrdom were very much at home. She then shows how distinctive and diverging theologies of martyrdom emerged in different ancient congregations. In the process she reexamines the authenticity of early Christian stories about martyrs and calls into question the dominant scholarly narrative about the spread of martyrdom in the ancient world.
Reviews:
“Candida Moss’ well written book puts the study of ancient martyrdom on a completely new footing by her questioning of received datings and persuasive insistence on the diversity of the sources, practices, and ideologies of martyrdom. It is a milestone in the field.”—Jan Bremmer, University of Groningen
“This is a valuable study on a very important topic and offers a fresh reading of the pre-Decian martyr Acta by a brilliant young scholar who has taken the trouble to gain mastery of the scholarship in both English and German going back to the early modern period, and who is not afraid to go back to the first principles to re-assess the date and context of the sources.”—Kate Cooper, University of Manchester
“Moss successfully overturns longstanding assumptions in reconfiguring our picture of pre-Decian Christian martyrdom, combining erudite awareness of divergent contexts with sophisticated analysis of important texts. Ancient Christian Martyrdom shows that we didn’t know what we thought we knew—but we now know more and see with fresh insight, thanks to her striking illumination of the vibrant, varied discourses of martyrdom in relationship to ancient Mediterranean attitudes about death, suffering, power, and order.”—Brad S. Gregory, author of Salvation at Stake: Christian Martyrdom in Early Modern Europe
“An insightful new history of early Christian martyrdoms and the social realities that shaped them. Tertullian's famous line that the blood of martyrs was the foundation of the Christian Church takes on new dimensions as Professor Moss carefully traces the complex history of the death of Christian witnesses from the second century through Constantine. This volume will make an important contribution to our understanding of the early church.”—Harold Attridge, Yale University
“Compellingly argued and artfully written, Moss reveals how the popular misconception about martyrdom in the early church still creates real barriers to compassion and dialogue today. An important book and a fascinating read.” (—Archbishop Desmond Tutu )
“This is the best sort of history: delightfully accessible yet based on prodigious scholarship, deeply serious, yet entertaining and enlightening. Above all, it shows the reader the importance of sweeping away myth, in order that we do not behave badly in the present, using the past as our excuse.” (—Diarmaid MacCulloch, Professor of the History of the Church at Oxford University and author of Christianity: the First Three Thousand Years )
“A tour de force addition to the literature of sacred violence; a case study in how bold scholarship can dismantle it. Candida Moss’s religious history will change religion, and, if Christians heed it, history, too.” (—James Carroll, Author of Jerusalem, Jerusalem )
“Moss dismantles the wall of righteousness that some Christians erect in order to justify their conflict with others. Without this persecution narrative, we will be better equipped to work together in our complex and pluralistic world.” (—Sister Simone Campbell, Executive Director of NETWORK )
“This is a timely and eye opening book. Moss’ carefully researched and readable account corrects and clarifies an important feature of a history that has been fictionalized for too long.” (—Harvey Cox, Hollis Research Professor of Divinity at Harvard, and author of The Future of Faith )
“In engaging prose and with scholarly acumen, Moss pulls back the curtain on one of Western history’s best-kept secrets-that Christians were never subjects of sustained persecution. Read this book and rejoice as Moss turns history on its head and points the way beyond religious violence.” (—Diana Butler Bass, author of Christianity After Religion )
“Not only has Candida Moss reminded us that much of what we accept uncritically is pious legend, but that such myths poison the religious and political rhetoric of our time. There is something here to offend everyone, which is the first sign of groundbreaking work.” (—Rev. Dr. Robin R. Meyers, UCC Minister and author of The Underground Church: Reclaiming the Subversive Way of Jesus )
“Historical argumentation at its most cogent.” (—Booklist )"
Contributors include: Susan Ackerman, Joel Baden, Adela Collins, Meghan Henning, Nicole Kelley, Saul Olyan, T. M. Lemos, David Tabb Stewart, Rebecca Raphael, Mikeal Parsons, Warren Carter, and Sarah Melcher.
Reviews:
"The editors of this timely collection, which brings together high quality Biblical Studies and an issue of central importance to our society; are to be commended for this pioneering and necessary initiative" -- Christopher Rowland, Dean Ireland's Professor of the Exegesis of Holy Scripture, Queen's College, Oxford University
"This book assembles an impressive array of scholars whose collective work changes the terrain of disability studies and biblical scholarship. Adding nuance and deep expertise to the discourse, Disability Studies and Biblical Literature shows us how much of the previous discussion of religious attitudes toward people with disabilities in the western world has been superficial and general." Lennard Davis, Distinguished Professor of English, University of Chicago.
Reviews:
"Moss's work is brilliant, innovative, compendious, and probing... I would recommend this book heartily not only to students of early Christianity, but to contemporary theologians whose work must take into account the often uncomfortable claims of the martyrs."--Jonathan Zecher, Reviews in Religion and Theology
"This is an original and insightful study that contributes significantly to our understanding of the cult of the saints, its literary representation in the acta martyrum, and the development of early Christian Christology and soteriology. It should become a standard work in the history of early Christian martyrdom and a valuable resource for the study of early Christian theology."---David G. Hunter, Bryn Mawr Classical Review
"Moss's argument...will stimulate thought, both about history and about theology."--Viginia Burrus, Church History
"In this carefully argued study, Candida R. Moss makes a convincing case for the broad diversity of theologies and ideologies at play in pre-Constantinian Christian martyr acts...Moss has a remarkable grasp of the relevant primary literature beyond just the "usual suspects" so often assigned in introductory courses. And the work that she does in this book to put more familiar texts in conversation with lesser known ones is a welcome contribution to the field."-- Benjamin, Dunning, Journal of the American Academy of Religion
" In this fascinating study of Christian martyrdoms from the second and third centuries, Candida Moss opens up a new perspective by researching the implications of the imitatio Christi theme: presenting the martyrs as Other Christs."
--Jan Willem van Henten, Professor of New Testament and Director of the Graduate School for Humanities at the University of Amsterdam
"Scholars of Christian antiquity have long been captivated by the accounts of the pre-Constantinian martyrs. With fresh eyes and theoretically informed interests, Candida "Moss devotes this ground breaking study to one the most significant and overlooked themes of this ancient literature: martyrdom as an imitatio Christi. Anyone in the least interested in the early Christian movement should relish this full and insightful study."
-- Bart D. Ehrman, James A. Gray Distinguished Professor of Religious Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
"In The Other Christs , Candida Moss offers a rich and many-layered examination of the ancient Acta of the martyrs, showing how --- despite their many other differences --- these compositions both portray and encourage the imitation of Christ in death as well as in life. Of particular significance is her argument that the Acta represent an important mode of New Testament reception and interpretation. Her skill at putting relatively obscure texts into conversation with all-too-familiar ones leads to a greater appreciation for the place of martyrdom in early Christian thought and practice."
--Luke Timothy Johnson, Robert W. Woodruff Professor of New Testament and Christian Origins, Emory University
"...Moss's study is an impressive work of scholarship..."--Kristin Colberg, St. John's University, Religious Studies Review
"This fine work is an important contribution to an understanding of martyrdom...highly recommended."--CHOICE
"Moss offers an intriguing glimpse into early Christian worldviews."--Interpretation: A Journal of Bible and Theology
Papers by Candida Moss
Beginning with an overview of ancient Greek, Roman, and Jewish ideas about death, Moss demonstrates that there were many cultural contexts within which early Christian views of martyrdom were very much at home. She then shows how distinctive and diverging theologies of martyrdom emerged in different ancient congregations. In the process she reexamines the authenticity of early Christian stories about martyrs and calls into question the dominant scholarly narrative about the spread of martyrdom in the ancient world.
Reviews:
“Candida Moss’ well written book puts the study of ancient martyrdom on a completely new footing by her questioning of received datings and persuasive insistence on the diversity of the sources, practices, and ideologies of martyrdom. It is a milestone in the field.”—Jan Bremmer, University of Groningen
“This is a valuable study on a very important topic and offers a fresh reading of the pre-Decian martyr Acta by a brilliant young scholar who has taken the trouble to gain mastery of the scholarship in both English and German going back to the early modern period, and who is not afraid to go back to the first principles to re-assess the date and context of the sources.”—Kate Cooper, University of Manchester
“Moss successfully overturns longstanding assumptions in reconfiguring our picture of pre-Decian Christian martyrdom, combining erudite awareness of divergent contexts with sophisticated analysis of important texts. Ancient Christian Martyrdom shows that we didn’t know what we thought we knew—but we now know more and see with fresh insight, thanks to her striking illumination of the vibrant, varied discourses of martyrdom in relationship to ancient Mediterranean attitudes about death, suffering, power, and order.”—Brad S. Gregory, author of Salvation at Stake: Christian Martyrdom in Early Modern Europe
“An insightful new history of early Christian martyrdoms and the social realities that shaped them. Tertullian's famous line that the blood of martyrs was the foundation of the Christian Church takes on new dimensions as Professor Moss carefully traces the complex history of the death of Christian witnesses from the second century through Constantine. This volume will make an important contribution to our understanding of the early church.”—Harold Attridge, Yale University
“Compellingly argued and artfully written, Moss reveals how the popular misconception about martyrdom in the early church still creates real barriers to compassion and dialogue today. An important book and a fascinating read.” (—Archbishop Desmond Tutu )
“This is the best sort of history: delightfully accessible yet based on prodigious scholarship, deeply serious, yet entertaining and enlightening. Above all, it shows the reader the importance of sweeping away myth, in order that we do not behave badly in the present, using the past as our excuse.” (—Diarmaid MacCulloch, Professor of the History of the Church at Oxford University and author of Christianity: the First Three Thousand Years )
“A tour de force addition to the literature of sacred violence; a case study in how bold scholarship can dismantle it. Candida Moss’s religious history will change religion, and, if Christians heed it, history, too.” (—James Carroll, Author of Jerusalem, Jerusalem )
“Moss dismantles the wall of righteousness that some Christians erect in order to justify their conflict with others. Without this persecution narrative, we will be better equipped to work together in our complex and pluralistic world.” (—Sister Simone Campbell, Executive Director of NETWORK )
“This is a timely and eye opening book. Moss’ carefully researched and readable account corrects and clarifies an important feature of a history that has been fictionalized for too long.” (—Harvey Cox, Hollis Research Professor of Divinity at Harvard, and author of The Future of Faith )
“In engaging prose and with scholarly acumen, Moss pulls back the curtain on one of Western history’s best-kept secrets-that Christians were never subjects of sustained persecution. Read this book and rejoice as Moss turns history on its head and points the way beyond religious violence.” (—Diana Butler Bass, author of Christianity After Religion )
“Not only has Candida Moss reminded us that much of what we accept uncritically is pious legend, but that such myths poison the religious and political rhetoric of our time. There is something here to offend everyone, which is the first sign of groundbreaking work.” (—Rev. Dr. Robin R. Meyers, UCC Minister and author of The Underground Church: Reclaiming the Subversive Way of Jesus )
“Historical argumentation at its most cogent.” (—Booklist )"
Contributors include: Susan Ackerman, Joel Baden, Adela Collins, Meghan Henning, Nicole Kelley, Saul Olyan, T. M. Lemos, David Tabb Stewart, Rebecca Raphael, Mikeal Parsons, Warren Carter, and Sarah Melcher.
Reviews:
"The editors of this timely collection, which brings together high quality Biblical Studies and an issue of central importance to our society; are to be commended for this pioneering and necessary initiative" -- Christopher Rowland, Dean Ireland's Professor of the Exegesis of Holy Scripture, Queen's College, Oxford University
"This book assembles an impressive array of scholars whose collective work changes the terrain of disability studies and biblical scholarship. Adding nuance and deep expertise to the discourse, Disability Studies and Biblical Literature shows us how much of the previous discussion of religious attitudes toward people with disabilities in the western world has been superficial and general." Lennard Davis, Distinguished Professor of English, University of Chicago.
Reviews:
"Moss's work is brilliant, innovative, compendious, and probing... I would recommend this book heartily not only to students of early Christianity, but to contemporary theologians whose work must take into account the often uncomfortable claims of the martyrs."--Jonathan Zecher, Reviews in Religion and Theology
"This is an original and insightful study that contributes significantly to our understanding of the cult of the saints, its literary representation in the acta martyrum, and the development of early Christian Christology and soteriology. It should become a standard work in the history of early Christian martyrdom and a valuable resource for the study of early Christian theology."---David G. Hunter, Bryn Mawr Classical Review
"Moss's argument...will stimulate thought, both about history and about theology."--Viginia Burrus, Church History
"In this carefully argued study, Candida R. Moss makes a convincing case for the broad diversity of theologies and ideologies at play in pre-Constantinian Christian martyr acts...Moss has a remarkable grasp of the relevant primary literature beyond just the "usual suspects" so often assigned in introductory courses. And the work that she does in this book to put more familiar texts in conversation with lesser known ones is a welcome contribution to the field."-- Benjamin, Dunning, Journal of the American Academy of Religion
" In this fascinating study of Christian martyrdoms from the second and third centuries, Candida Moss opens up a new perspective by researching the implications of the imitatio Christi theme: presenting the martyrs as Other Christs."
--Jan Willem van Henten, Professor of New Testament and Director of the Graduate School for Humanities at the University of Amsterdam
"Scholars of Christian antiquity have long been captivated by the accounts of the pre-Constantinian martyrs. With fresh eyes and theoretically informed interests, Candida "Moss devotes this ground breaking study to one the most significant and overlooked themes of this ancient literature: martyrdom as an imitatio Christi. Anyone in the least interested in the early Christian movement should relish this full and insightful study."
-- Bart D. Ehrman, James A. Gray Distinguished Professor of Religious Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
"In The Other Christs , Candida Moss offers a rich and many-layered examination of the ancient Acta of the martyrs, showing how --- despite their many other differences --- these compositions both portray and encourage the imitation of Christ in death as well as in life. Of particular significance is her argument that the Acta represent an important mode of New Testament reception and interpretation. Her skill at putting relatively obscure texts into conversation with all-too-familiar ones leads to a greater appreciation for the place of martyrdom in early Christian thought and practice."
--Luke Timothy Johnson, Robert W. Woodruff Professor of New Testament and Christian Origins, Emory University
"...Moss's study is an impressive work of scholarship..."--Kristin Colberg, St. John's University, Religious Studies Review
"This fine work is an important contribution to an understanding of martyrdom...highly recommended."--CHOICE
"Moss offers an intriguing glimpse into early Christian worldviews."--Interpretation: A Journal of Bible and Theology