In a recent post for Biblical Archeology Review, I describe the famous, second-century inscription on the gravestone of Abercius, a Phrygian Christian who died around 190 C. E. Since most online translations seemed dated, I included a fresh translation of the epigram, copied below for public access and use. A citizen of an elect city, I constructed this tombstone while still alive, so that I might have a notable resting place for my body here. I am Abercius, a disciple of the

Apart from a few Pauline letters, most documents in the New Testament do not provide sufficient information to determine exactly when...