This enthralling and challenging work will cast doubt on practically every prevailing view of Christianity's origins, suggesting that even the most radical forms of Higher Criticism are grossly in error as to both historical timelines and sociological conditions prevailing during the 1st Century A.D. Of keen interest to all students of history, religion, and civilization; this thesis utilizes Greek, Roman, and Early Christian sources to present a portrait of the infant Church as an independent and unique social construct.