Because of Luke's unique literary achievement in the Gospel of Luke and Acts, these two works raise a variety of interesting and important issues for the exegete. In this important collection of essays, Tannehill demonstrates why he is has been in the forefront of Luke-Acts research for more than three decades. His nuanced approach to the intersection of literary, theological, and social features in the texts marks these as required reading for any interpreter of the gospels. Contents Part I: Theology, Poetry, Rhetoric 1 The Mission of Jesus according to Luke 4:16-30 2 The Magnificat as Poem 3 What Kind of King? What Kind of Kingdom? 4 The Lukan Discourse on Invitations 5 The Story of Zacchaeus as Rhetoric 6 Repentance in the Context of Lukan Soteriology Part II: Luke and the Jews 7 Israel in Luke-Acts: A Tragic Story 8 The Story of Israel within the Lukan Narrative 9 Rejection by Jews and Turning to Gentiles: The Pattern of Paul's Mission in Acts Part III: Acts as Narrative 10 The Functions of Peter's Mission Speeches in the Narrative of Acts 11 The Composition of Acts 3Ð5: Narrative Development and Echo Effect 12 Paul outside the Christian Ghetto: Intercultural Conflict and Cooperation in Acts 13 The Narrator's Strategy in the Scenes of Paul's Defense Part IV: Hermeneutical Experiments 14 Should We Love Simon the Pharisee? Reflections on the Pharisees in Luke 15 Freedom and Responsibility in Scripture Interpretation 16 ÒCorneliusÓ and ÒTabithaÓ Encounter Luke's Jesus

These seminal essays introduce the reader to the interdisciplinary approach of New Testament scholarship which is affecting the way the Book of Acts is studied and interpreted. Insights from the social sciences, narratological studies, Greek and Roman rhetoric and history, and classics, set the Acts of the Apostles in its original historical, literary and social context; these methods of interpretation have not always been applied to biblical study in a systematic way. The discussions from a shared general perspective range over genre and method, historical and theological problems, and issues of literary criticism. History, Literature and Society in the Book of Acts is an interesting and valuable overview of some of the chief preoccupations of biblical studies with contributions from leading scholars in the Old and New Testaments and the history of antiquity.

Among New Testament writers, who is the best historian? Without a doubt, says Justo Gonzalez, it s Luke. Concerned about the particulars of people and events, Luke also gives readers the big picture, positioning the stories of Jesus not just in the history of Israel but in the history of humankind. Luke uniquely tells us the grand story of salvation -- then and now. Gonzalez skillfully highlights key themes in Luke s storytelling, including his strong emphasis on God s great reversals, his keen interest in shared meals and their intimate connection to worship and communion, and his passionate underscoring of both the saving work of Christ and the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. Writing in a conversational style, Gonzalez draws readers into Luke s story with fresh overviews and rich details, showing how Luke invites us to continue his gospel witness today.

J. Andrew Cowan challenges the popular theory that Luke sought to boost the cultural status of the early Christian movement by emphasising its Jewish roots – associating the new church with an ancient and therefore respected heritage. Cowan instead argues that Luke draws upon the traditions of the Old Testament and its supporting texts as a reassurance to Christians, promising that Jesus' life, his works and the church that follow legitimately provide fulfilment of God's salvific plan. Cowan's argument compares Luke's writings to two near-contemporaries, Dionysius of Halicarnassus and T. Flavius Josephus, both of whom emphasized the ancient heritage of a people with cultural or political aims in view, exploring how the writings of Luke do not reflect the same cultural values or pursue the same ends. Challenging assumptions on Luke's supposed attempts to assuage political concerns, capitalize on antiquity, and present Christianity as an inner-Jewish sect, Cowan counters with arguments for Luke being critical of over-valuing tradition and defining the Jewish people as resistant to God and His messages. Cowan concludes with the argument that the apostle does not strive for legitimisation of the new church by previous cultural standards, but instead provides theological reassurance to Christians that God's plan has been fulfilled, with implications for broader debate.

Introduces literary, historical, and theological issues of Luke and Acts. Biblical texts create worlds of meaning, and invite readers to enter them. When readers enter such textual worlds, which are often strange and complex, they are confronted with theological claims. With this in mind, the purpose of the Interpreting Biblical Texts series is to help serious readers in their experience of reading and interpreting by providing guides for their journeys into textual worlds. The controlling perspective is expressed in the operative word of the title--interpreting. The primary focus of the series is not so much on the world behind the texts or out of which the texts have arisen as on the worlds created by the texts in their engagement with readers. In keeping with the goals of the series, this volume provides an introductory guide to readers of the New Testament books of Luke and Acts. It focuses on both the synchronic and diachronic dimensions of the literature in an effort to acquaint readers with literary, historical, and theological issues that will facilitate interpretation of these important books. F. Scott Spencer is Professor of New Testament at Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond.

This Luke commentary bundle features volumes from the NIV Application Commentary Series, Zondervan Exegetical Commentary Series, and Expositor's Bible Commentary Series authored by Darrell L. Bock, David E. Garland, Walter L. Liefeld, and David W. Pao. The diverse features from each of the volumes gives you all the tools you need to master the book of Luke.

The current interest in reading the Gospels as narratives has reclaimed aspects of these texts that historical-critical approaches failed to respect. The richness of these newer readings can, however, disguise their limitations as literary-critical exercises. Developing Hans Frei's concern for theological reading, David Lee reworks the narratology of the Dutch literary theorist Mieke Bal to produce a theological narrative reading practice that formally respects the text as scripture while leaving open the possible meanings that readers may construct for themselves in the act of reading. Lee demonstrates his approach through readings of the Narrator and the characters Jesus and the Demons as aspects of a composite Lukan narrative Christology.