The Spirit and the 'Other': Social Identity, Ethnicity and Intergroup Reconciliation in Luke-Acts

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Kuecker uses an artillery of social identity theory to demonstrate that in Luke's narrative the Spirit is the central figure in the formation of a new social identity. In his argumenation Kuecker provides extended exegetical treatments of Luke 1-4 and Acts 1-15. He shows that Luke 1-4 establishes a foundation for Luke's understanding of the relationship between human identity, the Spirit, and the 'other' - especially as it relates to the distribution of in-group benefits beyond group boundaries. With regard to Acts 1-15, Kuecker shows that the Spirit acts whenever human identity is in question in order to transform communities and individuals via the formation of a new social identity. Kuecker argues that Luke depicts this Spirit-formed social identity as a different way of being human in community, relative to the normative identity processes of other groups in his narrative. This transformed identity produces profound expressions of interethnic reconciliation in Luke-Acts expressed through reformed economic practice, impressive intergroup hospitality, and a reoriented use of ethnic language.

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Author Bio

Aaron Kuecker is Associate Professor of Theology at Trinity Christian College. Dr. Kuecker is an ordained minister in the Reformed Church in America and recently completed his PhD at St. Mary's College, University of St. Andrews.