In the web of cultural processes of late antiquity ablution rites and initiation rites were performed in different forms and in different contexts. Such rites existed in Early Judaism and Greco-Roman cults and were also applied in early Christianity under the label “baptism”, however, not as one fixed rite uniformly performed and interpreted. Baptismal rites developed diversely corresponding to the diversity among Christian groups of which some later came to be perceived as heretical. Remains of art, architecture and texts from these contexts were discussed in two conferences gathering scholars who are excellent within their respective fields: text studies, studies of rites, archaeology, architecture, history of art, and cultural anthropology. These different fields of research have in recent years generated new knowledge that is relevant for the discussion of ablution and initiation rites and their function in late antiquity. At the same time interests of research have altered in favour of a growing cooperation across discipline borders.The present volumes are the outcome of two conferences in Rome 2008 and at Metochi (Lesbos) 2009.

In the web of cultural processes of late antiquity ablution rites and initiation rites were performed in different forms and in different contexts. Such rites existed in Early Judaism and Greco-Roman cults and were also applied in early Christianity under the label “baptism”, however, not as one fixed rite uniformly performed and interpreted. Baptismal rites developed diversely corresponding to the diversity among Christian groups of which some later came to be perceived as heretical. Remains of art, architecture and texts from these contexts were discussed in two conferences gathering scholars who are excellent within their respective fields: text studies, studies of rites, archaeology, architecture, history of art, and cultural anthropology. These different fields of research have in recent years generated new knowledge that is relevant for the discussion of ablution and initiation rites and their function in late antiquity. At the same time interests of research have altered in favour of a growing cooperation across discipline borders.The present volumes are the outcome of two conferences in Rome 2008 and at Metochi (Lesbos) 2009.

Diese drei Bände sind das Ergebnis zweier Konferenzen; die erste fand an der Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, die zweite am Metochi Studienzentrum der Universität Agder auf Lesbos statt. Wissenschaftler aus der ganzen Welt bilden einen internationalen, interdisziplinären und interkonfessionellen Forschungsverbund aus verschiedenen Fachgebieten wie der Religionsgeschichte, Altphilologie, Altem und Neuem Testament, Judaistik, Patristik, Archäologie und Kunstgeschichte. Abbildungen, Illustrationen und Register vervollständigen den Band.Die Bandbreite der Untersuchungen ermöglicht dem Leser sowohl eine eindeutigere Interpretation des Ursprungs des Herrenmahls und seiner Entwicklung in der frühen Kirche, als auch ein besseres Verständnis des religiösen und kulturellen Hintergrunds von heiligen und gemeinschaftlichen Mahlen im Allgemeinen in den Gesellschaften der Antike.

This volume of collected essays on Ephesians is divided into three sections. The first part deals thoroughly with introductory questions such as composition and style, the relationship to other Early Christian literature and Qumran, authorship (with a new suggestion), addressees and social setting. In the second part the extensive history of Early Christian texts and editions (in the Muratorian canon, the Marcionite prologues and the Euthalian apparatus) with special regard to Ephesians is investigated. The third part is dedicated to the interpretation of texts and themes of special importance for the understanding of this pseudo-pauline letter by one of Paul's younger disciples and co-workers. Here the theological and liturgical setting is reflected upon. Through all the detailed scrutiny of the history and the semantics of the epistle to the Ephesians, the question of its illocutionary function remains in focus. Not only what the auctor of Ephesians says in his letter but what he does by saying it is the central issue in Nils Alstrup Dahl's life-long interest in this intriguing letter. More than half of these essays have never been published before, and one essay is translated from Norwegian into English for the first time.

In the web of cultural processes of late antiquity ablution rites and initiation rites were performed in different forms and in different contexts. Such rites existed in Early Judaism and Greco-Roman cults and were also applied in early Christianity under the label “baptism”, however, not as one fixed rite uniformly performed and interpreted. Baptismal rites developed diversely corresponding to the diversity among Christian groups of which some later came to be perceived as heretical. Remains of art, architecture and texts from these contexts were discussed in two conferences gathering scholars who are excellent within their respective fields: text studies, studies of rites, archaeology, architecture, history of art, and cultural anthropology. These different fields of research have in recent years generated new knowledge that is relevant for the discussion of ablution and initiation rites and their function in late antiquity. At the same time interests of research have altered in favour of a growing cooperation across discipline borders.The present volumes are the outcome of two conferences in Rome 2008 and at Metochi (Lesbos) 2009.

In the web of cultural processes of late antiquity ablution rites and initiation rites were performed in different forms and in different contexts. Such rites existed in Early Judaism and Greco-Roman cults and were also applied in early Christianity under the label “baptism”, however, not as one fixed rite uniformly performed and interpreted. Baptismal rites developed diversely corresponding to the diversity among Christian groups of which some later came to be perceived as heretical. Remains of art, architecture and texts from these contexts were discussed in two conferences gathering scholars who are excellent within their respective fields: text studies, studies of rites, archaeology, architecture, history of art, and cultural anthropology. These different fields of research have in recent years generated new knowledge that is relevant for the discussion of ablution and initiation rites and their function in late antiquity. At the same time interests of research have altered in favour of a growing cooperation across discipline borders.The present volumes are the outcome of two conferences in Rome 2008 and at Metochi (Lesbos) 2009.

Diese drei Bände sind das Ergebnis zweier Konferenzen; die erste fand an der Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, die zweite am Metochi Studienzentrum der Universität Agder auf Lesbos statt. Wissenschaftler aus der ganzen Welt bilden einen internationalen, interdisziplinären und interkonfessionellen Forschungsverbund aus verschiedenen Fachgebieten wie der Religionsgeschichte, Altphilologie, Altem und Neuem Testament, Judaistik, Patristik, Archäologie und Kunstgeschichte. Abbildungen, Illustrationen und Register vervollständigen den Band.Die Bandbreite der Untersuchungen ermöglicht dem Leser sowohl eine eindeutigere Interpretation des Ursprungs des Herrenmahls und seiner Entwicklung in der frühen Kirche, als auch ein besseres Verständnis des religiösen und kulturellen Hintergrunds von heiligen und gemeinschaftlichen Mahlen im Allgemeinen in den Gesellschaften der Antike.

This volume of collected essays on Ephesians is divided into three sections. The first part deals thoroughly with introductory questions such as composition and style, the relationship to other Early Christian literature and Qumran, authorship (with a new suggestion), addressees and social setting. In the second part the extensive history of Early Christian texts and editions (in the Muratorian canon, the Marcionite prologues and the Euthalian apparatus) with special regard to Ephesians is investigated. The third part is dedicated to the interpretation of texts and themes of special importance for the understanding of this pseudo-pauline letter by one of Paul's younger disciples and co-workers. Here the theological and liturgical setting is reflected upon. Through all the detailed scrutiny of the history and the semantics of the epistle to the Ephesians, the question of its illocutionary function remains in focus. Not only what the auctor of Ephesians says in his letter but what he does by saying it is the central issue in Nils Alstrup Dahl's life-long interest in this intriguing letter. More than half of these essays have never been published before, and one essay is translated from Norwegian into English for the first time.