In many places the New Testament reflects the Roman Empire's values of social stability, but at the same time, other passages make strong statements that seem to be against the family. What was the family like for the first Christians? How did they combine their family values and their new faith? When there were conflicts between family and faith, how did early Christians make choices between them?

Osiek and Balch provide solid scholarship on these issues, informed by archaeological work and illustrated by figures and photographs.