Description
Book SynopsisThis book is for people who are interested in Luke and the law, and specifically in Acts 15. For all students writing papers related to Luke and the law or Acts 15 and especially for professors who are teaching Acts, this is a book they must consider. This work provides a new approach to reading Acts 15. It reads both Peter's and James' speeches in Acts 15 in light of Jesus' view of the law in the Gospel of Luke. For example, this book proposes that Peter's reference to God's cleansing the heart of the Gentile believers, in conjunction with his speaking of the Jews' inability to do the law in Acts 15:9-10, should be understood against Luke 11:37-41. This book also proposes that in James' use of Amos 9:11-12 (in Acts 15:16-17), he recalls Jesus' stress upon his name in Luke 24. In Luke 24:47-48, Jesus explains that the Scriptures (the law of Moses, prophets, and Psalms) speak of the preaching of repentance for the forgiveness of sins in his name to all nati
Trade Review
“Dr. Chen’s study is a welcome and helpful addition to the debate over the Lukan understanding of the Law. She makes an important contribution in linking the debate over Gentile law-keeping in Acts 15 to the words of the Lukan Jesus and locating Luke’s theology of the Law in the authority of the risen Lord.” —Mark Seifrid, Professor of Exegetical Theology, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis
“Dr. Chen has accomplished the almost impossible task of moving beyond the myriad of contemporary studies on Luke’s view of the Law in providing a succinct and fresh reading of Acts 15. Instead of merely assuming the unity of Luke-Acts, Chen demonstrates how the discussion of the role and use of the Law in Acts draws from the precise content and formulations of relevant pericopae found in the Gospel of Luke. Chen provides a compelling thesis that deserves careful study and evaluation.” —David W. Pao, Professor of New Testament and Chair of the New Testament Department, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Illinois
“While not a comprehensive examination of the theme of the Law in Luke-Acts, this detailed study ranges well beyond Acts 15 and nuances the discussion of Luke’s understanding of the Law far more than its scholarly predecessors did. Chen is not ensnared by the trend over the past generation to make Luke ever more conservative with respect to the Law but recognizes its fundamental role as witness to Christ. Nevertheless, secure in its fulfillment in this fashion, Luke is not embarrassed by showing the first followers of Jesus as law-obedient when it is their natural custom. But he is clear that it never has any salvific value. A very erudite study that should supersede the more one-sided perspectives of other recent monographs on the topic.” —Craig L. Blomberg, Distinguished Professor of New Testament, Denver Seminary
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments – List of Abbreviations – Introduction – A Survey of Secondary Literature – Methodology – Jesus’ View of the Law in the Gospel of Luke – Cultural Intertexture of Acts 15:1 and 15:5 – Peter’s Speech in the Jerusalem Meeting in Acts 15:1–21 – James’ Use of the Scriptures in Acts 15 – Conclusion – Bibliography – Index of Ancient Sources – Index of Authors – Subject Index.
