John-Christian Eurell studies Peter as an authority figure in Christian texts from the first three centuries, taking New Testament, patristic and early Christian texts into consideration. He uses the source material in order to understand how legitimacy was created for various theological positions.

John-Christian Eurell studies how Peter's authority is portrayed to create legitimacy in Christian texts. Peter emerges as a central figure in the diverse early Christian movement and is used to discuss theological legitimacy. The main divide is between those who argue that legitimate theology should have a conservative point of departure based on traditional material handed down from the earthly Jesus and an apostolic succession based on interpersonal relations and those who argue in favour of a more progressive point of departure which places emphasis on contemporary charismatic experiences. These perspectives are utilised by groups of various theological persuasions to argue their own position. Peter is seen as a positive and negative example for both these ways of creating legitimacy.

Autorentext
Born 1987; 2011 BA in Biblical studies, Oral Roberts University; 2013 MA in exegetical theology, Stockholm School of Theology; 2017 BA in theology, Uppsala University; 2021 ThD in Biblical studies, Stockholm School of Theology; currently postdoctoral researcher, Stockholm School of Theology.