As a narrative critical study of the Lukan Infancy Narrative, this is a work which puts new questions to an old and (some would claim) over interpreted text. The work traces through the Infancy narrative two trajectories - one theological, the other epistemological. At the point of theology, Luke focuses upon God and the strange shape of the divine visitation; at the point of epistemology, Luke focuses upon the human being and what is needed to recognise the divine visitation, given its strangeness. The study then shows how the two trajectories converge in the Infancy Narrative's last episode, the Finding of the Child in the Temple. Though often accorded scant attention, this is an episode which, Coleridge argues, is the true climax of the Infancy Narrative, since it is only then that Jesus is born in the narrative as the protagonist he will prove consistently to be and only then that the Lukan Narrative itself is born. It is this rather than any physical birth which most absorbs Luke in the first two chapters of the Gospel. Though a study of the Infancy narrative, this is a work with far-reaching implications for the whole of Luke-Acts

Despite the striking frequency with which the Greek word kyrios, Lord, occurs in Luke's Gospel, this study is the first comprehensive analysis of Luke's use of this word. The analysis follows the use of kyrios in the Gospel from beginning to end in order to trace narratively the complex and deliberate development of Jesus' identity as Lord. Detailed attention to Luke's narrative artistry and his use of Mark demonstrates that Luke has a nuanced and sophisticated christology centered on Jesus' identity as Lord.

The greatly anticipated third volume of Pope Benedict's already internationally bestselling examination of the life of Jesus Christ and His message for people today. This renowned theologian, biblical scholar and Pastor of over a billion Roman Catholics helps us to rediscover the essence of the Christian Religion.

In Luke-Acts, Jesus can be seen to take on the attributes of the Davidic shepherd king, a representation successfully conveyed through specific narrative devices. The presence of the shepherds in the birth narrative can be understood as an indication of this understanding of Jesus. Sarah Harris analyses the multiple ways scholars have viewed the shepherds as characters in the narrative, and uses this as an example of how the theme of Jesus' shepherd nature is interwoven into the narrative as a whole. From the starting point of Jesus' human life, Harris moves to later events portrayed in Jesus' ministry in which he is seen to enact his message as God's faithful Davidic shepherd, in particular, the parable of the Lost Sheep and the Zacchaeus pericope (19:1-10). Harris uses this latter encounter to underline that Jesus may be hailed as a King by the crowds as he enters Jerusalem, but he is not simply a king. He is God's Davidic Shepherd King, as prophesied in Micah 5 and Ezekiel 34, who brings the gospel of peace and salvation to the earth.

This study traces the debate surrounding Luke's use of the Gospel of Mark and special sources, such as Proto-Luke, in a section of the passion narrative (Lk 22,54-23,25). The survey covers roughly the period from the 1880's to 1997. Part I details the development from P. Feine to the 1960's. Part II begins with G. Schneider continuing up through 1997. In treating each scholar's position, the author reviews their underlying Synoptic theory, their source theory in the passion in general, then the trial of Pilate, and finally the trial before Herod. Part III is devoted to an interpretation of Lk 23,6 - 16. Part IV contains the list of abbreviations, the bibliography, and three appendices: (1) Special LQ vocabulary and constructions according to J. Weiss; (2) Lukan priority theories; and (3) the Gospel of Peter and its relation to the Herod pericope. Part IV concludes with the name index. The Lukan Passion Narrative will be particularly useful to those concerned with Luke's redactional technique, Source theories, Minor Agreements, and the history of exegesis.

This is a new paperback edition of David Moessner's Lord of the Banquet, acclaimed by specialists in Lucan studies as a major contribution to understanding the theology and compositional logic of Luke's Gospel.

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.

This work illuminates the tension between divine empowering and the neglected element of the work of the Spirit in contexts of opposition. This lacuna, not addressed in previous Pentecostal scholarship, is at the heart of Mittelstadt's exegesis. Thus, Jesus not only lives and ministers in the power of the Holy Spirit, but also experiences opposition and persecution as a man of the Spirit. Further, the Lukan Jesus not only transfers the Spirit to his disciples, but also anticipates a similar fate for his followers. Finally, Luke forecasts that this divine enablement of the Spirit, also available for future witnesses, brings with it a similar anticipation of the same rejection and opposition as was experienced by Jesus and the disciples. While Pentecostals owe a debt of gratitude for the pioneering work of Pentecostal scholars, this book furthers their efforts by exploring the implications of Spirit-led witness in Luke-Acts.

"Were the three rulers with the name "Herod" in Luke-Acts a composite character? Frank Dicken explores their narrative similarities and interprets them as a single character in light of other examples of conflation in Jewish and early Christian literature."--Provided by publisher.