Kahl, WernerWernerKahl2024-08-192024-08-192024978-3-98989-012-1https://fis.uni-bamberg.de/handle/uniba/96599In Early Christianity, the meaning of Gospel fundamentally implied the belief that the God of Israel extended his grace, mercy and justice to peoples across cultures, religions, and regions. On the social plane, the necessary consequence of this belief in the significance of the Christ event, was the creation of cross-cultural communities. Everyone, regardless of status, place of origin, gender and religio-cultural heritage was welcomed in these faith- und living-communities. The members were all regarded as children of God and therefore as brothers and sisters of an equal standing. Joining these communities did not require one to leave his/her culture behind but only those cultural aspects or attitudes that aim at disrespecting or hurting others. The hospitality extended to potential new members in the Christ believing communities included an appreciation of difference. At the same time, the ethos of these communities did not allow for any claims of superiority.engHospitalityDifferenceInterculturalHuman DignityCcommunal230bookpart