The Lord’s Prayer in the Early Church : The Pearl of Great Price

The Lord's Prayer is arguably the most important prayer in Christianity. Still, exactly how the prayer developed in the life of the early church has remained hidden in ancient manuscripts. Hammerling's thorough and ground-breaking examination of these works reveals that early authors enthusiastically expounded upon its power and mystery, claiming that the prayer uttered by Christ belonged at the core of Christian ritual and beliefs. Many early church writers labeled it a "perfect summary of the gospel" and joyously referred to it as a pearl of great price and worth. - Publisher. This volume is the often-surprising story of how early Christians used and interpreted the Lord's Prayer (LP) in public worship and private devotions. The Lord's Prayer is arguably the most important prayer in Christianity. Still, exactly how the prayer developed in the life of the early church has remained hidden in ancient manuscripts. Hammerling's thorough and ground-breaking examination of these works reveals that early authors enthusiastically expounded upon its power and mystery, claiming that the prayer uttered by Christ belonged at the core of Christian ritual and beliefs. Many early church writers labeled it a "perfect summary of the gospel" and joyously referred to it as a pearl of great price and worth The Lord s Prayer is arguably the most important prayer in Christianity. Still, exactly how the prayer developed in the life of the early church has remained hidden in ancient manuscripts. Hammerling s thorough and ground-breaking examination of these works reveals that early authors enthusiastically expounded upon its power and mystery, claiming that the prayer uttered by Christ belonged at the core of Christian ritual and beliefs. Many early church writers labeled it a "perfect summary of the gospel" and joyously referred to it as a pearl of great price and worth. Cover......Page 1 Contents......Page 8 List of Tables......Page 10 Acknowledgments......Page 12 Abbreviations......Page 14 Introduction......Page 16 1 The Pearl of Great Price......Page 18 2 The Wondrous Origins of the Lord’s Prayer......Page 26 3 The Flowering of the Lord’s Prayer Tradition......Page 60 Conclusion: A Jewel of Unsurpassed Worth......Page 138 Notes......Page 148 Selected Bibliography......Page 186 Index......Page 202 This Volume Is The Often-surprising Story Of How Early Christians Used And Interpreted The Lord's Prayer (lp) In Public Worship And Private Devotions. The Pearl Of Great Price -- The Wondrous Origins Of The Lord's Prayer -- The Flowering Of The Lord's Prayer Tradition -- Conclusion: A Jewel Of Unsurpassed Worth. The Pearl Of Great Price -- Roy Hammerling. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.