Acts and the Isaianic New Exodus

by David W. Pao

David Pao's richly detailed and persuasive analysis admirably demonstrates the centrality of Isaianic new exodus themes for the soteriology and ecclesiology of Acts, and thereby also illuminates, in an original manner, other important themes in Luke's work. --Max Turner, London School of Theology Enriches and enlivens every thoughtful reading of Acts. No one who teaches or preaches through Acts will want to be without this volume. --D. A. Carson, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School Contemporary scholarship increasingly recognizes the importance of the Old Testament in the New. Earlier scholars established the significance of Isaiah's theme of the new exodus for the early Christians; now David Pao argues for its central role in Acts and helps us to read Luke's work from a fresh angle. --I. Howard Marshall, University of Aberdeen Pao moves the conversation forward in a welcome way by highlighting the pervasiveness of the Scriptures' influence on Luke's narrative, emphasizing Luke's deployment of the Scriptures in the service of ecclesiology and demonstrating how Luke has appropriated the scriptural tradition in profoundly constructive ways. --Joel B. Green, Fuller Theological Seminary Persuasively shows the wide and deep influence of the Isaianic new exodus motif on Luke's presentation of the early church and the purposes of God in Acts. This careful and detailed work deserves to be read widely. I commend it most warmly to all who wish to increase their understanding of Acts. --Steve Walton, London School of Theology The book is a valuable contribution to a comprehensive biblical theology of the Old and New Testaments and to a better evaluation of Luke as a theologian of salvation history. --Martin Hengel, University of Tubingen The most incisive, most complete, and most convincing demonstration of the formative influence of Isaiah upon the authors of Luke-Acts. -- David P. Moessner, Texas Christian University

Genres: Biblical Studies

322 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 2000

Reviews

[Dominic Venuso · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're teaching Acts, at least read a summary and skim the flow of this book. His argument that Isa 40 is key to the story of the book is right and helpful. Once the idea is on your radar, if you have familiarity with Isaiah's New Exodus, you will uncover many of the connections yourself as you read.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent study of the links between Luke's writings and the New Exodus of Isaiah

[David Couch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pao makes a big thing out of the ‘Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, end of the earth’ agenda as being more than simply geographical. Instead, he says, we should also see them as theological. He contends that each one aligns with the New Exodus laid out in Isaiah 40-55. This gives explanatory power to a number of confusing passages.

His connection of ‘the way’ in Acts back to Isaiah 40 was very interesting and makes a lot of sense.

His final chapter seems somewhat incomplete, and could have benefited from some reference to Deuteronomy. He focuses mainly on Isaiah, and overlooks the influence of Deuteronomy on Isaiah’s writing. This would have provided a stronger framework for his conclusions, in my opinion.

Overall though, a stimulating and interesting read!

[Timothy Decker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seminal work! A must read for all those studying Acts!