The Social World of Luke-Acts: Models for Interpretation

by Jerome H. Neyrey (Editor)

"This enormously useful volume presents a 'world' of information and theoretical perspectives that have become indispensable for contextual exegesis of Luke-Acts. The authors of this fascinating and well-planned book are seasoned and trustworthy guides into the world inhabited by Luke and his first readers. These provocative articles provide the commentary reader of Luke-Acts with mighty tools for creating first-century scenarios that reveal significantly new dimensions of Luke's cutting edges."--S. Scott Bartchy, associate professor of early Christian history, UCLA

"This is clearly the best collection of articles available from the New Testament scholars employing methods of interpretation from cultural anthropology. The writers introduce a wide range of innovative models to unravel the culture of the biblical world. They offer the first comprehensive analysis of a single New Testament text from the perspective of the social sciences. This highly readable volume will be essential for anyone eager to experience the flood of insights coming from recent social study of the New Testament."--David Rhoads, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago

Genres: Sociology, Biblical Studies, New Testament, Religion, Christianity, History

452 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1991

Reviews

[Michael Walker · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this work, a social sciences approach to the Lukan New Testament materials. Neyrey is the editor of this 13 chapter book comprising articles by 9 different writers, and divided into 3 sections: Social Psychology, Social Institutions, and Social Dynamics. As this is an evolving field of Biblical study, the insights are needfully tentative, but also tantalizing. Some conclusions appear to be spot-on deductions.

[Paul, · Rating 2 out of 5]

A collection of articles of uneven quality. There is a lot of guesswork in this book and a lot of over-certainty. The social science framework is employed, which I appreciate, but it is over-used. A lot of "man with a hammer syndrome" too, I think. Some of the material is still worth reading. I particularly enjoyed the article Conflict in Luke-Acts: Labelling and Deviance Theory, which I think has present-day applications.

[Ramón · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seriously, social science commentaries shed so much light on ancient texts, particularly the Bible. This collection of essays was particularly helpful.

[Fred Middel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A valuable resource. Some chapters are less valuable than others, with clear presumptive bias. Overall, well worth the read.