Dynamic Reading Of The Holy Spirit In Luke Acts

Judging by the number of references to Holy Ghost in Luke's gospel and Acts, it is no wonder that Luke is designated as the “enthusiast in/for the Spirit” or that the Acts of the Apostles is called “the Acts of the Holy Spirit.” The Holy Spirit has also been one of the most constantly debated subjects among the many issues concerning Luke and/or Acts. This study will re-visit the topic of the Holy Spirit in Luke-Acts through a new perspective. Part of this volume discusses three contemporary understandings of Lukan pneumatology; that of J. D. G. Dunn, R. P. Menzies and M. M. B. Turner. These reflect three different positions in regard to this subject.

A Dynamic Reading of the Holy Spirit in Revelation attempts to read the book of Revelation in a new way as a narrative, embracing literary elements such as plot, point of view, narrative voice, character, and story structure to help readers discover its meanings by tracing the story anew. Lee's unique narrative perspective offers readers a bird's-eye view to experience four levels of the story: heaven, earth, abyss, and the lake of fire. Lee develops a theological account of John's pneumatology and surely extends Christian pneumatology, a doctrine inseparable from the life of the church. Readers will come away with a greater understanding of the role of the Holy Spirit, which will enable them to enjoy a deeper fellowship with the Holy Spirit more intimately than ever before. Lee portrays the book of Revelation as a mission-oriented book that tells how the kingdom of God will be built in this world through spiritual warfare, rather than as a book of eschatology. Lee's book will serve as a spiritual wake-up call to the modern church and the people of God in its accurate portrayal of the Holy Spirit and vivid description of spiritual warfare.

"Odette Mainville's...book, The Spirit in Luke-Acts, is a most careful, enlightening, and fresh interpretation of the Holy Spirit's Role in Luke and Acts, from the surprising starting point of a single verse, Acts 2:33...I wholeheartedly endorse this book...." -William S. Kurz, S.J., Emeritus Professor of New Testament, Marquette University "...As someone who has devoted a whole book to a theological exposition of Acts 2:33, I regard this as a most worthwhile endeavor. What emerges is a work that engages fully with the Spirit's vitality in the life of Jesus and in the mission of the church...." -William P. Atkinson, PhD, Senior Lecturer, London School of Theology "...I warmly recommend this insightful reading of Luke-Acts to you. It is filled with interesting exegesis and challenging observations....I trust that you will find this book as enjoyable, enriching, and edifying as I did." -Robert P. Menzies, PhD, Missionary-Scholar (China), from the foreword "Mainville's...work...integrates the central theme in Luke-Acts, in a way that traditional systematic theology does not, viz, Jesus's experiences with the Spirit toward the end of creating a 'community of prophets'..." -Jon Mark Ruthven, PhD, Professor Emeritus, Regent University School of Divinity "...Using a redactional and literary approach, Mainville demonstrates that the role of the Holy Spirit is not to be relegated to a mere appendage of Pauline soteriology..." -James B Shelton, PhD, Professor of New Testament, Oral Roberts University Mainville's work is helpful both for its engagement with traditional approaches and for its fresh contributions and insights....This is surely a welcome study." -Craig S. Keener, PhD, Professor of Biblical Studies, Asbury Theological Seminary

This second edition of Jesus and the Gospels prepares readers for an intensive study of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and the events they narrate. Craig Blomberg considers the historical context of the Gospels and sheds light on the confusing interpretations brought forth over the last two centuries. The original 1997 book won a Gold Medallion Award from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association, and this updated version, factoring in new scholarship, debate, critical methods, and the ongoing quest of the historical Jesus, ensures the work will remain a top tool for exploring the life of Christ through the first four books of the New Testament.

The baptism with the Spirit and fire has been a major area of study by theologians and has been pursued by the historical church seeking God’s holiness and power; yet its relationship to judgment has often been ignored. This book explores the Holy Spirit’s relationship with judgment in Luke-Acts through seven texts: Luke 3:16–17; 12:8–10; Acts 5:1–11; 7:51; 8:18–23; 13:9–11; 28:25–28. In these texts, the Holy Spirit is connected with fire, unforgiveness, deception, resistance, greed, blindness, or condemnation. In each instance, Luke’s presentation is examined to determine the Spirit’s role in the process of judgment. Through the Spirit, Jesus judges, cleanses, purges, and divides his people from the world. Luke portrays the Spirit as the executive power of Jesus’ reign as judge, exposing, opposing, and condemning those who reject the gospel.

The Holy Spirit, being given as a gift in the opening chapters of Acts, initiates and sustains the early Jesus community, empowering their teaching, unity, meals, sharing of possessions and worship.

Using various narrative approaches and methodologies, an international team of forty-four Johannine scholars here offers probing essays related to individual characters and group characters in the Gospel of John. These essays present fresh perspectives on characters who play a major role in the Gospel (Peter, Nicodemus, the Samaritan woman, Thomas, and many others), but they also examine characters who have never before been the focus of narrative analysis (the men of the Samaritan woman, the boy with the loaves and fishes, Barabbas, and more). Taken together, the essays shed new light on how complex and nuanced many of these characters are, even as they stand in the shadow of Jesus. Readers of this volume will be challenged to consider the Gospel of John anew.

V. George Shillington introduces readers to the text, texture and context of Luke-Acts in this tried and tested introduction, now in its second edition. Using various approaches currently practiced by biblical scholars Shillington outlines the methods of biblical interpretation and then shows how they might be applied to the texts in question. Through historical criticism Shillington looks at and explains questions of authorship, the time and setting of the composition, sources and historical background. Taking a social-science approach he examines the society and culture of the time. Literary readings include narrative, socio-rhetorical, and audience-response approaches, while a theological reading asks how the literary texture and themes of Luke-Acts shape the convictions of Christian communities, past and present. Incorporating modern approaches in the field, Shillington looks at postcolonial and feminist criticism and how they have changed our understanding of these books. Each chapter concludes with a list of further relevant resources, and pertinent review questions. The text is accompanied by charts and diagrams to illustrate key points of language and structure.