New Testament Texts and the Construction of Christ-Believing Group(s) Identity: The Case of Matthew 5:13–16

Abstract:The micro-narrative of Matthew 5:13–16 was an identity defining text for the community of Matthew. By analysing the social and immediate contexts of the text, which reveal a conflict situation, this article applies the social identity approach (SIA) as a methodology of reading the text. As a result it is argued that, although not expressly dealing with group norms, the text contributed to the identity construction of the members of the Matthaean community through cognitive, evaluative, and emotional attachment to a better righteousness which is the main group norm of the community as taught by Jesus, their prototype leader. This establishes a boundary between the members of the community (the in-group)—who have become "the salt of the earth" and "the light of the world" by practising this better righteousness—and their out-group competitors (formative "Judaism" and other non-Christ-believing groups) who are not similarly committed.