Abstract:
This article explores marginality theory as it was first proposed in the
social sciences, that is related to persons caught between two competing
cultures (Park; Stonequist) , and, then, as it was developed in sociology
as related to the poor (Germani) and in anthropology as it was related to
involuntary marginality and voluntary marginality (Victor Turner). It
then examines a 'normative scheme' in antiquity that creates involuntary
marginality at the macrosocial level, namely, Lenski's social stratification
model in an agrarian society, and indicates how Matthean language
might fit with a sample inventory of socio-religious roles. Next, it
examines some 'normative schemes' in antiquity for voluntary marginality
at the microsocial level, namely, groups, and examines how the
Matthean gospel would fit based on indications of factions and leaders.
The article shows that the author of the Gospel of Matthew has an ideology
of 'voluntary marginality', but his gospel includes some hope for
'involuntary marginals' in the real world, though it is somewhat
tempered. It also suggests that the writer of the Gospel is a 'marginal
man', especially in the sense defined by the early theorists (Park; Stonequist).
