Bibliography
| Title: The plan of God in Luke-Acts Secondary Title: MSSNTS 76 Type: Generic Year: 1988 Abstract: "Luke refers to the plan of God six times in Luke-Acts, indicating a theme which plays a central role throughout both volumes of his work. The dissertation explores the scope, background and function of this theme in Luke-Acts. The method adopted has two major components: a comparative analysis of the theme of divine providence as it appears in works of the same general period and genre of Luke-Acts; and an exegetical analysis of Luke-Acts in the light of features discerned from the comparative analysis. The three major works involved in this comparison are the hellenistic histories of Diodorus Siculus, Dionysius of Halicarnassus of Flavius Josephus. The dissertation is organized thematically. In addition to the primary strand of divine providence, a cluster of associated strands which relate to this primary topic are explored, namely portents, epiphanies, prophecies, and declarations of divine necessity. Evidence for these themes and their relation to providence is adduced from the comparative material. In each case, the main emphasis of the exegetical analysis is placed on the way these themes relate to, and strengthen the role of, the primary theme of the plan of God in Luke-Acts. The philosophical background of the theme is considered to be of importance, thus requiring exploration, where appropriate, of hellenistic philosophical discussions of providence and associated themes. The use of philosophical arguments in the hellenistic histories and in Luke-Acts is also considered. The later Christian engagement with such philosophical issues illuminates Luke-Acts insofar as some of the apologetic methods found in later writers are also evident in Luke-Acts. The apologetic function of the plan of God in Luke's writing is thus a basic concern of the dissertation. The basic thesis is that Luke uses this theme to undergird the whole of his story of Jesus and the early church, confirming the faith of his readers, encouraging them to bear witness to that faith, and enabling them to defend their beliefs in the face of objections and opposition." Keywords: New Testament / Early Christianity |