Words for “Walking in the Truth”: Reading 2 John Through Social Representations Theory

Abstract

Social Representations Theory (SRT) is a theoretical framework within social psychology which focuses on communication strategies which serve to establish order and self-understanding vis-à-vis others. SRT is concerned with analyzing social processes of meaning-making or value ascriptions which serve to render familiar what was formerly unfamiliar. This involves the integration of new concepts, beliefs and values into existing schemas as part of the construction and interpretation of experience. This article applies SRT to the letter of 2 John in order to better elucidate how the author’s communication strategies contribute to the strengthening of social identities by establishing boundaries relative to what is familiar and unfamiliar. This article focuses on how the concepts of exclusion and inclusion are communicated to readers. The analysis suggests that the application of SRT can clarify how 2 John reflects rhetorical efforts to ameliorate conflict and maintain coherence and social viability through the creation of boundaries.