The story of Lazarus in John 11-12 typically has been understood by scholars as a prototype of the resurrection of Christ. In this book, Esler and Piper examine the raising of Lazarus, the relationship between him and his two sisters Mary and Martha and the theological implications of a social-scientific critique of this relationship and the Lazarus story in general.
Using social identify theory, Elser and Piper set out what social identity theory actually means, how it works and how it applies to John's Gospel. They then show how their ecclesiological reading of the Lazarus Story finds confirmation in the catacomb art from Rome. The book concludes by setting out some of the theological dimensions of the investigation and ultimately provides fresh theological insight into this New Testament text.
