Christian Identity Is Identity In Christ

2008 ◽  
pp. 17-30 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Christian Identity ◽  
In Christ

Sexual and Religious Regimes of the Self in Dutch Discourses about Homosexuality: A Queer Theological Analysis and Alternative

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 353-378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Derks
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Identity ◽  
The Self ◽  
Christian Identity ◽  
Sexual Diversity ◽  
Religious Identities ◽  
Conservative Protestant ◽  
In Christ ◽  
Late Modern

Abstract This article discusses two major ways in which sexual and religious identities are conceptualized in Dutch public discourses about homosexuality. In a secular discourse that stresses that LGBTs should be able to ‘be themselves’, certain religious identities are often ignored, subordinated or attacked, while the self that needs to be realized is rendered primarily a sexual self. A conservative Protestant (counter-)discourse on ‘being in Christ’ subordinates (homo)sexual identity to Christian identity—or even rejects it. To move beyond such (Late) Modern oppositional constructions of religion and homosexuality in terms of (religious/sexual) “identity”, this article explores the (queer) Catholic concept of sacramental characters—as an anti-identity—and suggests that it has the potential to unsettle some of the deadlocks in public discourses about homosexuality and sexual diversity.

scholarly journals Mission to the Gentiles: The construction of Christian identity and its relationship with ethics according to Paul

2012 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tobias Nicklas ◽  
Herbert Schlögel
Keyword(s):  
Coordinate System ◽  
Jesus Christ ◽  
Reference Points ◽  
The Body ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Body Of Christ ◽  
Christian Identity ◽  
Human Relationships ◽  
Ethical Decisions ◽  
In Christ

Paul allowed pagans to become members of the newly founded communities of Christ-believers and thus members of God’s covenant people, Israel, without becoming circumcised. However, even if many of the ‘pagan Christians’ who became members of the new messianic movement had a background as God-Fearers in the frame of diaspora synagogues, the radicalism of their ‘step in faith’ can hardly be overestimated. With their turn from different pagan cults and their gods to the mysterious God of Israel and his crucified and risen Son, Jesus Christ, a whole coordinate system of human relationships, expectations, hopes and norms must have changed. This paper explores the construction of Christian identity and its relationship with ethics according to Paul. It is illustrated how Paul himself describes the system of changed relationships: turning away from the idols towards the living God, being in Christ or – together with others – part of the ‘body of Christ’. Moreover, these three dimensions of new relations – to God, to Christ and to the fellow believers in Christ – correspond to three reference points for ethical decisions in Pauline communities: the command to love one another, the idea of human conscience (as a voice coming from God) and the idea of the ‘ethos of Christ’.

scholarly journals ‘Ascended far above all the heavens’: Rhetorical functioning of Psalm 68:18 in Ephesians 4:8–10?

2014 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elna Mouton
Keyword(s):  
Christian Identity ◽  
Rhetorical Situation ◽  
Early Christian ◽  
Hebrew Scriptures ◽  
Communicative Strategies ◽  
In Christ

The letter to the Ephesians employs various communicative strategies in responding to the rhetorical situation of its implied recipients. Focusing on the recipients’ new identity and ethos ἐν Χριστῷ [in Christ], the text emphasises supernatural elements such as resurrection, ascension, heavenly places, revealed mystery, Spirit and power. At the same time, it adopts a rich mosaic of traditional materials, inter alia echoing the Hebrew Scriptures, Hellenistic traditions and early-Christian liturgical traditions. This article explores the dynamic yet complex intertextual fusion and reappropriation of (mainly Jewish) traditions in Ephesians as the author’s experience and understanding of the ascended Christ. Special attention is given to the probable functioning of Psalm 68:18 (LXX 67:19) in Ephesians 4:1–16. In conclusion, the essay investigates the intended rhetorical effect of material from the Hebrew Scriptures in the letter – as construction of Christian identity in continuation with the story of Israel and from within the context of Empire.

scholarly journals Christian identity and church unity

2006 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
C. F.C. Coetzee
Keyword(s):  
Christian Identity ◽  
Church Unity ◽  
In Christ ◽  
Confessional Unity ◽  
Point Of Departure ◽  
The Church

After centuries of Christianity the theme of “Christian identity” is still relevant and even more diverse than ever before. In this article this theme is discussed from a Reformed perspective with the focus on a specific ecclesiological facet, that is, the viewpoint of church unity. Christian identity has to do with faith in Christ and a specific view of Scripture – a point of departure as manifested in confessional unity. In accordance with this viewpoint the issue of church unity cannot be discussed without taking into account one’s presuppositions as found in Scripture and the Reformed Confessions. In order to fulfil our calling as churches in obedience to the “last will” of our Lord (John 17), the Confessions should function as the living belief of the churches, and we should strive and pray untiringly for the unity of the church.

scholarly journals Hermeneutics in identity formation: Paul’s use of Genesis in Galatians 4

2011 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremy Punt
Keyword(s):  
Identity Formation ◽  
Christian Identity ◽  
In Christ ◽  
Counter Argument ◽  
Specific Identity

Paul’s hermeneutics, in dealing with the scriptures and traditions of Israel and his concern for a specific identity for the communities he interacted with, require attention for the reciprocal, interrelationship between hermeneutics and identity in his letters. Paul’s quotations from and allusions to the scriptures of Israel but also his argument which was a re-interpretation of the traditions of Israel, functions in Galatians 4:21–5:1 at one level as counter-argument to the position of his opponents in Galatia but, at another deeper level, also as a forceful attempt to (re)establish and reinforce the identity of the community of followers of Jesus. His appropriation of the scriptures, his revisionist interpretation of the Abraham narrative and in particular his construal of its lasting implications provided the interpretative map on which Paul plotted an emerging ‘Christian’ identity. But, reciprocally, Paul’s sense of a new or renewed identity in Christ also determined the contours of his hermeneutics.

Human Identity and the Gospel of Reconciliation: Agenda For Mission Studies and Praxis in the 21st Century: An African Reflection

2009 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-30
Author(s):  
Philomena Njeri Mwaura
Keyword(s):  
New Testament ◽  
21St Century ◽  
Presidential Address ◽  
The Other ◽  
Christian Identity ◽  
Human Identity ◽  
The New Testament ◽  
In Christ ◽  
The Church

AbstractIn her Presidential address, Philomena Mwaura explores the challenges posed to Christian identity in Africa by ethnocenticism which questions its authenticity despite a century of evangelization and the Church's tremendous growth. Tracing the markers of Christian identity to the New Testament which are characterized by transformation in Christ, love, unity and embrace of the other, she argues that only a people who are secure in their Christian identity can witness authentically to the Gospel and its appealing power. The ministry of reconciliation, as articulated by Paul, is an imperative in diverse contexts characterized by conflicting and competing identities that are ethnic, national and religious among others. The Church requires to equip itself for this ministry by being prophetic, vigilant, intrusive and in solidarity with the marginalized.

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