The Speeches of Outsiders in Acts
Poetics, Theology and Historiography

Concentrates on the direct speeches of outsiders in Acts, and provides an insightful approach to Luke's theology and historiography.

Osvaldo Padilla (Author)

9780521175326, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 3 March 2011

284 pages
21.6 x 14 x 1.6 cm, 0.36 kg

Review of the hardback: 'Padilla has identified a critical gap in past scholarship and has made important strides in determining the function of the speeches of outsiders in Acts and the rhetorical impact of these speeches on the Lukan community. This volume is engaging, well-researched, and well-written. Padilla has made a significant offering to scholarship on the book of Acts.' Review of Biblical Literature

How does Luke's portrait of the outsider help in exploring the theology and historiography of Acts? Previous studies of the author and his work have concentrated on the speeches given by insiders - members of the early Christian church - but until now the speeches of the outsiders have been marginalised by scholars in the field. Osvaldo Padilla takes an intriguing approach by concentrating on the direct speech of such figures, arguing that the portrayal of outsiders to a religious movement should not be neglected when considering the author's viewpoint. By exploring the place of outsiders in Old Testament and Second Temple literature, then offering comparisons with the depictions found in Acts, Padilla provides an insightful take on the subject that will prove invaluable to scholars and students of biblical and early Christian studies.

Introduction
1. The current state of research on the speeches of Acts
2. The speeches of outsiders in selected biblical and Second Temple narrative
3. The Gamaliel speech
4. The speech of Gallio
5. The speeches of Demetrius and the Ephesian town clerk
6. The speeches of Claudius Lysias, Tertullus, and Festus
Conclusions.

Subject Areas: New Testaments [HRCF2]