The literary shape and missional significance of Acts : an invitation to be an instrument for the kingdom of God (original) (raw)
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Artist to the Gentiles: Literary Theology in Luke-Acts
Postaugustum, 2019
Luke-Acts demonstrates a theological concern with Jesus as Redeemer of the outcasts (whether they be within Israel or Gentiles), and a literary concern with Greco-Roman modes of presentation. In both these respects, Luke-Acts is unique among the rest of the New Testament. In this paper, I review the specific Greco-Roman literary techniques that Luke-Acts exploits, as well as evidences of its theological concerns. Ultimately, in this paper I assert that the unique literary concern of Luke-Acts serves its unique theological concern: that is, the texts demonstrate Greco-Roman modes of artistic presentation, especially epic and epic history, in order to make a theological point about the universality of the Gospel message and the endless dominion of Jesus as King, as well as to present Christianity so as to be compelling to Gentiles.
Issues in Luke-Acts: Selected Essays
"This volume provides an introduction and engagement with the major critical issues in the study of Luke-Acts. As the study of Acts has become, once again, one of the major areas of focus within New Testament scholarship, this collection of essays presents an orientation to the major issues of Luke-Acts study, while providing fresh scholarship by senior scholars. This holistic overture addresses fundamental questions such as authorship, dating, textual concerns, sources, speeches and literary form(s). Furthermore, theological topics, such as Christology, ecclesiology, pneumatology and missiology, as well as the portrayal of Paul, and the role of the Old Testament are discussed. Finally, the reception history of Acts and its influence on the development of the early “catholic” church is considered. Table of Contents (page 5) Contributors (page 7) Preface (page 11) Abbreviations (page 13) Introduction (page 17) The Author and Date of Luke-Acts: Exploring the Options by Frank Dicken (page 23) The Unity of Luke-Acts: One Work, One Author, One Purpose? by Joseph Verheyden (page 43) The Text of Luke and Acts: Witnesses, Features, and the Significance of the Textual Traditions by Dieter T. Roth (page 67) The Sources for Luke and Acts: Where Did Luke Get His Material (and Why Does it Matter)? by Brandon D. Crowe (page 89) The Genre of Luke and Acts: The State of the Question by Sean A. Adams (page 113) The Narrative of Luke-Acts: Getting to Know the Savior God by F. Scott Spencer (page 137) The Use of the Old Testament in Luke-Acts: Luke's Scriptural Story of the "Things Accomplished Among Us" by Kenneth D. Litwak (page 163) The Speeches in Acts: Historicity, Theology, and Genre by Osvaldo Padilla (page 187) The Pneumatology of Luke-Acts: The Spirit of Prophecy Unleashed by David G. Peterson (page 211) Christology in Acts: Jesus in Early Christian Belief and Practice by Larry W. Hurtado (page 233) Paul in Acts: The Prophetic Portrait of Paul by Carl N. Toney (page 255) The Patristic Reception of Luke and Acts: Scholarship, Theology, and Moral Exhortation in the Homilies of Origen and Chrysostom by Karl Shuve (page 279) Luke-Acts and "Early Catholicism": Eschatological and Ecclesiological Trajectories in the Early Church by Thomas Keene (page 303) Index of Scripture and Ancient Writings (page 327) Index of Authors (page 349) "
BT 805 W1 The Theology of Luke-Acts
2009
This course will begin by reviewing the history of the interpretation of Luke and Acts and the relationship of these two books. This will lay a foundation for surveying several important theological themes found in Luke-Acts. Finally, this course will explore the use of Luke-Acts in contemporary biblical and constructive theology through research, interpretation, and theological synthesis. Course Purpose and Context: This course is part of the offerings for Asbury's Ph.D. in Biblical Studies. Luke-Acts forms approximately one-third of the NT. Acts in particular is unique for its narrative of the early church in the NT. Therefore, trained scholars in Biblical Studies should be familiar with its contents, theological emphases, and history of interpretation. This course stands alongside the study of other major blocks of material in the canon, deals specifically with hermeneutical issues between text and theology, and picks up the history of interpretation in the modern period where the seminar in the history of biblical interpretation ends. Course Objectives Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: State the major issues that shaped the interpretation of Luke-Acts in the ancient and modern contexts and explain how these issues continue to affect the interpretation of Luke's opus.
BT 805 The Theology of Luke-Acts
2009
This course will begin by reviewing the history of the interpretation of Luke and Acts and the relationship of these two books. This will lay a foundation for surveying several important theological themes found in Luke-Acts. Finally, this course will explore the use of Luke-Acts in contemporary biblical and constructive theology through research, interpretation, and theological synthesis. Course Purpose and Context: This course is part of the offerings for Asbury's Ph.D. in Biblical Studies. Luke-Acts forms approximately one-third of the NT. Acts in particular is unique for its narrative of the early church in the NT. Therefore, trained scholars in Biblical Studies should be familiar with its contents, theological emphases, and history of interpretation. This course stands alongside the study of other major blocks of material in the canon, deals specifically with hermeneutical issues between text and theology, and picks up the history of interpretation in the modern period where the seminar in the history of biblical interpretation ends. Course Objectives Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: State the major issues that shaped the interpretation of Luke-Acts in the ancient and modern contexts and explain how these issues continue to affect the interpretation of Luke's opus.
Over the centuries, numerous major theological errors, based on a faulty interpretation of the book of Acts, have crept into the teaching of the church. These errors have had and continue to have a detrimental effect on the church. For this reason, when interpreting the book of Acts, it is important for Bible scholars to pose the following key questions: Should the practices of the early church serve as the norm for our church practices today? Should we derive our key doctrines from the early church history alone? After discussing the nature and purpose of biblical narratives and some general guidelines for interpreting the narrative portions of scripture, the article examines Luke's purpose for writing the book of Acts. In this article the author proposes the INCUR model for assessing the normative value of narrative passages in the Bible. The proposed model covers five hermeneutical principles derived 1 The views expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the beliefs of the South African Theological Seminary.
Religious Studies Review, 2006
extensive critical apparatus, while the French translation has two sets of notes, brief notes at the bottom of the page and longer notes (numbered consecutively with the brief notes) gathered in "Notes complémentaires." These notes are almost a commentary on the text, crammed with useful information. A Greek Index Nominum, an Index Verborum, an Index of French proper names, and a list of citations complete the volume. Everyone working with classical rhetoric will want this edition at hand, whether in university or seminary library, or on one's own shelves. It is a major editorial achievement and deserves wide use.
EVANGELICAL THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY A Text Critical Commentary on Acts
This paper will examine Acts 15:16-21, 29; 21:25 and observe the evidence of variant readings therein. Out of all the literature written about problems with the text in the book of Acts, none is more extensive than that of the 'Apostolic Decree' that is found here in Acts 15:20, 29; 21:25. This passage is important in that it gives the reader insight into Luke's thought, the problems raised with the early church in how to interpret and understand the Law, as well as the primitive church's situational condition in how they treated such disputes. The main problem on text critical research of the Decree has concentrated on which form fits the context best as well as attempting to discern the origin of the variant forms. This paper will go verse by verse starting from Acts 15:16 and discuss the text critical issues ending with verse 21. The verses of Acts 15:20, 29; 21:25 will also be compared and highlighted as to their different forms from Acts 15:20 as these texts have been one of the highlights in the history of text critical issues within the book of Acts.