"A Continuum imprint"--T.p. verso.

Revised version of the author's thesis (Ph. D.)--St. Mary's College, University of St. Andrews, 2008.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [232]-253) and indexes.

The Holy Spirit in Luke-Acts : tracing the history of research -- Social identity and the "other" : a methodological and historical overview -- Expanding the ethnic horizon : the Spirit and allocentric identity in Luke 1-2 -- Critiquing defective identities : Spirit-empowered figures and in-group bias in Luke 3-4 -- Initiating a scandal of universal particularity : the Spirit in Acts 1-2 -- Consummating a new identity : the community summaries and the identity-forming power of a group -- Incorporating the "other" : the Spirit and superordinate identity in Acts 6-9 -- Transcending ethnicity : the Spirit and trans-ethnic identity in Acts 10-15 -- Conclusion.

"Aaron J. Kuecker draws on resources from social identity theory to demonstrate that in Luke's narrative the Spirit is the central figure in the formation of a new social identity. In his argumentation Kuecker provides extended exegetical treatments of Luke 1-4 and Acts 1-15. He shows that Luke 1-4 establishes a foundation for Luke's understanding of the relationship between human identity, the Spirit, and the 'other'--especially as it relates to the distribution of in-group benefits beyond group boundaries. With regard to Acts 1-15, Kuecker shows that the Spirit acts whenever human identity is in question in order to transform communities and individuals via the formation of a new social identity.... This transformed identity produces profound expressions of interethnic reconciliation in Luke-Acts expressed through reformed economic practice, impressive intergroup hospitality, and a reoriented use of ethnic language"--Provided by publisher.