Die tempel-metafoor in Efesiërs 2:11–22 as deel van identiteitsvorming van die gelowige in-groep

The temple metaphor in Ephesians 2:11–22 as part of identity formation of the believing in-group. One of the basic human needs is to belong, feel accepted and be part of a group. During the first century people from different backgrounds believed in Jesus, consequently unity among believers became a...

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Autor principal:	Aletta Vrey
Formato:	article
Lenguaje:	AF EN
Publicado:	AOSIS 2021
Materias:	ephesians temple metaphor artemis temple identity formation social identity theory christian unity in-groups jewish gentiles Practical Theology BV1-5099 Practical religion. The Christian life BV4485-5099
Acceso en línea:	https://doaj.org/article/4f6c54ad992b4f0da4b20aeebae7a7b7
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spelling	oai:doaj.org-article:4f6c54ad992b4f0da4b20aeebae7a7b72021-11-24T07:40:42ZDie tempel-metafoor in Efesiërs 2:11–22 as deel van identiteitsvorming van die gelowige in-groep1018-64412305-085310.4102/ids.v55i1.2760https://doaj.org/article/4f6c54ad992b4f0da4b20aeebae7a7b72021-10-01T00:00:00Zhttps://indieskriflig.org.za/index.php/skriflig/article/view/2760https://doaj.org/toc/1018-6441https://doaj.org/toc/2305-0853The temple metaphor in Ephesians 2:11–22 as part of identity formation of the believing in-group. One of the basic human needs is to belong, feel accepted and be part of a group. During the first century people from different backgrounds believed in Jesus, consequently unity among believers became a challenge. The inclusive heart of God, the atonement of Christ and the Holy Spirit unites believers from different backgrounds and groups. This article examines spiritual unity as part of the believers’ identity as portrayed by the temple metaphor in Ephesians 2:11–22. Christians should acknowledge their differences, as the author of Ephesians clearly does, without causing division in the group. Identity formation is linked to group membership, therefore the identity of the early Christian group is examined, to determine the influence it still has on the present-day unity among believers. We divide our society into groups and tend to discriminate against those that are different from us. These phenomena were part of the social interaction of Christians in the first century. To better understand the social functioning of the ancient Mediterranean world, this article uses Social Identity Theory to identify and compare the groups in Ephesians. The Jews and Gentiles were the out-groups. In the context of the letter, Gentiles were Artemis-worshippers. The Christians formed the in-group. The identity of the out-groups, to which Christians previously belonged, should be considered to determine the identity of the in-group. The metaphor of the spiritual temple identifies believers as becoming part of the temple at the time of their conversion. Unlike the Jewish temple and the temple of Artemis, which were physical buildings with exclusive membership, the temple of the Holy Spirit is an inclusive unity of believers. The Jewish temple was part of the identity of the Jews, the Artemis temple gave identity to the city of Ephesus and the spiritual temple identifies the unity of the Christian in-group. The Christian-identity, whether in the first century or in contemporary society, is unifying and inclusive regardless of our differences. According to the author of Ephesians Christ-founded and Spirit-driven identity should determine Christian thinking and actions. Contribution: The temple of Artemis and the Jewish temple were places of religious, political, economic and social status and power. The temple of Ephesians 2, however, becomes a spiritual force to which every believer has access apart from political, economic, social, ethnic and gender status. Christian identity and unity are rooted in the redemptive work of Christ.Aletta VreyAOSISarticleephesianstemple metaphorartemis templeidentity formationsocial identity theorychristian unityin-groupsjewish gentilesPractical TheologyBV1-5099Practical religion. The Christian lifeBV4485-5099AFENIn die Skriflig, Vol 55, Iss 1, Pp e1-e10 (2021)
institution	DOAJ
collection	DOAJ
language	AF EN
topic	ephesians temple metaphor artemis temple identity formation social identity theory christian unity in-groups jewish gentiles Practical Theology BV1-5099 Practical religion. The Christian life BV4485-5099
spellingShingle	ephesians temple metaphor artemis temple identity formation social identity theory christian unity in-groups jewish gentiles Practical Theology BV1-5099 Practical religion. The Christian life BV4485-5099 Aletta Vrey Die tempel-metafoor in Efesiërs 2:11–22 as deel van identiteitsvorming van die gelowige in-groep
description	The temple metaphor in Ephesians 2:11–22 as part of identity formation of the believing in-group. One of the basic human needs is to belong, feel accepted and be part of a group. During the first century people from different backgrounds believed in Jesus, consequently unity among believers became a challenge. The inclusive heart of God, the atonement of Christ and the Holy Spirit unites believers from different backgrounds and groups. This article examines spiritual unity as part of the believers’ identity as portrayed by the temple metaphor in Ephesians 2:11–22. Christians should acknowledge their differences, as the author of Ephesians clearly does, without causing division in the group. Identity formation is linked to group membership, therefore the identity of the early Christian group is examined, to determine the influence it still has on the present-day unity among believers. We divide our society into groups and tend to discriminate against those that are different from us. These phenomena were part of the social interaction of Christians in the first century. To better understand the social functioning of the ancient Mediterranean world, this article uses Social Identity Theory to identify and compare the groups in Ephesians. The Jews and Gentiles were the out-groups. In the context of the letter, Gentiles were Artemis-worshippers. The Christians formed the in-group. The identity of the out-groups, to which Christians previously belonged, should be considered to determine the identity of the in-group. The metaphor of the spiritual temple identifies believers as becoming part of the temple at the time of their conversion. Unlike the Jewish temple and the temple of Artemis, which were physical buildings with exclusive membership, the temple of the Holy Spirit is an inclusive unity of believers. The Jewish temple was part of the identity of the Jews, the Artemis temple gave identity to the city of Ephesus and the spiritual temple identifies the unity of the Christian in-group. The Christian-identity, whether in the first century or in contemporary society, is unifying and inclusive regardless of our differences. According to the author of Ephesians Christ-founded and Spirit-driven identity should determine Christian thinking and actions. Contribution: The temple of Artemis and the Jewish temple were places of religious, political, economic and social status and power. The temple of Ephesians 2, however, becomes a spiritual force to which every believer has access apart from political, economic, social, ethnic and gender status. Christian identity and unity are rooted in the redemptive work of Christ.
format	article
author	Aletta Vrey
author_facet	Aletta Vrey
author_sort	Aletta Vrey
title	Die tempel-metafoor in Efesiërs 2:11–22 as deel van identiteitsvorming van die gelowige in-groep
title_short	Die tempel-metafoor in Efesiërs 2:11–22 as deel van identiteitsvorming van die gelowige in-groep
title_full	Die tempel-metafoor in Efesiërs 2:11–22 as deel van identiteitsvorming van die gelowige in-groep
title_fullStr	Die tempel-metafoor in Efesiërs 2:11–22 as deel van identiteitsvorming van die gelowige in-groep
title_full_unstemmed	Die tempel-metafoor in Efesiërs 2:11–22 as deel van identiteitsvorming van die gelowige in-groep
title_sort	die tempel-metafoor in efesiërs 2:11–22 as deel van identiteitsvorming van die gelowige in-groep
publisher	AOSIS
publishDate	2021
url	https://doaj.org/article/4f6c54ad992b4f0da4b20aeebae7a7b7
work_keys_str_mv	AT alettavrey dietempelmetafoorinefesiers21122asdeelvanidentiteitsvormingvandiegelowigeingroep
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Die tempel-metafoor in Efesiërs 2:11–22 as deel van identiteitsvorming van die gelowige in-groep

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