Van Aarde, A.G. (Andries G.)2017-07-282017-07-282017-04-26Van Aarde, A.G., 2017, ‘“By faith alone” (undivided loyalty) in light of change agency theory: Jesus, Paul and the Jesus-group in Colossae’, HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies 73(3), a4355. https://DOI.org/ 10.4102/hts.v73i3.4355.0259-9422 (print)2072-8050 (online)10.4102/hts.v73i3.4355http://hdl.handle.net/2263/61484This research is part of the research project, ‘Biblical Theology and Hermeneutics’, directed by Prof. Dr Andries van Aarde, professor emeritus and senior fellow in the Unit for Advancement of Scholarship at the Faculty of Theology of the University of Pretoria, South Africa.This article aims to apply the model of change agent to the interpretation of Colossians. Presuming a continuity between Jesus and Paul, the article introduces the concept of ‘by faith alone’ from the Pauline letters. By this expression is meant an undivided fidelity to an inclusive approach to understanding God’s work, with concrete historical roots in Jesus’ crossing of gender, ethnic and cultural boundaries. Living in this manner requires reformation, transformation and change. The study spells out in fuller detail what is understood ‘by faith alone’ by discussing the meaning of ‘faith’ within its semantic domain embedded in the codes of 1st-century Mediterranean culture. Living in faith is both a change of one’s inner convictions and about a life in faith.en© 2017. The Authors. Licensee: AOSIS. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License.FaithGod’s workColossiansJesusPaulTheology articles SDG-04SDG-04: Quality educationTheology articles SDG-05SDG-05: Gender equalityTheology articles SDG-10SDG-10: Reduced inequalitiesTheology articles SDG-16SDG-16: Peace, justice and strong institutionsArticle