Topic 6 Luke: Jesus as Savior for Whole World

1
Topic 6 Luke Jesus as Savior for Whole
World

• Circumstances of origin
• Authorship
• Anonymous (like all the gospels).
• Same author for Luke and Acts (cf. Lk. 11-4 Ac.
  11-2).
• Tradition Luke the beloved physician.
• Date 75-90.
• Place Aegean region?
• Purpose To commend the gospel to Gentiles.

2

• Key themes in Luke
• Delay of the Parousia
• Salvation-history
• Three Periods of Salvation-History
• (H. Conzelmann, Theology of St. Luke Center of
  Time)
• Period of Israel (Creation to John the Baptist)
  preparation
• Period of Jesus (Baptism to Ascension)
  salvation (1616)
• Period of Church (Pentecost to Parousia)
  mission
• Apostles (Acts 121-22) those who walked with
  Jesus now bear witness
• Holy Spirit empowered Jesus now empowers
  church
• Good news for the poor (152-53 418-19
  620-26)
• Emphasizes social and economic dimensions of
  gospel.
• Reversal of fortunes oppressed poor lifted up
  rich oppressors brought low.

3

• Key themes in Luke (cont.)
• Gods mercy for sinners and outcasts
• Forgiveness of sinners who repent (Lk. 15
  2447).
• Inclusion of outsiders
• Sinners prostitutes and tax collectors (736-50
  191-10).
• Poor (722 1412-14).
• Women (82-3 1038-42 2327-28).
• Samaritans (951-56 1030-37 1711-19 Acts
  84-25).
• Gentiles (71-10 Acts 1034-35 1118).
• Universality of the gospel
• Genealogy (323-38) descent from Adam
• Commission (2447 Acts 18)
• Conduct of Christian life
• Prayer (111-13 181-8)
• Humility (147-11 189-14)
• Love (1025-37)
• Danger of riches (1213-21 1412-14 1619-31)
• Defense of Christianity against Roman suspicion
  (234, 14, 22 Acts 1639 179 etc.)

4

• Outline of Luke
• 3 main sections Galilee Journey Jerusalem
• 11-413 Introduction
• Preface (11-4)
• Similar to preface in Greek literature.
• Explains methodology and purpose of book.
• Dedicates book to Theophilus friend of God
  (symbolic of God-fearers?)
• Birth narrative (15-252) role of Mary birth
  of John trip to Bethlehem for census birth in
  stable announcement to shepherds
• Baptism, genealogy (back to Adam), temptation
  (31-413)
• 414-950 Galilee Ministry
• Rejection in Nazareth (416-30)
• Luke moves story forward as keynote (cf. Mk. 6).
• Jesus reads Isa. 611-2 and announces its
  fulfillmenttime for good news to poor,
  liberation of oppressed, etc. has arrived.
• Rejection at home foreshadows theme of Jewish
  rejection and Gentile acceptance of gospel.

5

• 414-950 Galilee Ministry (cont.)
• Lesser interpolation (620-83) Block of
  mostly Q material no Mk.
• Sermon on the Plain (617-49)
• Beatitudes (v. 20-26) addressed to literal
  poor, needy
• Woes warning to rich, satisfied reversal of
  fortunes
• Healing a centurions servant (71-10)
• Centurion is Gentile God-fearer.
• The Gentiles faith is commended.
• Anointing by a sinful woman (736-50)
• Snubbed by a Pharisee lavishly honored by a
  sinner.
• Parable of Two Debtors Those forgiven the most
  have the most gratitude.
• Women in Jesus ministry (81-3)
• (After 83, Lk. follows Mk. again.)

6

• 951-1927 Journey to Jerusalem
• Longer interpolation (951-1814) Block of Q
  and L material no Mk.
• Mission of the 70 (101-20) Symbolizes Gentile
  mission.
• Parable of Good Samaritan (1025-37)
• Who is my neighbor?
• Love of neighbor transcends racial/social
  barriers enemy is also a neighbor.
• Mary and Martha (1038-42)
• Sayings on prayer (111-13) Lords Prayer (v.
  1-4)
• Parable of the Rich Fool (1213-21)
• Hoards excess crops instead of sharing with
  needy.
• Danger of trusting in riches.
• Parable of the Great Banquet (1415-24)
• Original invitees refuse to come.
• The poor, maimed, lame, and blind are invited
  and still others.
• Inclusiveness of Gods kingdom.

7

• 951-1927 Journey to Jerusalem (cont.)
• Parables of Lost Sheep, Lost Coin, and Prodigal
  Son (ch. 15) Gods joyful acceptance of
  sinners who repent
• Lost Sheep (Lk.) Friends rejoice with shepherd
  (Gods joy).
• Lost Coin Neighbors rejoice with woman (like
  angels).
• Prodigal Son longest parable
• Father illustrates Gods joy over sinners who
  repent.
• Older brother depicts the Pharisees grumbling.
• Parable of Rich Man and Lazarus (1619-31)
• Rich man neglects dire need of poor Lazarus.
• After death, their fortunes are reversed.
• Danger of not using resources to help the needy.
• Healing of ten lepers (1711-19)
• Only the Samaritan gives thanks.
• Parable of Pharisee and Tax Collector (189-14)
• Pharisee "God, I thank you that I am not like
  other people"
• Tax collector God be merciful to me, a sinner.
• God accepts the humble, not the boastful.

8

• 1928-2453 Jerusalem Ministry
• Resurrection appearances in Jerusalem (ch. 24)
• Two disciples on road to Emmaus
• Eleven disciples in Jerusalem
• Commissioning (v. 47)
• Ascension (only in Luke-Acts)
• All on Easter Sunday