The spirit and social and moral identity in Paul's letter to the Galatians

Abstract

This study explains Paul's assertions about the Spirit in his letter to the Galatians by exploring the role the Spirit plays in his identity construction strategy. The study's argument moves in four stages. First, it argues that Paul uses the letter to construct an identity for his Galatian converts and to persuade them to embrace and implement that identity. Second, it argues that this identity is both social and moral in character--a fact that allows Paul's argument to be analyzed using the tools of social psychology (specifically, the Social Identity Approach). Third, it argues that this identity is defined by its association with Christ, with God, and with the eschatological situation. As Paul presents his construction of these entities, he is simultaneously giving shape to the identity he wants his converts to adopt as their own. Fourth, it argues that this identity is constituted by the active, empowering presence of the Spirit. For Paul, identification with Christ through faith is coincidental with reception of the Spirit, and the presence of the Spirit plays a significant role in the formation and maintenance of the identity category Paul describes as God's family.