Luke's use of the parable of Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16:19-31) to construct new social identities
Date
2021-03-02
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis explores Luke’s use of the parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man (Luke 16:19-31) to
create new social identities. The thesis discusses the socio-economic background to Luke’s day,
discussing how one’s ascribed and acquired honour contributed to one’s social identity, as well as how
one’s social identity and standing was affected by wealth and how it was used. The thesis goes on to
use parallel parables to justify the use of the lens of social identity in such parables. Finally, the thesis
goes on in chapters five and six to discuss the important social identity markers to which the parable
refers: Moses and the prophets (chapter five) and the figure of Abraham (chapter six). The researcher
shows how Luke uses these characters to create new social identities. By acting like those opposed to
God’s people, Luke shows that the Rich Man and others like him act according to social identities of
those opposed to God’s people (those in line with Moses and the Prophets and specifically Abraham),
and so can no longer claim such a social identity or the group entitlements granted to one who holds
such an identity. Those considered to have low-status social identities were actually the ones with a
high-status social identity: “children of Abraham” – the very identity that the Rich Man believed that he
held by virtue of his ascribed honour as a physical Israelite; put simply, there is a reversal of social
identities.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar.
Description
Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2021.
Keywords
Social identity, Bible. Luke, XVI: 19-31 -- Criticism, interpretation, etc., Lazarus and the rich man, UCTD