A Light to the Centurions: Reading Luke-Acts in the Empire (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9781532656545)

In this book, Robert Beck proposes to read Luke-Acts from the perspective of its implied reader. In making this reader a gentile sympathetic to Judaism, like the "God-fearing" centurions inscribed in his text, Luke reverses the empire-critical narrative perspectives of Mark and Matthew. And yet he profoundly challenges imperial cultural values. Luke launches his double narrative with Jesus' proclamation in the Nazareth synagogue. In lieu of the tradition of Ezra with its safeguarding customs, this programmatic announcement promises a path to the gentiles in the tradition of Third Isaiah, with both its releases and its risks. Luke shows a way for the outsider to enter into the traditions of Israel, and not replace them. This reading regards the full narrative sweep of Luke's double work. It yields a fresh look at his Gospel, as well as the largely neglected narrative structure of Acts.

Author: Robert R. Beck
ISBN-10: 1532656548
ISBN-13: 9781532656545
Publisher: Wipf & Stock Publishers
Language: English
Published: 05/23/2019
Pages: 222
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.03lbs
Size: 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.56d