Synopses & Reviews
Against the majority opinion, this study argues that the Lukan Parable of the Talents (Lk 19.11-28) is a story about the use and abuse of power. The parable is also the story of those who suffer adverse consequences when they oppose unjust power structures. This suppression of challenge to oppressive structures evidenced in the Parable of the Pounds fits a pattern that operates in other parts of the Lukan Gospel. We meet it, for example, in the arrest and killing of John the Baptist by Herod, and in the arrest and crucifixion of Jesus. The Parable of the Pounds can be seen as a paradigm for the stories of those characters in the Lukan Gospel who 'lose their pound' when they challenge an oppressive structure, where 'pound' becomes a metaphor for what one has that can be potentially taken away by those in a position of power. This study argues that this pattern of 'taking away the pound' is also seen within stories of women characters who resist patriarchal ideals and expectations. The Parable of the Pounds is used as a lens through which to view the characterizations of Lukan women. New lenses provide new opportunities for perception. This study explores what is opened up by this way of viewing the text. In particular, it explores the ways in which the dynamic of the Parable of the Pounds gives insight into the dynamic operating in the Lukan women's characterizations. LNTS>
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION I.Hermeneutical Framework and Methodology II.Women and Slaves in the Greco-Roman World III.The Oppression of Silencing IV.Public and Private Space V.Outline of Chapters
CHAPTER 1 THE PARABLE OF THE POUNDS AND LUKAN WOMEN: THE CURRENT STATE OF SCHOLARSHIP I. Scholarship on the Parable of the Pounds A. The Failure of the Third Slave B. Honouring the Third Slave C. Conclusions from the Literature Review of the Parable of the Pounds II.Scholarship on Women in the Gospel of Luke A. The Gospel for Women B. The Need for Watchfulness C.Conclusions from the Literature Review of the Lukan Women
CHAPTER 2 READING THE PARABLE OF THE POUNDS I. The Nature of "Parable" II. The Matthean Parable of the Talents III.Lukan Context for the Parable of the Pounds IV.Structure of the Parable of the Pounds V.Reading the Parable - The Opposition of the Citizens VI.Reading the Parable - Calling the Slaves to Account
CHAPTER 3 LUKAN THEOLOGY AND THE PARABLE OF THE POUNDS AS METAPHOR I.Lukan Theology A. Visitation and Hospitality B.Proclaiming and Embodying Release C. Social Justice Ethos D. Death and Resurrection E.Salvation II.The Parable as Metaphor A. John the Baptist B. Jesus C.Reading Metaphorically D. The Characterisation of Women CHAPTER 4 THE CHARACTERISATION OF WOMEN IN THE NARRATIVE OF LUKE 1-2 I. Elizabeth Introduced II.Mary Introduced III.The Meeting of Elizabeth and Mary IV.Elizabeth Names Her Son V.Mary Gives Birth VI.Anna in the Temple VII.Mary Speaks in the Temple VIII.Other References to Mary IX.Conclusion
CHAPTER 5 THE CHARACTERISATION OF WOMEN IN THE NARRATIVE OF LUKE 3-24 I. Simon's Mother-in-law II.The Widow at Nain III.The Woman who Anoints Jesus' Feet IV.Women With Jesus V.Jairus' Daughter and a Woman With a Haemorrhage VI.Martha and Mary VII.A Woman in the Crowd VIII.The Woman With a Spirit of Infirmity IX.The Widow With Two Coins X.A Slave-Woman XI.The Daughters of Jerusalem XII.The Women from Galilee XIII.Women in Parables A. The Woman With Ten Coins B. The Widow Seeking Justice XIV. Conclusion
CHAPTER 6 WOMEN, THE PARABLE OF THE POUNDS AND LUKAN THEOLOGY I. What is "Gained"? II.The Pound Taken Away A. Women Disbelieved by Other Characters B. Women Corrected C. Women's Words Not Recorded D.Women as Demon Possessed E. Women Who Do Not Speak III.The Cumulative Narrative Effect IV.Women in Lukan Parables V.Women's Resistance VI.Power Inequities VII.Release for the Oppressed? VIII.Acclamation
CONCLUSION I.Summary of Findings II.Implications for the Twenty-first Century
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