Synopses & Reviews
Luke's Acts of the Apostles is the only documentation available on the birth of Christianity, despite the author's vigorously disputed reliability as a historian. Daniel Marguerat avoids this true/false quagmire by establishing his evaluation of Luke's talent as an historian within the framework of ancient historiography (the rules of ancient historians and narrative criticism). His study portrays Luke as a skillful and sound theologian, and provides an original approach to the classic themes of Lucan theology.
Review
"...there is much in Marguerat's book to commend it to the reader. The careful exegesis is enlightening. The familiarity with ancient sources, both their parallels and differences from Luke's account, provide the reader with a cautious analysis, avoiding some of the enthusiasm for supposed 'parallels' discovered by earlier critics. The book is well worth the reader's time and attention." Ashland Theological Journal
Review
"Although each piece in the collection can stand alone, they cohere well and reinforce one another. Marguerat consistently and persuasively highlights the perseverance of the church's missionary proclamation as a dominant theological theme in Acts. These significant contributions from an insightful and accomplished interpreter deserve to be a conversation partner of Lukan scholars, today and for generations to come." Religious Studies Review
Synopsis
Luke is considered the first historian of Christianity, but his reliability is vigorously disputed among scholars. Daniel Marguerat avoids this true/false quagmire by setting his evaluation of Luke's talent as a historian firmly within the framework of ancient historiography, the rules of ancient historians and narrative criticism.
Synopsis
This book is an original evaluation of Luke's reliability as the first historian of Christianity.
About the Author
DANIEL MARGUERAT is Professor of New Testament Studies at the Faculty of Theology of the University of Lausanne, Switzerland.
Table of Contents
1. How Luke wrote history; 2. A narrative of beginnings; 3. The unity of Luke-Acts: the task of reading; 4. A Christianity between Jerusalem and Rome; 5. The God of Acts; 6. The work of the spirit; 7. Jews and Christians in conflict; 8. Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5.1-11): the original sin; 9. Saul's conversion (Acts 9-22-26); 10. The enigma of the end of Acts (26.16-31); 11. Travels and travelers.