Laura Hunt | Spring Arbor University (original) (raw)

Papers by Laura Hunt

Research paper thumbnail of Paul's Rule in 1 Corinthians 7:17-24: Contemporary Limitations and Challenges for Existing Identities in Christ

CATR, 2019

Paul's "rule" in 1 Cor 7:17, 20, 24, and 26, that people should "re-main in the situation they we... more Paul's "rule" in 1 Cor 7:17, 20, 24, and 26, that people should "re-main in the situation they were in when God called them," (NRSV) has been variously interpreted. Scholars, such as J. Brian Tucker, applying social identity theory, understand Paul's rule as highlighting the social implications of the gospel, which are largely overlooked by traditional scholars. According to a social identity framework, Paul expects Jews and gentiles (and future Christians) to live out the gospel while remaining in their own social-ethnic identity. In this way, existing social identities, including ethnicities, continue for Christ-followers despite an overarching identity in Christ. Christians coming together can "remain as they are" keeping their previous identity while pursing unity with other believers upholding their own social-ethnic identity. This paper evaluates the claim that Paul's rule pertains broadly to social and ethnic identities, as interpreted by Tucker. It then examines the limitations of one proposal for prioritizing previous identities, the Homogeneous Unit Principle. Ultimately, it describes the creation and maintenance of non-homogeneous groups, unified in Christ using tools offered by psychological and social theories to address human desire for sameness and reluctance to cross ethnic-social barriers.

Research paper thumbnail of Paul's Rule in 1 Corinthians 7:17-24: Contemporary Limitations and Challenges for Existing Identities in Christ

CATR, 2019

Paul's "rule" in 1 Cor 7:17, 20, 24, and 26, that people should "re-main in the situation they we... more Paul's "rule" in 1 Cor 7:17, 20, 24, and 26, that people should "re-main in the situation they were in when God called them," (NRSV) has been variously interpreted. Scholars, such as J. Brian Tucker, applying social identity theory, understand Paul's rule as highlighting the social implications of the gospel, which are largely overlooked by traditional scholars. According to a social identity framework, Paul expects Jews and gentiles (and future Christians) to live out the gospel while remaining in their own social-ethnic identity. In this way, existing social identities, including ethnicities, continue for Christ-followers despite an overarching identity in Christ. Christians coming together can "remain as they are" keeping their previous identity while pursing unity with other believers upholding their own social-ethnic identity. This paper evaluates the claim that Paul's rule pertains broadly to social and ethnic identities, as interpreted by Tucker. It then examines the limitations of one proposal for prioritizing previous identities, the Homogeneous Unit Principle. Ultimately, it describes the creation and maintenance of non-homogeneous groups, unified in Christ using tools offered by psychological and social theories to address human desire for sameness and reluctance to cross ethnic-social barriers.