This introduction to the interpretation of Luke encourages in-depth study of the text, and genuine grappling with the theological and historical questions raised, by providing a critical assessment of key interpreters and interpretative debates. It draws on a range of methodological approaches (author-, text- and reader-centred), as complementary rather than mutually exclusive ways of understanding the text. It also reflects the growing scholarly attention to the reception history of biblical texts, increasingly viewed as a vital aspect of interpretation rather than an optional extra.

Provisional Contents:

Introduction - Brief overview, summarizing the broad structure and contents of the Gospel, and its distinctive characteristics.

Strategies for Reading - An introduction to main interpretative approaches. Particular attention will be given to the premises and presuppositions that undergird each reading.

The World of Luke: Locating the Text Historically and Socially - Immerses the reader in the ideological, political, and economic context.

Conclusions: Interpreting Luke Today - A review of key issues raised by the Gospel in its original context, and by subsequent readings and interpretations. As with other volumes in this series, this chapter will also attempt to plot questions for ongoing study.