"Anyone who has traveled to archaeological sites in the biblical lands has likely encountered an eight-spoked 'wheel' and been told that it was probably an ancient game board. Or perhaps they were told that the Greek letters that spell 'fish' (IXC) also form the Greek abbreviation for 'Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior'--and that these letters could be superimposed on each other to produce this eight-spoked 'wheel.' Scholars have debated these two options for decades, but Danny Hays may have ended this debate! He makes a solid case that this "'wheel' is an early Christian symbol, a type of Christogram. His extensive research traces the development of early Christian symbols and abbreviations for Jesus Christ. He documents numerous sites where clearly Christian symbols (including crosses) occur near eight-spoked wheels. He also shows that these symbols occur in strategic locations in ancient pagan temples, reflecting Christians' desire to cleanse these places from demonic forces and to declare Christ's victory over them following the Great Persecution of 303-313 and the subsequent spread of Christianity following Constantine's victory in 313. This book is extensively researched and accessibly written. The numerous photos illustrate examples of Christian symbols and abbreviations.

Hays makes a compelling, cumulative, and perhaps definitive case for understanding the eight-spoked 'wheel' as a pervasive early Christian symbol--not a gameboard--that come to be used throughout the Roman Empire. This book makes an important contribution to the material culture of the earliest Christians and offer new insights into their faith and courage."--Dana M. Harris " Professor and Department Chair, New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School" (9/6/2024 12:00:00 AM).