Alan Kreider – författare

For well over a millennium the civilization of Western Europe was 'Christendom,' with Christianity the dominant religion, buttressed by social and legal structures. This volume studies Christendom at its origins, bringing the insights of leading scholars in the fields of ancient history, theology, patristics, and liturgy to bear on aspects of Europe's Christianization. From a missiological perspective, the contributors ask what is Christianity's impact upon culture, what is culture's impact upon Christianity? Focusing on the first four centuries, but also looking forward to the future of Christianity in the West, this book combines scholarly excellence with accessibility. It will be valued by scholars and students alike.

For well over a millennium the civilization of Western Europe was ''Christendom,'' with Christianity the dominant religion, buttressed by social and legal structures. This volume studies Christendom at its origins, bringing the insights of leading scholars in the fields of ancient history, theology, patristics, and liturgy to bear on aspects of Europe''s Christianization. From a missiological perspective, the contributors ask what is Christianity''s impact upon culture, what is culture''s impact upon Christianity? Focusing on the first four centuries, but also looking forward to the future of Christianity in the West, this book combines scholarly excellence with accessibility. It will be valued by scholars and students alike.

Part of an expanding and academically acclaimed series, this is a genuine trans-denominational work on Nonconformity.

Does the market promote its own intrinsic and selfish values, or does it merely reflect the values of society? This collection offers reports from all areas of the business and policy sectors, providing a debate on the supposedly conflicting relationship between the market and spiritual values.

How and why did the early church grow in the first four hundred years despite disincentives, harassment, and occasional persecution? In this unique historical study, veteran scholar Alan Kreider delivers the fruit of a lifetime of study as he tells the amazing story of the spread of Christianity in the Roman Empire. Challenging traditional understandings, Kreider contends the church grew because the virtue of patience was of central importance in the life and witness of the early Christians. They wrote about patience, not evangelism, and reflected on prayer, catechesis, and worship, yet the church grew--not by specific strategies but by patient ferment.

How and why did the early church grow in the first four hundred years despite disincentives, harassment, and occasional persecution? In this unique historical study, veteran scholar Alan Kreider delivers the fruit of a lifetime of study as he tells the amazing story of the spread of Christianity in the Roman Empire. Challenging traditional understandings, Kreider contends the church grew because the virtue of patience was of central importance in the life and witness of the early Christians. They wrote about patience, not evangelism, and reflected on prayer, catechesis, and worship, yet the church grew--not by specific strategies but by patient ferment.

Why is peace such a divisive issue, even among Christians? Why is it so hard to practice right here right now? Why is peace often considered an extra, rather than an essential, to faithful Christian living? The three authors decided to write this book when the Indonesian member of the team remarked to the other two: "If the Christian church is to make any impact on Indonesia, it must address itself to the biggest peace issue -- reconciliation with Muslims." But before the writers could honestly consider that explosive possibility, they first had to ask why Christians find it so difficult to live peaceably with other Christians. They''ve discovered that conflict is often a prerequisite of peace. They grant that peace is a continuum -- easier to live in some areas of life than in others. They''ve learned that peace has two parents -- hard work and grace. Living in peace is muscular activity.           The authors suggest how to develop "peacemaking reflexes"; how churches "can learn to handle conflict well"; and how to cultivate vulnerability and humility, two essential "attitudes of peacemakers." True stories from communities around the world support this hopeful but strenuous call to faithful living.

First-class insight into the life and mission of the Christian church in the first four centuries, based on solid scholarship and a clear sense of mission. --Samuel Escobar, Palmer Theological SeminaryWritten in a lively and clear manner, this small volume makes many connections between different aspects of early Christian history and practice. I have learned from reading it and recommend it to both scholars and beginners. --Paul Bradshaw, University of Notre DameKreider traces the changing nature of the process of conversion across some four centuries. I know of no better treatment of religious initiation undergone by the most seriously committed Christians of this period. --Ramsay MacMullen, Yale University I recommend this book highly to anyone interested not only in the history and theology of Christian initiation, but in the relationship of Christianity and culture throughout the ages. - Maxwell E. Johnson, University of Notre Dame, in 'Worship'

Rarely does one find a book on the topic of holiness with such depth as well as breadth. Kreider takes us on a journey deep into biblical territory and back again into the lives of nations, churches, familiesand individuals. In this journey the reader is convicted and drawn by the beauty of holiness. We Pentecostals need this word. --Cheryl Bridges Johns, Church of God Theological SeminaryKreider's Social Holiness surprises! While holiness indeed owns the otherness of God and the call to be God's separated people, it does much more. Holiness unleashes in history a living force, a dynamism that envisions the sanctification of God's entire creation. Holiness is positive, the 'heartbeat' of Missio Dei. I highly recommend this book for its life-changing potential, both personally and for the church as God's new nation. --Willard M. Swartley, Associated Mennonite Biblical SeminaryAlan Kreider writes a masterful narrative about social holiness from which Pentecostals can learn much as they reaffirm and recover this important dimension of their heritage. Its familiar terrain serves not only as a timely reminder of a way of life Pentecostals still cherish, but also as a challenge to reconsider crucial features of that way of life long forgotten. --Dale M. Coulter, Regent UniversityAlan Kreider has gifted us with an inspiring, hopeful, and transformative invitation to follow Jesus on the journey toward personal and social holiness. His prophetic call to participate in Jesus' transnational renewal movement challenges families, congregations, students, and all Christians with practical ideas emerging from the biblical story of God's kingship and our citizenship in the holy nation. [ I appreciate his emphasis on moral zeal, experience, liberating action, storytelling, praise, and the risk of repentance and trust, and think] this book can be a great resource for helping the church with our public witness to Christ's shalom in a broken world. --Paul Alexander, Azusa Pacific UniversityKreider's Social Holiness breaks new ground and makes new connections, both in his overview of biblical history and in his application of social holiness to the contemporary church. I hope this book will help many believers today - Wesleyans, Anabaptists, and those from other traditions - become more fully and authentically a part of God's 'holy nation' in the world today. --Howard A. Snyder, Asbury Theological SeminaryOurs is the age of bombast, exaggeration, hyper-activism and self-importance--all of which leaves us feeling empty. We have lost the capacity for reverence, awe, and experience of the transcendent. Alan Kreider has the audacity to call us back to the transforming presence of God so that we become God-like. This book's message can help set us free from the bondage of our self-centeredness and liberate us to participate in the mission of God. --Wilbert R. Shenk, Fuller Theological SeminaryLively, gutsy . . . Holiness is about practical social matters--such as economic relationships, making peace, working for justice . . . Kreider takes us through the Bible to show how deeply these themes are embedded in the text and how persistent has been the failure of the community of faith to be true to them . . . A must for serious-minded Christians today. --Rt. Rev. John Gladwin, Bishop of Chelmsford, in Third Way

The chantries of medieval England were founded in the belief that intercessory masses shortened the period spent by souls in purgatory. They played a greater role in the daily life of sixteenth-century Englishmen than did monasteries, yet up to now the dissolution of the chantries has not been a popular subject of study. Alan Kreider rectifies this, establishing the importance of the chantries in the story of late medieval and Reformation England. He discusses their social and religious significance. He explains the role of purgatory in the founding of chantries and in the theological debates, popular preaching and political struggles unleashed by the Reformation that led to their confiscation. He explores the forces that led the governments of Henry VIII and Edward VI to jettison traditional practices, and he underlines the pain of state-fostered religious change.

Graham Kendrick, John Bell and John Harper join other top names in religious music in this manual for church musicians which covers all tastes and styles. They explore what kind of music will speak in today's consumerist, multi-cultural, post-modern society where church attendance is in decline, yet chart-topping sales of CDs by composers such as John Tavener indicate real spiritual openness. This volume assesses the great variety of music on offer in different churches and searches for a way forward for music in worship. A cross-denominational resource, it is aimed at musicians, worship leaders, clergy and all concerned with the mission and worship of the churches.

Die meisten Gemeinden brauchen nicht weniger Streit, sondern mehr - die Fähigkeit, Meinungsverschiedenheiten und Spannungen offen und konstruktiv zu begegnen. Wenn die Kirche als Folge übernatürlicher Versöhnung entstand, warum erleben wir Versöhnung dann so selten konkret, hier und jetzt? Warum ist das Thema Frieden selbst unter Christen sogar ein echtes Reizthema?In diesem Buch zeigen die Autoren - erfahren in Konfliktlösung und -transformation -, wie zentral die Kultur des Friedens in der guten Nachricht von Jesus Christus verankert ist. Sie schildern, wie Kirchen lernen können, mit Konflikten umzugehen, wie man Verletzlichkeit und Demut entwickeln kann und wie Versöhnung möglich wird. Und sie beschreiben praktische Schritte, die Mut machen und Hoffnung vermitteln. Für hier und jetzt. Und für die Welt."Exzellent - eine biblisch solide, äußerst lesenswerte großartige Neuformulierung von Jesu Ruf zum Friedenstiften." (Ronald J. Sider, Evangelicals for Social Action)"Eine Berufung, die nicht kompliziert ist, sondern zutiefst herausfordernd und unvermeidbar, wenn wir Jesus ernsthaft nachfolgen wollen." (Lynn Green, Jugend mit einer Mission)

The interaction between Christianity and 'the world' has always been paradoxical, and this stimulating book, which contains contributions by seven authors, argues that the nonconformist tradition in Britain is a particularly illuminating example of how this paradox has expressed itself in the relationship of Christianity and 'culture'. The essays consider the development of chapel culture and the differences between the various nonconformist denominations, and between them and religious dissenters in other countries. They also examine the interaction between nonconformist culture and the culture of 'the world', in particular in relation to political, economic and gender history. There is discussion of a whole range of subjects, such as the emergence of the nonconformist conscience, the contribution of women writers to provincial nonconformity and the architecture of the free churches. This fascinating and varied collection of essays is an example of the insights which a study of denominational history can offer to other branches of historical research. It also addresses a problem which still confronts churches in Britain at the close of the twentieth century: the relationship of Christianity to 'the world'. The book is written by the foremost scholars in British religious history.