History, Literature, and Society in the Book of Acts

An interdisciplinary study of Acts by leading Old and New Testament and ancient history scholars.

Ben Witherington, III (Edited by)

9780521046282, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 12 November 2007

396 pages
21.5 x 14 x 2.1 cm, 0.524 kg

"No student of Acts should overlook these essays, which contribute much to the study of Acts." Edgar Krentz, Currents

These seminal essays introduce the reader to the interdisciplinary approach of New Testament scholarship which is affecting the way the Book of Acts is studied and interpreted. Insights from the social sciences, narratological studies, Greek and Roman rhetoric and history, and classics, set the Acts of the Apostles in its original historical, literary and social context; these methods of interpretation have not always been applied to biblical study in a systematic way. The discussions from a shared general perspective range over genre and method, historical and theological problems, and issues of literary criticism. History, Literature and Society in the Book of Acts is an interesting and valuable overview of some of the chief preoccupations of biblical studies with contributions from leading scholars in the Old and New Testaments and the history of antiquity.

Preface
Part I. Issues of Genre and Historical Method: 1. In the shadow of Thucydides W. J. McCoy
2. How history should be written C. K. Barrett
3. The Acts of the Apostles: monograph or bios? Charles H. Talbert
4. The preface to Acts and the historians Loveday C. A. Alexander
5. The future of the past: Luke's vision of salvation history and its bearing on his writing of history Jacob Jervell
Part II. Historical and Theological Difficulties in Acts: 6. Acts 6.1–8.4: division or diversity? Craig C. Hill
7. James and the Gentiles (Acts 15.13–21) Richard Bauckham
8. Kerygmatic summaries in the speeches of Acts Richard Bauckham
9. The 'script' of the Scriptures in Acts: suffering as God's 'plan' for the world for the 'release of sins' David P. Moessner
10. Luke's social location of Paul: cultural anthropology and the status of Paul in Acts Jerome H. Neyrey
Part III. Issues of Literary Criticism: 11. Internal repetition in Luke-Acts: contemporary narratology and Lukan historiography Joel B. Green
12. Luke's characterising use of the Old Testament in the Book of Acts Bill T. Arnold
13. Editing the Good News: some synoptic lessons for the study of Acts Ben Witherington, III
14. The means of absent ends Wm. F. Brosend, II
Index of biblical references.

Subject Areas: Biblical studies & exegesis [HRCG]