This thesis seeks to answer questions regarding Paul’s understanding of
Christian identity by arguing that Paul views Christian identity as a superordinate or
New Human identity in which many previous identities persist as subordinate identities,
transformed by the superordinate Christian identity—although some previous identities
must cease as they are not compatible with the superordinate Christian identity.
Utilizing the combined approaches of Social Identity Theory and Self-Categorization
Theory, I describe the perspectives that Paul presents in his correspondence with the
Thessalonians, Galatians and Corinthians. As regards the Thessalonians, Paul observes
that the Thessalonians succeeded in adopting Christian identity. In comparison, the
Galatians, while recognizing their need for transforming their subordinate identities, are
foolishly attempting to adopt a Judean identity. Finally, Paul rebukes the Corinthians for
failing to appropriately adopt Christian identity and for choosing instead to continue to
live according to their Old Human identity. / Thesis / Master of Arts (MA)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:mcmaster.ca/oai:macsphere.mcmaster.ca:11375/29188 |
| Date | 03 1900 |
| Creators | Conroy, Joshua D. |
| Contributors | Land, Christopher D., Christian Studies |
| Source Sets | McMaster University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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