The Theology of St. Luke - Essay Example

The theology of St. Luke To start with, the theology of St. Luke can be found out by looking at the different lines that are there with respect to the evidence which is present. As we know that a Gospel basically lacks the rational sequence of propositional sentences which are pretty much a significant trait of the missives thus a lot of attention to detail is made necessary on the part of assessing and eventually analyzing the evidence which has been reached upon formerly in a precise manner nonetheless. The theology of St. Luke needs to be understood from quite a number of different angles, one such being the narrative stance that outlines the structure thus built on the descriptive saga1. The other significant features include the proper usage of vocabulary, context, the geographical backdrop and the historical settings. We delve into each one of these here. The study of Luke’s theology has been seen in quite an interesting manner over a period of considerable time and one can easily manifest the energy and dynamism attached with it. However there have been a number of treatises which have been made with regards to Luke and one such is the work, though done in a creative fashion by Conzelmann. There has been a lot of discussion related with the purpose of writing down the Gospel and the Acts as well as the extent and importance of the editing that has been made with the passage of some time2. The historical reliability lies solely on the shoulders of the author and the theological tendencies are something to be spoken about in a free and fair manner. Conzelmann makes this as a point whereby the statement is made in relation to Luke’s purpose which was nothing but to ensure the salvation of historical times is made in a sequential yet tactful manner. Add to that, Marshall analyzes this in the light of a similar feeling where the notion is related with the salvation in its own right indeed. Some have suggested that there is an apologetic tone attached with the very same while there are others who attach a theological motive with it. The apologetic motive is made in the form of the defense of Christianity for either a single reason or for another purpose altogether while on the other hand the theological motive is somewhat related with the identity of God’s people. Therefore an evaluation of Luke’s work in terms of whether or not the same serves a specified purpose largely depends on the rationale that is made on a person’s assessment where different matters are kept in close check nonetheless. All of these form up to result in the evaluation process in entirety and cannot be denied their due roles. Fitzmyer has though warned one and all concerning Luke’s interpretation of theological basis with a person’s coming to terms of the thesis that Luke has made for his own self and this thesis is nothing short of a comment which is related with a number of different contributions that are made on the relevant subject. All said and done, the credibility factor is something that needs to be understood from Luke’s perspective. The narrative basis of the theology of St. Luke defines the narrative angles which in essence make sure on the part of a reader to look at the different factors which play their due role at contributing towards the guarantees which are in line with the truth of the Christian Gospel. We find out that with the incorporation of the birth narrative in the theology of St. Luke, there is a sense of direction which forces us to a peculiar theme, one that relates itself closely with the messiahship and sonship of Jesus. Furthermore, with the usage bent upon the chiastic structure in Zechariah’s Benedictus, the attention for the better part has been on the middle theme and not to forget the ones which are on a reiterating curve all the same3. With the induction of a couple of witnesses namely Anna and Simeon, the care has been provided to the attention seeking aspect on the part of the reader, since two witnesses have always been a must in relation with the accepted pattern or norm. This attention has been focused entirely on the identification of the baby as being the Messiah which had long been promised. As concerns to the narratives of Jesus’ ministry, there are some instances which can easily come under the focus aspect of the theological themes all this while. They provide some sort of talking point to one and all and in all essence; this is something that needs to be understood in the proper contexts of the narratives itself. The most glaring of omissions has been in the case of Mark’s narrative of 6:45-8:26 where Luke has been shown to be moving in a quick manner from the stilling of the storm and thus the climactic query has been raised here which asks Who is this? and thus adds for a little silence in some incidents which are indicative of the messianic importance. This significance is all the more enticing to note since the question comes as a counter one where Herod asks Who, then, is this? but with that another query has been made, though in a bewildered manner on the part of Caesarea Philippi Who do you say I am? The whole discussion and questioning becomes interesting and the narrative make up of the same is something that can be read in between the lines. Coming to the vocabulary part under the evidence heading, we find out that there is a complete care mode which has been incorporated in the theology of St. Luke as concerns to word frequency, the observation which is related with the very same, provision of imperative evidence with regards to the theological emphasis and more so when the inner focus has been on the comparison which has been raised in relation to the other Gospels. With that, we find out that the relative frequency of words that can include “salvation”, “today”, “God” and many others add up to the assessment that has been made in relation with the theology of St. Luke. The words are placed in a group which has semantic fields that closely tie in with the issues of poverty and wealth for that matter but a number of other topics are also inclusive here as well. “Today” alone has been used in quite a number of instances where the frequency is apparent in Luke 2:11; 4:21; 5:26; 12:28; 13:32, 33; 19:5, 9; 22:34, 61; 23:43 and in addition to the nine other instances found in the Acts as well. In the Context, we look at the converging lines that were pretty much clear in the Evidence. We need to understand the fact that when several significant words are in unison with each other and these on more accounts than one form a part of a single passage then the theological importance is increased to a level that can be remarked as being of the highest order. This importance in terms of theology could be really decisive if there is an imperative moment within the narrative as such and the reader starts feeling encouraged with the major theological statements which are made in the passage as a result. A similar example is that of Jesus’ dialogue with Zacchaeus which can suggest a thing or two about the whole notion. The Context also makes sure that the events are highlighted upon which are of significance such as the one that happens at the start of the Jesus’ ministry where he is seen teaching the Nazareth synagogue4. The usage of Isaiah 61 is a case in point where the importance is tied with the jubilee subject and which is an important aspect of the theological basis that we are talking about. The Geographical and Historical background of the Evidence are very significant in the whole setting since there are other indications which are also apparent as seen in Luke’s emphasis towards the very features. Thus, Luke has made sure for setting the things (or events) in a set pattern so as to account for the human history. The descriptions which have been provided by him in relation with Jesus’ orientation to Jerusalem from Luke 9:51 give a thing or two about the finer points which are in line with the aspects of resurrection, ascension and lastly the passion. Every aspect of the Gospel says something very crucial for the investigation which is in the related ranks of the historical information of theology. The same is set on a historical setting and makes for an interesting read nonetheless. The theological themes that we need to touch upon here include the Christology, Soteriology, Glory, Doxology, The Holy Spirit, Prayer, The Power of God, Sense of Destiny which includes the sub parts of prophecy and fulfillment, Eschatology, the role of Israel in the whole equation and the people of God, the Word of God, Discipleship and Poverty and Wealth. As for Christology, we find out that just like other Gospels, Jesus is perceived as the Messiah and one who is remarked as the Son of God. This revelation has been made on the part of the angel sent down from God. The Luke also makes sure that the representation of Jesus is made down in the form of a prophet as he is constantly brought to light in comparisons with John the Baptist who is seen in the whole related context as a prophetic figure to say the least. Luke has thus made sure that the prophetic role of him is mentioned at 4:24-27 and 13:33. The theological theme of Soteriology comes up with the basis of Luke’s emphasis towards the need and the eventual provision of salvation in the truest sense of the word5. The focus in the Gospel has been made on the cross courtesy the predictions that have been made in the name of passion which is so much like Matthew and Luke and not to forget the sayings as made apparent through the Last Supper. In the same vein, the cross is seen as God’s will in the book of Acts and this is due to the sinful ways of the people for that matter. The theme of Glory is felt very strongly in Luke. There has been a particular focus on the success which is related with resurrection and not to forget in the declaration that has been made in the justification of Jesus. The same is apparent in the Acts at 2:24; 3:15; 4:10; 10:39-42; 13:26-37; 17:31. The ascension is emphasized in the middle of the Gospel as well as in the middle of Luke 24 and Acts 1. The theology of Doxology finds glory within it and the incorporation is practically expressible in the reiterating ascriptions related with glory towards God. These ascriptions are pretty much evident in the times of the birth of Christ as well as at times when healing was regarded as an important event. The Holy Spirit within the Luke is right from the starting and is in a prominent manner nevertheless. It is focused courtesy the conception of Jesus by the overshadowing of the Spirit where the same was sent down upon him by the ministry. This was promised by a prayer made and the answer was in the form of the Holy Spirit. For this matter, the book of Acts has clear manifestations of the Holy Spirit at all times possible. Prayer is a very definitive theme and especially when the crisis moments are aplenty in the life of Jesus. The Prayer is also made sure of its presence in the earlier days of the Church itself. The Power of God is something that runs entirely through the book of Acts and Luke has recorded the same in the form of words like dynamis. Similarly, the Word of God is a very significant theme in Luke’s writings which is recognized in a general sense more than anything else. BIBLIOGRAPHY Barnett, C K. Luke the Historian in Recent Study. Buswell, Geoffrey. The Theology of St. Luke. Harper & Row, 1961 Cadbury, Henry J. The Making of Luke-Acts. Macmillan, 1927 Ormerod, Neil. System, History and a Theology of Ministry. Theological Studies Vol. 61, 2000 Balthasar, Hans Urs Von. A Theology of History. Sheed & Ward, 1963 Word Count: 2,017 Read More