Includes bibliographical references (pages 152-158) and indexes

Language of Worship -- To Worship -- Other Vocabulary -- Related Terms -- Doxologies -- Language of Benediction -- Conclusion -- Practice of Worship -- Prayer -- Hymns -- Sacred Space, Sacred Times , Sacred Meals, Sacred People -- Sacrifice -- Conclusion -- Monotheism, Beavenly Mediators and Divine Agents -- The Lord our God is One Lord -- Angels -- Spirit, Wisdom and Word -- Exalted Human Beings -- Conclusion -- Lord Jesus Christ -- Was Jesus a Monotheist -- Jesus is Lord -- Word, Wisdom, and Spirit -- Testimony of the Apocalypse of John -- Jesus as God -- Last Adam, Mediator, Heavenly Intercessor -- How Helpful is it to Re-Express the Issues in Terms of Divine Identity

"Any book by James Dunn is worth reading, and this is no exception. It is a challenging and thought-provoking book that raises central issues for Christian faith and practice."--Christopher Rowland, Dean Ireland Professor of the Exegesis of Holy Scripture, University of Oxford" "This volume offers a transparent and accessible treatment of early Christian monotheistic belief and practice by a scholar who has devoted many years to the study of early Christian convictions about Jesus. Dunn's ability to combine an appreciation for complex issues with clarity of argument make this work a mùst read' as a riveting introduction to the role and function of Jesus in the worship of God during the first century."--Loren T. Stuckenbruck, Richard Dearborn Professor of New Testament Studies, Princeton Theological Seminary" "In this fascinating exploration of the nascent stages of the Christianity we know today, the author raises some fascinating yet vexing questions: What is worship? Is the fact that worship is offered to God (or a god) what defines him (or her) as "G/god"? What does the act of worship actually involve? The conviction that God exalted Jesus to his right hand obviously is central to Christian recognition of the divine status of Jesus. But what did that mean for the first Christians as they sought to reconcile God's status and that of the human Jesus?" "The questions are challenging but readers are ably guided by James Dunn, one of the world's top New Testament scholars."--Jacket