Social identity and spatial inversion in Luke 16:19–31 (Lazarus and the rich man)

Abstract

The parable of Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16:19–31) presents two characters in opposite situations: the rich man living in luxury and Lazarus living in squalor. In the afterlife, their fates are reversed. A synthesis of Social Identity Theory (SIT) and spatiality can explain the reversal of fortunes present in the parable. From SIT, we see who is to be counted among the descendants of Abraham, and from spatiality, we see a difference in assigned spaces to each of these social groups. From SIT, we see based on the use of wealth who is legitimately a “child of Abraham.” The spaces become inverted, and this inversion is a form of spatial justice.