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The Charismatic Theology of St. Luke: Trajectories from the Old Testament to Luke-Acts
What is the meaning of the Holy Spirit's activity in Luke-Acts, and what are its implications for today? Roger Stronstad offers a cogent and thought-provoking study of Luke as a charismatic theologian whose understanding of the Spirit was shaped wholly by his understanding of Jesus and the nature of the early church. Stronstad locates Luke's pneumatology in the historical background of Judaism and views Luke as an independent theologian who makes a unique contribution to the pneumatology of the New Testament. This work challenges traditional Protestants to reexamine the impact of Pentecost and explores the Spirit's role in equipping God's people for the unfinished task of mission. The second edition has been revised and updated throughout and includes a new foreword by Mark Allan Powell.
140 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2012
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69 people want to read
About the author
Roger Stronstad
29 books3 followersRoger Stronstad (MCS, Regent College; DD, Christian Bible College) is director and associate professor in Bible and theology at Summit Pacific College in Abbotsford, British Columbia. He is the author of many articles and six books, including The Prophethood of All Believers: A Study in Luke’s Charismatic Theology. He also coedited Life in the Spirit New Testament Commentary.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 16, 2021
This book identifies areas of continuity between the work of the spirit in the Old Testament, Luke, and Acts.
Rather than offering a biblical theology of the Holy spirit, he seeks to demonstrate a pattern of the Spirit's charismatic work.
By examining the examples of various prophets, Jesus, and his disciples, he observes that the Spirit is given not at conversion, but at once calling to ministry. The spirit equips people to witness, shown by the signs of prophecy and tongues.
The author has taken on a daunting task of trying to formulate a pattern in the varied and diverse accounts of the book of Acts. Nevertheless, he certainly sheds light on the emphases of Luke as a writer.
However, he leaves more questions unanswered than answered.
How does this specific view of the work of the Holy Spirit harmonized with the words of John and Paul, which he admits are very different? (125)
If Luke's description is of how Christ's mission is carried into new places, and not normative Christian experience, then what should be considered normative? (130)
He ends on a more balanced note, pointing out that different traditions emphasize salvation, sanctification, and service. His goal has been to emphasize service, seeing that it has been neglected by some traditions. (134)
Overall, while he succeeds in showing the importance of the Spirit for witness, service, and mission, he makes it appear that Luke does not agree with others about the Spirit's role in salvation and sanctification. Stronstad uses quite exclusive language, and I wish he would treat Luke and other biblical writers as more complementary.
I would love to see a sequel, where he builds off of his closing remarks, formulating a more integrated view of the work of the Spirit.
Rather than offering a biblical theology of the Holy spirit, he seeks to demonstrate a pattern of the Spirit's charismatic work.
By examining the examples of various prophets, Jesus, and his disciples, he observes that the Spirit is given not at conversion, but at once calling to ministry. The spirit equips people to witness, shown by the signs of prophecy and tongues.
The author has taken on a daunting task of trying to formulate a pattern in the varied and diverse accounts of the book of Acts. Nevertheless, he certainly sheds light on the emphases of Luke as a writer.
However, he leaves more questions unanswered than answered.
How does this specific view of the work of the Holy Spirit harmonized with the words of John and Paul, which he admits are very different? (125)
If Luke's description is of how Christ's mission is carried into new places, and not normative Christian experience, then what should be considered normative? (130)
He ends on a more balanced note, pointing out that different traditions emphasize salvation, sanctification, and service. His goal has been to emphasize service, seeing that it has been neglected by some traditions. (134)
Overall, while he succeeds in showing the importance of the Spirit for witness, service, and mission, he makes it appear that Luke does not agree with others about the Spirit's role in salvation and sanctification. Stronstad uses quite exclusive language, and I wish he would treat Luke and other biblical writers as more complementary.
I would love to see a sequel, where he builds off of his closing remarks, formulating a more integrated view of the work of the Spirit.
December 9, 2022
Ceci est une seconde lecture de l'édition en français.
Un bon survol des données sur le Saint Esprit dans Luc-Actes.
L'auteur défendant la thèse que Luc voit d'abord l'Esprit dans un rôle de qualification charismatique pour le service et non sous l'angle soteriologique de Paul.
Niveau plaisir de lecture c'est la traduction d'un livre tiré d'une thèse.... On est clairement pas ici pour ça.
Néanmoins c'est beaucoup moins lourd que dans mon souvenir.
Un bon survol des données sur le Saint Esprit dans Luc-Actes.
L'auteur défendant la thèse que Luc voit d'abord l'Esprit dans un rôle de qualification charismatique pour le service et non sous l'angle soteriologique de Paul.
Niveau plaisir de lecture c'est la traduction d'un livre tiré d'une thèse.... On est clairement pas ici pour ça.
Néanmoins c'est beaucoup moins lourd que dans mon souvenir.
September 28, 2022
This book was quite the ride. While I ultimately did not agree with Stronstad's theological conclusions, I thought he made some great points along the way.
On the positive side, I think he did a great job emphasizing that Acts is a part of Scripture and therefore intended to teach theology-- not just a history book, and that Luke's theological emphases and terminology differ from that of other NT authors like Paul and John. I also particularly loved his exploration of the activity of the Holy Spirit in the OT, and his analysis of how the language in Luke-Acts is designed to callback to these stories using the language of the Septuagint.
On the other hand, I think Stronstad tended to get way overconfident in his interpretations of Scripture, essentially to the point of saying that anyone who comes to a different interpretation was doing so primarily out of "theological prejudice"-- even on points where he seemed to be going against the traditional interpretation and coming to conclusions that felt really stretched to me (e.g. stating that the household of Cornelius was a "house church by any and every New Testament standard" even before Peter was sent to preach to them).
Additionally, while Stronstad did do a good job analyzing Luke's own theology, he offered nothing to reconcile Luke's teachings with the rest of Scripture. I believe it is helpful to, after following Stronstad's thorough analysis of Luke-Acts (showing the charismatic purpose of the Spirit), to then consider teachings of the Holy Spirit in the rest of the Bible (which emphasize more the salvific and sanctifying purposes), rather than building a theology solely on the teachings of Luke-Acts.
On the positive side, I think he did a great job emphasizing that Acts is a part of Scripture and therefore intended to teach theology-- not just a history book, and that Luke's theological emphases and terminology differ from that of other NT authors like Paul and John. I also particularly loved his exploration of the activity of the Holy Spirit in the OT, and his analysis of how the language in Luke-Acts is designed to callback to these stories using the language of the Septuagint.
On the other hand, I think Stronstad tended to get way overconfident in his interpretations of Scripture, essentially to the point of saying that anyone who comes to a different interpretation was doing so primarily out of "theological prejudice"-- even on points where he seemed to be going against the traditional interpretation and coming to conclusions that felt really stretched to me (e.g. stating that the household of Cornelius was a "house church by any and every New Testament standard" even before Peter was sent to preach to them).
Additionally, while Stronstad did do a good job analyzing Luke's own theology, he offered nothing to reconcile Luke's teachings with the rest of Scripture. I believe it is helpful to, after following Stronstad's thorough analysis of Luke-Acts (showing the charismatic purpose of the Spirit), to then consider teachings of the Holy Spirit in the rest of the Bible (which emphasize more the salvific and sanctifying purposes), rather than building a theology solely on the teachings of Luke-Acts.
February 21, 2017
Follow me on twitter @rrfigg to see my highlighted quotes of the book chapter by chapter. Excellent reading if you believe in the power of the Holy Ghost! This does not talk about the Pauline theology of the Spirit but as the titles suggests its Lukan historicity and theology of the HolySpirit in Luke/Acts
May 24, 2023
When you enjoy a required textbook for a seminary class, you cannot shut up about it. Roger Stronstad blew me away with his staunch defense of the activity of the Holy Spirit in Luke and Acts and makes a passionate argument for his activity in the church today. Whether Charismatic or anti-Charismatic, I think it will do to hear him out. Great resource.
April 18, 2021
a very good book that goes in depth about how luke speaks about the Holy Spirit in Luke-Acts! he compares it to the Holy Spirit in the OT as well as described by Paul! a good read, but certainly over my head at times.
December 4, 2016
I read this book over the summer and then ended up reading Craig Keener's book, Gift Giver: The Holy Spirit for Today. I came back to this book after reading Keener's book and realized I enjoyed the Keener book more. Thus, I am revising my rating on this book. Keener's book focused more on where Pentecostals have unity on issues of the Spirit, and the unity Keener brings to the table overrides my interest in the theology Stronstad states about baptism of the Spirit.
November 21, 2013
Awesome book, every Pentecostal should have in their library.
November 30, 2013
Excellent book and scholarly done.
May 1, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews