In 2015, a large number of refugees sought asylum in Sweden. The following year, the churches saw an influx of refugees who wanted to convert from Islam to Christianity. Some congregations baptized many, others baptized few. Some converts were denied baptism. To contribute to a clearer picture of the church’s acting, this essay seeks to examine the possibilities and obstacles which met refugees that wanted to be baptized in a Swedish church tradition between 2016 and 2020. To do so, converts, priests from The Church of Sweden and a pastor from Pingstkyrkan are interviewed. People in an organization like the church have different social positions that creates superiority and subordination between individuals. Therefore, this study is based on both a power ethical and ecclesiological perspectives. The power perspective is analyzed on the basis of the theoretical approach formulated by the authors of the anthology Church in an Age of Global Migration, about whether the church appears as a cross-border and relational body where current order of power is constantly challenged, or not. When it comes to the factors that influence church leaders and converts decisions about baptism, the analysis is based on Sune Fahlgren's Theory of Preachership as an ecclesiological practice that becomes the church DNA, and on Jeff Astelys Theory of Ordinary theology, where people's personal experiences shape perceptions of salvation and a good life. The converts in the study seek fellowship and a God that is distinctly forgiving. They also see baptism as the entrance to a new life. This proves the thesis that people interpret salvation based on what they need. Other factors that affect their relation to baptism are a residence permit, home address, citizen number, age, acceptance of conversion from guardians of minor converts, language and the duration of the baptismal process. Converts genuine will to be baptized is also important. These factors can be obstacles or opportunities, depending on if the converts situation is in line with the church ́s wishes. These wishes seem to be based on certain norms. In the context of the Church of Sweden, there are a number of rules and dogmas. However, it is unclear which should be followed, and where in the organization the power lies. Therefore, the interpretation of the baptismal factors rests on the individual priest. The Pentecostal church lacks written dogmas, but in line with Fahlgren's Preachership theory there are informal norms that are interpreted individually by the pastor. This shows that the converts have the power to propose baptism but lack the power to ensure that they are actually baptized. Based on this, the Church shown in this study is not the mobile, cross-border and power-challenging body as described in the anthology Church in an Age of Global Migration.

This thesis explores the life and reign of Julian the Apostate the man who ruled over the Roman Empire from A.D. 361-363. The study of Julian the Apostate’s reign has historically been eclipsed due to his clash with Christianity. After the murder of his family in 337 by his Christian cousin Constantius, Julian was sent into exile. These emotional experiences would impact his view of the Christian religion for the remainder of his life. Julian did have conflict with the Christians but his main goal in the end was the revival of ancient paganism and the restoration of the Empire back to her glory. The purpose of this study is to trace the education and experiences that Julian had undergone and the effects they it had on his reign. Julian was able to have both a Christian and pagan education that would have a lifelong influence on his reign. Julian’s career was a short but significant one. Julian restored the cities of the empire and made beneficial reforms to the legal, educational, political and religious institutions throughout the Empire. The pagan historians praised him for his public services to the empire while the Christians have focused on his apostasy and “persecution” of their faith. With his untimely death in Persia, Julian’s successor Jovian, reversed most of his previous reforms and as such left Julian as the last pagan emperor of the Roman Empire.