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Social Identity, the Pentateuch, and Dechurching: A Dialogue

Social Identity, the Pentateuch, and Dechurching: A Dialogue

WONG Fook Kong

In the past few years, many believers have left their churches. It has gotten to the point where it becomes an existential threat to local churches. This paper attempts to engage Social Identity Theory, the Pentateuch, and Jim Davis and Michael Graham's The Great Dechurching in a dialogue to explore the phenomenon. Reading the Pentateuch through the lens of social identity shows that both the positive (eg, self-identity) and negative aspects (eg, in-group/out-group competition and conflict) of social identity are operational in the texts. The negative aspects become more and more prominent as we progress along the timeline of the narratives. ways to save his people.

Similar dynamics are happening in today's society. In-group/out-group competitions and conflicts are on the rise. Unfortunately, churches are not spared either and these are some important factors driving the dechurching phenomenon. At the same time, there is also an identity problem. A significant number of Christians do not embrace participation in a local church as part of their identity as Christians. Some prefer to wander from church to church, while others prefer to join online rather than in person. This article argues that belonging to a community has been God's design from the beginning. Moreover, Christians are disciples and not merely consumers. Therefore, participating in the life and ministries of a local church is part of the requirements of being a believer. This also pre-empts perpetual spiritual wandering or online participation as a way of Christian life.

wordpress_publish December 11, 2025 No Comments

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Message from the Editor of Issue 48

Editor's Note: Wu Guojie Since the outbreak of the new coronavirus, the number of people infected worldwide has exceeded 250 million, and the number of deaths has exceeded 5 million. This number does not include poor third-world countries with weak testing capabilities and inability to determine the cause of death. Due to the epidemic, the lives, economy, and travel of people around the world have been affected to varying degrees; for example, people have to wear masks when going out, maintain social distance, the number of gatherings is limited, quarantine is required when entering the country, travel has been greatly reduced, related industries have laid off employees, and unemployment has Rates thus increase and so on. In this environment, church gatherings have also been affected to a considerable extent. During the period when the epidemic was severe and gatherings were restricted, physical church gatherings were suspended, and online live broadcasts and video conversations became necessary alternative modes; even if the epidemic eased and physical gatherings reopened, online Synchronization has also become the new normal. In the face of this disaster, which is called the "pandemic of the century," what resources does the Christian faith have that can help the church respond and turn the crisis into an opportunity? This issue of "Sandow Journal" takes "Epidemics and Disasters" as the theme, and brings together different scholars to discuss it from the perspectives of the two Testaments, doctrinal theology, and practical theology, hoping to enlighten modern Christians on how to deal with the challenges of this era. ...