Luke and Scripture: The Function of Sacred Tradition in Luke-Acts

by Craig A. Evans

This is a fascinating, lucidly presented work offering fresh insights into a number of key passages in the Gospel and showing the fruitfulness of examining Luke's usage in the light of Judaism. Whatever their level of expertise, students of Luke and of the use of Scripture in Scripture will find useful and challenging material in this comprehensive volume. I. Howard Marshall, King's College Luke and Scripture is an important contribution to the study of comparative midrash and the role and function of authoritative, sacred tradition in the life of the early Christian community. This book sharpens the definition of midrash criticism in relation to other methods both in theory and practice and in the process sheds further light on Luke's understanding of Jesus, the origin of early Christianity, and his own experience in terms of Israel's sacred tradition and institutions. Mikeal C. Parsons, Baylor University

Genres: Biblical Studies, Theology

264 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Craig A. Evans (PhD, Claremont Graduate University) is Payzant Distinguished Professor of New Testament at Acadia Divinity College in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. He is a frequent contributor to scholarly journals and the author or editor of numerous publications.

Reviews

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

With this collection of essays, written by the Craig A. Evans and James A. Sanders, respectively, places the gospel of Luke in trenchant conversation with the OT as well as Jewish tradition. While there are points to quibble over, this serious exploration of Luke's relationship to the OT and Jewish thought is essential reading for any serious student of Luke. As an example, they show throughout that Luke's gospel was in no way antisemitic since the issue with the Jewish people rejecting Jesus wasn't ethnic but rather Christology, i.e., a rejection of Christ and the interpretation of the OT and Jewish tradition by the same.