De ”riktigt kristna”, deras ”wänner” och ”motståndare” en lokal- och frikyrkohistorisk studie av Askers baptistförsamlings identitet och mentalitet, 1858−1887

Sammanfattning: The purpose of this work is to do a qualitative study of the identity of the Baptist congregation in Asker and the mentality which is created in that congregation during the period 1858–1887. The question at issue concerns the content, the creation, the continuity, the changes, the rate of exclusion, the expressions, etc of the identity and the mentality.The dissertation is divided into five parts: Part one (chapter 1–2) includes issues of theoretical and methodological interest. The purpose of part two (chapter 3–5) is to give some background information, to sketch the landscape in which the Baptist congregation of Asker is placed. Part three (chapter 6–13) is the main part of the dissertation, in which the results of the study of the eight selected areas are presented and analysed. Part four (chapter 14–15) is the part where the results of the studies of the different areas are put together and the whole picture of the identity and mentality of the congregation is presented. The conclusion is that the identity is constructed out of two kinds of relations, an inner religious and several outer relations, such as the Lutheran state church, the society, the history and so on. These relationships construct the identity. The congregation mediate their identity through preaching, through special institutions and through the normative common life of the congregation. The mentality of the congregation is characterized by spiritual rationality, dualistic thinking, insecure security, limited democracy, and assured faith and efficiency In the last fifth part we find some words for further study and thinking, two appendixes and the list of sources and literature.