Virtue Formation and the Function of Humility in Philippians: A Social Identity Approach

CPTJ Archive | Volume 11 – Essays on Humility

Title
Virtue Formation and the Function of Humility in Philippians: A Social Identity Approach

matt o’reilly


Abstract

Matt O’Reilly takes us to Philippi to reflect on the dynamics of humility formation in followers of Jesus. O’Reilly’s comments are in dialogue with the social science category Social Identity Theory, which locates human identity in our relation to social groups. O’Reilly utilizes this theory as a means for articulating how pastors are called to shepherd the social identity of congregations, and in particular how to embed humility as a distinct feature of the social identity of the church. He concludes with a vital exhortation to Pastor Theologians to be theological shepherds of the church in the way we lead.


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Matt O’Reilly (PhD, University of Gloucestershire) is the Lead Pastor at Christ Church Birmingham in Birmingham, AL, and the Director of Research at Wesley Biblical Seminary in Ridgeland, MS. He is a member of the St. Peter Fellowship of the Center for Pastor Theologians.