social identity in hebrews and the akan community of ghana

370 Pages·2017·3.61 MB·English

SOCIAL IDENTITY IN HEBREWS AND THE AKAN

COMMUNITY OF GHANA

Seth Kissi

Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree

Philosophiae Doctor (PhD)

Department of New Testament Studies

Faculty of Theology

University of Pretoria

April 2017

Supervisor: Prof Ernest van Eck

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Table of contents

CHAPTER 1

BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY

1.1 BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION ....................................................... 12
1.2 CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK ..................................................................... 13
1.3 THE RESEARCH GAP .................................................................................. 14

1.4 METHODOLOGY ........................................................................................... 22

1.5 STRUCTURE OF THE STUDY ..................................................................... 23

CHAPTER 2

SOCIAL-SCIENTIFIC CRITICISM AS EXEGETICAL APPROACH

2.1 HISTORY OF SOCIAL-SCIENTIFIC CRITICISM ......................................... 24
2.2 DESCRIPTION, DEFINITION AND FUNCTION OF SOCIAL-SCIENTIFIC
MODELS AND THEORIES ........................................................................... 29

2.3 CRITICAL VIEWS ON SOCIAL-SCIENTIFIC CRITICISM AND

RESPONSES ................................................................................................. 37

CHAPTER 3

THE CONTEXT OF HEBREWS

3.1 AUTHOR ........................................................................................................ 42
3.2 INTENDED READERS .................................................................................. 44
3.3 SOCIAL CONTEXT AND AIM ....................................................................... 47

3.4 TIME OF WRITING ........................................................................................ 52

CHAPTER 4
THE AKAN SOCIETY OF GHANA

4.1 THE AKAN PEOPLE ..................................................................................... 54

4.2 ORIGIN OF THE AKAN PEOPLE ................................................................. 56
4.3 THE DYNAMIC NATURE OF AKAN ETHNICITY ........................................ 59
4.4 ETHNIC IDENTITY ........................................................................................ 59

4.5 THE CONCEPT OF THE FAMILY, RESPONSIBILITY AND

AUTHORITY ................................................................................................... 65
4.6 THE COMMUNAL ORIENTATION OF THE AKAN SOCIETY .................... 66

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4.7 HONOUR IN THE AKAN SOCIETY .............................................................. 70
4.8 AKAN CONCEPT OF A PERSON ................................................................ 73
4.9 THE AKAN AS A SOCIAL PERSON ........................................................... 76

4.10 KNOWLEDGE AND RIGHT CONDUCT ....................................................... 78

4.11 TRAINING AND INTEGRATION OF THE INDIVIDUAL INTO
THE SOCIETY ............................................................................................... 79
4.12 CONTROL OF PEOPLE’S CONDUCT ......................................................... 83

4.13 RELIGION AS INTEGRAL TO THE AKAN SOCIETY ................................. 86

4.14 SALVATION IN AKAN THOUGHT ............................................................... 93
4.15 CONCLUSION ............................................................................................... 94

CHAPTER 5

READING SCENARIOS: SOCIAL IDENTITY, ETHNICITY AND

PERSONALITY

5.1 SOCIAL IDENTITY ........................................................................................ 96
5.2 CATEGORIZATION, IDENTIFICATION, AND COMPARISON ................... 97

5.3 SOCIAL COMPARISON AND SOCIAL IDENTITY ...................................... 98
5.4 RELEVANT ASPECTS OF SOCIAL IDENTITY THEORY FOR THE
STUDY OF HEBREWS ............................................................................... 100
5.4.1 Group distinctiveness .............................................................................. 102

5.4.2 Group difference in status and power ..................................................... 103
5.4.3 Social mobility .......................................................................................... 105
5.4.4 Drawing boundaries ................................................................................. 106
5.4.5 Stern warnings ......................................................................................... 107

5.4.6 Social creativity ........................................................................................ 108
5.4.7 Ingroup prototype ..................................................................................... 110
5.4.8 Superordinate identity .............................................................................. 111
5.5 ETHNICITY ................................................................................................... 112

5.5.1 Some theories of ethnicity ....................................................................... 116
5.5.1.1 Primordialism ........................................................................................... 117
5.5.1.2 Constructionism ................................................................................... 117
5.5.1.3 Instrumentalism, social psychology, ethno-symbolism ...................... 118

5.5.2 Features of ethnicity/ethnic sentiments ................................................... 119
5.5.3 Ethnicity and power .................................................................................. 122
5.5.4 Multiple ethnic identity ............................................................................. 123
5.5.5 Israelite ethnicity ...................................................................................... 123

5.5.6 Christianity and ethnic identity ................................................................. 127
5.5.7 RELEVANT ASPECTS OF ETHNICITY THEORY FOR THE STUDY OF
HEBREWS ............................................................................................... 131

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5.5.7.1 Kinship ................................................................................................. 131
5.5.7.2 Homeland (city) ................................................................................... 132
5.5.7.3 Religion/custom ................................................................................... 134

5.5.7.4 Myth of common ancestry ................................................................... 136

5.5.7.5 Shared historical memories ................................................................. 138
5.5.7.6 Name .................................................................................................... 139
5.5.7.7 Multiple ethnic identity ......................................................................... 140

5.5.7.8 Ethnicity and power ............................................................................. 141

5.6 PERSONALITY ............................................................................................ 142
5.6.1 The collective self and social behaviour ................................................. 147
5.6.2 Psychological versus personal causation ............................................... 149

5.6.3 Control of peoples’ lives .......................................................................... 150

5.6.4 Evaluating persons .................................................................................. 151
5.6.5 Assessing Mediterranean selves and knowing each other .................... 152
5.6.6 Obligation to return favour ....................................................................... 155

5.6.7 Honour and personality ............................................................................ 156

5.6.8 RELEVANT ASPECTS OF PERSONALITY THEORY FOR THE
STUDY OF HEBREWS ........................................................................... 158
5.6.8.1 Group goals and personality ............................................................... 158

5.6.8.2 Shared group fate and viewpoints ...................................................... 160

5.6.8.3 The self and ingroup demands ........................................................... 161
5.6.8.4 Control of people’s lives ...................................................................... 162
5.6.8.5 Interpersonal obligation within the ingroup ......................................... 163

5.6.8.6 Obligation to return favour ................................................................... 164

5.6.9 Concluding remarks ............................................................................ 165

CHAPTER 6

HEBREWS: SOCIAL IDENTITY, ETHNICITY AND PERSONALITY

6.1 THE INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT: A SUPERIOR MEDIATOR OF GOD’S
MESSAGE IN A CONTEST OF MEDIATORS (HEB 1:1-14) .................... 168
6.1.1 The Son’s mediation of God’s message – unique and divine ................ 169

6.1.2 Seven declarations about the Son’s superior rank and dignity .............. 173

6.1.3 The Son, the victorious companion ......................................................... 175
6.1.4 Social identity issues ................................................................................ 180
6.2 THE WARNING PASSAGES ...................................................................... 184

6.2.1 Warning passage 1: Warning against drifting away from a

superior message and such a great salvation (Heb 2:1-18) .................. 186
6.2.1.1 The need to pay closer attention to what has been heard ................. 186
6.2.1.2 The Son goes to the aid of his brothers and sisters ........................... 188

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6.2.1.3 Christ’s victory over temptation as liberation for his brothers
and sisters ............................................................................................ 190

6.2.1.4 A response of obedience and loyalty demanded ............................... 194

6.2.1.5 Social identity issues ............................................................................ 197
6.2.2 Warning passage 2: Warning against missing the promised rest
for a better group with greater honour and hope (Heb 3:1-5:10) ........... 202

6.2.2.1 Social identity issues ........................................................................... 209

6.2.2.1.1 A better assessment of the Son’s group ........................................ 210
6.2.2.1.2 The Father’s provision for his house .............................................. 212
6.2.2.1.3 A better response, after the son’s example, to the

Father’s provisions .......................................................................... 216

6.2.2.1.4 Implications for conduct within the household of God ................... 221
6.2.2.1.5 Summary .......................................................................................... 222
6.2.3 Warning passage 3: Warning against a response that wastes God’s

goodness and holds the son up to contempt (Heb 5:11-6:20) ............... 223

6.2.3.1 The group’s experience of the Father’s provision .............................. 228
6.2.3.2 Discerning good and evil as beneficiaries of the Father’s
goodness ............................................................................................. 231

6.2.3.3 The reliability of God and the love of the audience as basis for feeling

better things ......................................................................................... 235
6.2.3.4 Social identity issues ........................................................................... 236
6.2.3.4.1 Control of members’ behaviour ........................................................... 237

6.2.3.4.2 The call to right response for God’s investment ................................. 238

6.2.3.4.3 Living in line with the image of their social identity ............................ 238
6.2.3.4.4 Appeal to shared historical memory ................................................... 239
6.2.3.4.5 Appeal to personality ........................................................................... 240

6.2.3.5 Summary .............................................................................................. 241

6.2.4 Warning passage 4: Warning to enlightened members of God’s
house against falling into the hands of the living God
(Heb 9:11-10:39) ...................................................................................... 242

6.2.4.1 Social identity issues ........................................................................... 249

6.2.4.1.1 Redefinition: Ritually transformed into God’s people ......................... 250
6.2.4.1.2 Enlightenment as basis for appeal to right and honourable
conduct ................................................................................................ 253

6.2.4.1.3 Shared historical memory ................................................................... 255

6.2.4.1.4 Evoking emotions of confidence, fear and shame ............................. 256
6.2.4.1.5 Sacrifice and investment ..................................................................... 258
6.2.4.1.6 Drawing boundaries ............................................................................ 259

6.2.4.1.7 Summary .............................................................................................. 261

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6.2.5 Warning passage 5: Warning against rejecting him who warns
from heaven (Heb 12:1-29) ..................................................................... 262
6.2.5.1 Social identity issues ........................................................................... 269

6.2.5.1.1 Legitimate children of God .............................................................. 270

6.2.5.1.2 Superior group ................................................................................. 270
6.2.5.1.3 Group responsibility ........................................................................ 272
6.2.5.1.4 Myth of common ancestry ............................................................... 273

6.2.5.1.5 Homeland ........................................................................................ 274

6.2.5.1.6 Social creativity: Athletic imagery – redefinition of
group experience .......................................................................... 274
6.2.5.1.7 Group boundaries/distinctiveness ................................................... 278

6.2.6 Summary of findings ................................................................................ 279

6.2.6.1 Ethnicity ............................................................................................... 281
6.2.6.2 Ingroup/intergroup behaviour .............................................................. 285
6.2.6.3 Personality ........................................................................................... 289

6.2.6.4 Conclusion ........................................................................................... 294

CHAPTER 7
ETHNICITY, SOCIAL IDENTITY, AND PERSONALITY IN THE AKAN
SOCIETY OF GHANA

7.1 ETHNICITY IN THE AKAN SOCIETY ........................................................ 295
7.1.1 Kinship ...................................................................................................... 295
7.1.2 Homeland ................................................................................................. 296

7.1.3 Religion/custom ....................................................................................... 297

7.1.4 Myth of common ancestry/Shared historical memory ............................ 300
7.1.5 Superordinate identity in the clan system ............................................... 301
7.1.6 Name/Language ...................................................................................... 303

7.1.7 Multiple ethnic identity ............................................................................. 304

7.1.8 Ethnicity and power .................................................................................. 304
7.2 SOCIAL IDENTITY IN THE AKAN SOCIETY ............................................. 305
7.2.1 Social mobility/drawing boundaries/stern warning .................................. 307

7.2.2 Ingroup prototype ..................................................................................... 309

7.2.3 Social creativity ........................................................................................ 309
7.3 PERSONALITY WITHIN THE AKAN SOCIETY ........................................ 311
7.3.1 Group goals and personality ..................................................................... 311

7.3.2 Shared group fate/Control of people’s lives ............................................ 311

7.3.3 Interpersonal obligation within the ingroup/Obligation to return
favour ........................................................................................................ 312
7.3.4 Sunsum as a determinant of one’s personality ....................................... 313

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7.4 CONCLUSION ............................................................................................. 314

CHAPTER 8

AN AKAN READING OF THE WARNING PASSAGES

8.1 AN AKAN PERSPECTIVE ON HEBREWS 1 ............................................ 317
8.1.1 Summary of Chapter 1 in the light of Akan social identity ...................... 321
8.2 AN AKAN READING OF HEBREW’S ETHNIC APPEAL ......................... 322

8.2.1 Summary on Akan reading of Hebrew’s ethnic appeal .......................... 333

8.3 AN AKAN READING OF HEBREWS’ APPEAL TO INGROUP/
INTERGROUP BEHAVIOUR ...................................................................... 334
8.3.1 Summary of Akan reading of Hebrews’ appeal to ingroup/

intergroup behaviour ................................................................................ 338

8.4 AN AKAN READING OF HEBREWS’ APPEAL TO PERSONALITY ...... 339
8.4.1 Summary of Akan reading of Hebrews’ appeal to personality ............... 343
8.5 CONCLUSION ON AKAN READING OF THE WARNING PASSAGES . 344

CHAPTER 9
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

9.1 ETHNICITY ................................................................................................... 345

9.2 INGROUP BEHAVIOUR AND INTERGROUP COMPETITION ................ 347

9.3 PERSONALITY ............................................................................................ 348
9.4 DIFFERENCES ............................................................................................ 349
9.5 CONCLUSION ............................................................................................. 350

WORKS CONSULTED ………………………………………………………………… 352

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Declaration regarding plagiarism

Seth Kissi

14335532

Declaration

1. I understand what plagiarism entails and am aware of the University‘s policy in this

regard.

2. I declare that this assignment is my own, original work. Where someone else‘s

work was used (whether from a printed source, the Internet or any other source)

due acknowledgement was given and reference was made according to

departmental requirements.

3. I did not copy and paste any information directly from an electronic source (e.g., a
web page, electronic journal article or CD ROM) into this document.
4. I did not make use of another student‘s previous work and submitted it as my own.
5. I did not allow and will not allow anyone to copy my work with the intention of
presenting it as his/her own work.

17th November 2016

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Acknowledgements

I am grateful to God for granting me the grace and good frame of being that enabled me

to accomplish this study. I owe special gratitude to my supervisor, Prof. Dr. Ernest van

Eck for his enormous friendly and welcoming attitude in guidance, and for his diligent

and prompt responses to my work and inquiries. Prof. van Eck is the best blessing I

found in my PhD study. I should also be grateful to Trinity Theological Seminary,

particularly to the President, Rev. Prof. J.O.Y. Mante, for the support in my trips to

Pretoria and in the payment of fees. Very Rev. Prof. J.D.K. Ekem deserves a special

mention for his interest in my work, his encouragement, and for taking time to read

portions of my work and offering valuable suggestions. I should also express special

thanks to Prof. Emeritus J.H. Kwabena Nketia and Prof Florence A. Dolphyne for their

valuable contribution to my work in the area of information on Akan culture. Rev. Patrick

Manteaw also deserves special mention for sharing some important experience needed

for the study. In a similar vein, Rev. Martin Obeing, Mr. Reymond Agbanato and Joseph

Adiok deserve gratitude for information they provided on issues about their ethnic

groups. I also thank all colleagues, friends, students and family members who showed

interest in my PhD studies and urged me on in various ways. Reserved for special

emphasis is my gratitude to Mavis, my dear wife. I cannot thank Mavis enough for her

loving support, understanding and encouragement. She has indeed been a strong pillar

and support of my life and work for which I remain eternally grateful.

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Summary

‘Social identity in Hebrews and Akan Community of Ghana’ is a social-scientific study of
Hebrews. It explores how the warning passages of Hebrews can be understood in the
light of social identity in both first-century Mediterranean society and Akan society of
Ghana. To achieve this, the argument in the warning passages are examined by means
of theories on social identity, ethnicity and personality of the Mediterranean society
while relying on the data of the text of Hebrews for information on the social situation
being addressed. The summary of findings is then examined through the lens of Akan
concept of social identity for comparative purposes.

The study involves definition and description of social-scientific criticism and its use of

theories and models for biblical interpretation. It assesses the strength and weaknesses

of the approach and how to mitigate its weaknesses. It also delineates the socio-cultural

context of Hebrews to provide a background against which Hebrews should be

understood. The Akan people of Ghana, and some of their relevant socio-cultural

issues, are also given attention. A discussion of theories on ethnicity, ingroup and

intergroup behaviour, as well as personality in the Mediterranean society comes with

outlines of their relevant aspects for the study of Hebrews. These theories are applied to

the study of the warning passages, after Hebrews 1 has been discussed in the light of

social identity as the introduction to the study that sets the tone for the warning

passages. A discussion of social identity in the Akan society is undertaken, and later

becomes a lens for looking at the summary of social identity issues that emerged from

the application to the warning passages the theories of ethnicity, ingroup/intergroup

behaviour, and personality in the Mediterranean society. In the end, it was realised that

the social institutions and scripts of both the Mediterranean and Akan societies offer

similar perspectives for understanding the warning passages. The few differences that

were seen had to do with some details about the related socials institutions and scripts,

but these differences did not make any difference in the way the broader social

institutions and scripts of both societies give meaning to the warning passages. The

study established that the author found the social institutions and scripts in ethnicity,

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