The Gospel According to Luke: Good News for the Gentiles David Moseley, Ph.D.
Studying Luke Ø The Comparative Method of Criticism Comparing Luke to Mark and Matthew Ø Synoptic = Seen Together v Material Common to Matthew, Mark and Luke v Four Source Hypothesis
Four Source Hypothesis
1. Mark The Synoptic Problem 2. Q ( Quelle = Source) - Common to Matthew and Luke, but not in Mark 3. M = Material unique to Matthew 4. L = Material unique to Luke
Luke The Physician Authorship of Luke Ø Companion of Paul v Colossians 4:14 v II Timothy 4:11 v Philemon 24
Luke s Preface (1:1-4) Ø Luke as an Historian Ø Luke as Apologetic Literature for Roman Official ( Most Excellent Theophilus )? Or for Early Church Community? Ø Luke-Acts as Two-Volume mixed Genre of Biography and History
Luke & History Ø Joseph s Hometown: An Illustration of Comparative Method (1:26; 2:4; 2:39; 2:51) See Matthew s Infancy Narratives (Matt. 1-2) Ø Historical Problems for the Historian s Gospel : v Census (2:1) v Quirinius (2:2)
Contrasts Between Birth Narratives of Luke and Matthew Matthew Home Town Bethlehem Divine Communication - Dreams Beneficiary - Joseph Virgin Birth Fulfils Prophecy Why Bethlehem? David s Home Town Birthplace House Ruler Herod the Great Light Source Star Visitors Wise Men Post-Birth Trip - Egypt Why Nazareth? Escaping Archelaus Luke Home Town - Nazareth Divine Communication - Angels Beneficiary - Mary Virgin Birth Divine-Human Demigod Why Bethlehem? Census Birthplace - Stable Ruler Roman Emperor Light Source - Angels Visitors Shepherds Post-Birth Trip - Jerusalem Why Nazareth? Home Town
Luke s Metanarrative: From Jerusalem to Rome
1. Salvation for the Jews: Luke s Orientation to the Temple Ø Birth of John (ch.1) Ø Jesus Dedication and Circumcision (2:21-38) Ø Jesus aged 12 at Passover (2:41-51) Ø Temptations Culminate at Temple (4:9) Ø Journey to Jerusalem (ch.9-19) Ø Gospel Begins (1:8-9) and Ends (24:53) in the Temple
2. Salvation for the Gentiles: Luke s Orientation to the World Ø Luke s Genealogy back to Adam (3:38) Ø References to Samaritans (10:30-37; 17:11-19 cf. Acts 8:5; Mt.10:5) Ø Gentiles have Opportunity to Accept Gospel (2:32; 3:6; 24:47)
3. From Jews to Gentiles: Jesus as the Rejected Prophet Ø Luke s Universalism (15:3-7) Compare Matt. 18:13
The Prophets v Prophecy is for Times of Crisis 1. Indictment 2. Threat 3. Call to Change v The Paradox of Prophecy
Jesus as a Prophet in Life Ø Prophetic Model of Birth Narrative (cf. I Samuel 1-2) Ø Sermon in Nazareth as Synopsis of Entire Gospel (4:14-30) Ø Healing of Widow of Nain s Son (7:11-17) (cf. I Kings 17:17-24)
The Nature of Parables v Mashal (Hebrew) to be like Offer an Illustration v Parabolē (Greek) to put / throw beside Make a Comparison v Parables contain the Secret of the Kingdom of God (Mark 4:11) v Making Familiar Things Strange, and Strange Things Familiar v Disorientation Transformation Reorientation
Those who Have Ears to Hear
There was a Man who had Two Sons
Dividing the Property
The Distant Country
The Prodigal Son
Hitting Bottom
He Came to Himself
The Return of the Prodigal
The Prodigal Father
Meanwhile The Elder Brother
Happily Ever After..?
The Parable of the Ideal Father and his Two Good-for-Nothing Sons!
All About the Father
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
Who is My Neighbor? Ø A Priest A Levite A Samaritan? Ø What s so Good about Samaritans? Ø Who is My Neighbor?
Jesus Prophetic Death Ø Violent Opposition to and Martyrdom of Prophets (13:32-34 cf. 4:24)
Jesus as a Prophet in Death Ø The Enigma of Jesus Bloody Sweat (22:43-44) Ø Jesus as a Calm and Righteous Martyr (cf. Daniel chs.3, 6; and I & 4 Maccabees) Ø No Sacrifice (cf. Mark Jesus Death as Atoning Sacrifice prefigured in Last Supper) Death of Prophet is Miscarriage of Justice for an Innocent Man
Theories of Atonement I. Ransom / Christus Victor II. Sacrifice / Substitution / Penal / Vicarious III.Moral / Exemplary
Delay of the End Times : The Social Implications of Luke s Gospel Ø The Kingdom is Here Cataclysm will not be in the Disciples Lifetime (ch.21) Ø The Radical Ethics of the Kingdom in Luke: v Magnificat (1:46-55) v Beatitudes (ch. 6 cf. Mt.5) v Women (8:1-3; 10:38-42) POSTPONED
From Luke to Acts More of the Same