ʼn Gender-kritiese ontleding van die groepsidentiteite in die brief aan die Efesiërs

D.Litt. et Phil.Abstract: In this study the Social Identity Theory (SIT) is used to identify and discuss the group-formation and group-identities in the letter to the Ephesians. According to the SIT membership of a group has a profound influence on the way an individual perceives him-/herself in the world. All humans belong to some or another group and act as group members. The basic determinants for group formation are our social relations with others, our shared attitudes and values, and the social norms and roles that guide our conduct. These determinants are also applicable to the identity and status of members of the early Christian community and members of the household of God (familia Dei). Therefore, the SIT can be useful to explain the identity of the members of the Christian family or household. Through the use of the SIT this study will proof that the writer of Ephesians attempts to promote the identity of the in-group through categorisation, identification and comparison. In the letter to Ephesians the in-group believers consist of two sub-groups, namely the Jewish believers and the gentile believers. The cohesive factor is that both of these sub-groups have come to faith in Christ Jesus and believed in the redemption of the cross (Eph 1:7). The writer uses the first two chapters to establish the identity of the group in their redemption through the cross of Christ. Everyone who believes in Christ is being united as a new in-group of believers with a new identity. The members of the new in-group believers came from two different out-groups; the Jews and the gentiles. In chapters four to six of Ephesians the writer discusses the unification of these two worlds; each with their own culture, traditions and values. Although certain Jewish traditions were abolished, like the keeping of the law (Eph 2:15), the Jewish culture and lifestyle are being used as the foundation for the expected behaviour of the in-group, this is being confirmed by the metaphors used in Ephesians, for example the metaphor of the temple (Eph 2:19-22). In contrast the gentile out-group is being described in extremely negative, disapproving and derogatory terms; their behaviour should be avoided at all cost by the in-group (Eph 4:17-32). The process to determine differences play an important role in social relations. The process of liminality is clearly evident in the members of the in-group formerly part of the gentile out-group; they were formerly outsiders and not part of God's chosen Jewish people. Both sub-groups of the in-group went through the process of liminality in order to..