Early Christian Prayer and Identity Formation
Buch in deiner Nähe kaufen
Beschreibung
When does it make sense to speak of a Christian identity in antiquity? Prayer brings into the discussion several dimensions relevant for a religious identity; prayer practices mirrored theology, and were Christocentric in orientation and focus. The contributors of this volume analyze how prayer-texts had an impact on those exposed to them and were important in shaping and expressing identity.
The contributors of this volume address the question of identity among Christ-believers from the viewpoint of prayer. Prayer brings into the discussion several dimensions that make up religious identity. It is attested rather early that prayer was theology performed, and thus intertwined with emerging theologies. Furthermore, prayer was Christocentric in orientation and focus. As of yet, these aspects have not received due attention in scholarly discussions. Christian identity, albeit fragile and complex, was taking shape already in the first century and found itself on the verge between textual phenomenon and social realities. The texts had an impact on those who were exposed to them, in creating representations of social reality, but were not to be identified with that reality. Texts on prayer are prescriptive in that they recommend certain notions of Christian identity, with the addressees invited to embrace certain ways of thinking and acting. The present volume looks into that process.
Autor*in
Reidar Hvalvik
Born 1951; 1994 Dr.theol.; 1994-2005 Associate Professor, since 2005 Professor in New Testament studies at MF Norwegian School of Theology; 2006-07 Research Professor at the Norwegian Institute in Rome.
Themen in »Early Christian Prayer and Identity Formation«
Parting of the Ways Religious Identity New Testament