The Social World of Luke-Acts: Models for Interpretation Review

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(More customer reviews)I first became aware of THE SOCIAL WORLD OF LUKE ACTS when I was studying scripture, but purchased it when I conducted a Bible Study based on Luke's Gospel knowing it would be an important addition to my collection of books. Since that time I've referred to it on many occasions because while it's written for a serious student or scholar, many of the articles put a human face on scripture study which by nature easily finds a way into pastoral ministry.
This volume is a collection of articles by scholars such as Jerome Neyrey, Bruce Malina, Douglas Oakman and Richard Rohrbaugh, to name a few, names well known in New Testament studies. The articles themselves focus primarily on the social science aspects of Luke and Acts. The articles illustrate different aspects of the social world of the author of Luke Acts which help us understand the role the Gospel played in that context and helps us place it in our day and age. Some of the articles I have found most helpful are Oakman's article on the country side in Luke Acts, Neyrey's article on meals in Luke's Gospel and his writings about the ancient world's understanding of personality. The articles fill a void in the basic historical-critical methods still very much in the forefront of scripture study but can often become somewhat dry and devoid of humanity. Though the articles focus on issues that arise in Luke-Acts, many of the articles can help in understanding the whole of the New Testament.
While the book could be used by anyone interested in a more in depth look at Luke and Acts, it's not a book that easily leads to spirituality or prayer as some books on scripture do. It is a well written book but one that is meant for more serious study and scholarly work and would be ideal for anyone conducting scripture study and adult education classes. It would also be helpful for preachers who are looking for something different fro a Sunday morning or churches involved in social justice ministries.

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"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, U.C.L.A."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

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