Petrus

Simon, son of John, receives from Jesus the epithet Peter (rock). Under this name, the fisherman of the Sea of Galilee appears as one of the first and closest followers of Jesus. The texts portray him as a spokesman, confessor and go-getter, denier on Good Friday and witness on Easter morning. Later he assumes responsibility as organizer, preacher and mediator. Thus a multifaceted and ambivalent picture of this special disciple of Jesus emerges. Is he the foundation for the building of the church - or the wavering character, put in his place by Paul? Does he turn out to be more of a controversial or a unifying figure? The book traces these questions on the basis of biblical sources and sources outside the Bible. It culminates in the question concerning the extent to which various images of Peter reveal contours of a "Petrine ministry" that could gain new significance for the church of our day.