Search results for ""author reidar hvalvik""

The present volume consists of fifteen essays by colleagues and friends of the late Professor Hans Kvalbein focusing on various aspects of the theme of the church and mission in the New Testament and early Christianity. It also includes a survey of Hans Kvalbein's academic career and scholarship as well as a bibliography of his books and articles. Among the contributions are several related to the question of mission in Acts, while others focus on various texts and topics in the gospels, in Paul, in 1 Peter and Revelation. Some of the contributors interact with Kvalbein's views on aspects of the mission of the early church, for example the understanding of mission in Matthew and the proclamation of the Kingdom of God. Others deal with questions such as mission and love of enemies, mass conversions and persecutions, infant baptism and the geographical horizon of early Christian mission.

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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.

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