Preface; Introduction; 1 Research Problem; 2 Research Question and Methodology; 3 The Present Study; 1Jewish Christianity; 1 Continuity; 2 Differentiation; 2Resurrection Belief; 1 Resurrection, Angelic Afterlife, or Ascension of the Soul to Heaven?; 2 A Continued Existence; 3Sectarianism; 1 Difference: Unconventional Views on the Conventional Family; 2 Antagonism: Hermas' Horizon; 3 Separation: Group Boundaries; 4 Type of Sectarianism; 4The Roman Empire; 1 Hermas and the Authorities; 2 Hermas and the Emperor Cult; Concluding Remarks; 5Women; 1 Sexuality; 2 Female Visibility. 3 Gender RolesConcluding Remarks; 6"Charity"; 1 Charity as Pious Duty in the Self-Interest of the Giver; 7Baptism and Metanoia; 1 Baptism; 2 Metanoia; Concluding Remarks; 8Community Meals; 1 Vision 3,9; 2 Similitude 9,11; 3 The Lord's Supper as a Real (Filling) Meal; Concluding Remarks; 9The Sunday Collection; 1 Frequency, Day and Occasion; 2 Personal Help; 3 Give and Take; Concluding Remarks; 10Dancing (and Singing); 1 Dancing in a Christian Gathering; 2 Parallels; 3 Meaning; Concluding Remarks; 11The "Holy Kiss"; 1 A Welcoming Kiss of Honour; 2 A Kiss with Ritual Connotations. Concluding RemarksGeneral Conclusions; Bibliography; Index of Ancient Sources; Index of Modern Authors. ‎