Luke - (Paideia: Commentaries on the New Testament) by Mikeal C Parsons (Paperback)

About the Book

In this addition to a well-received series, a leading scholar on Luke and Acts examines cultural context and theological meaning in Luke.

Book Synopsis

Mikeal Parsons, a leading scholar on Luke and Acts, examines cultural context and theological meaning in Luke in this addition to the well-received Paideia series. This commentary, like each in the projected eighteen-volume series, proceeds by sense units rather than word-by-word or verse-by-verse. Paideia commentaries explore how New Testament texts form Christian readers by attending to the ancient narrative and rhetorical strategies the text employs, showing how the text shapes theological convictions and moral habits, and making judicious use of maps, photos, and sidebars in a reader-friendly format.

From the Back Cover

Paideia: Critically Acclaimed Commentaries from Today's Top Scholars

"With this outstanding commentary on the Gospel of Luke, Paideia: Commentaries on the New Testament adds another stellar volume. This lucid, concise commentary displays the distinctive strengths that Mikeal Parsons has brought to a distinguished career as scholar and author. With a keen eye for the literary artistry of Luke's narrative, impressive knowledge of Luke's cultural environment, and an ear carefully tuned to the rhetorical design and impact of this Gospel, Parsons provides a reliable guide for readers of Luke. I am pleased to give this book my enthusiastic endorsement."
--John T. Carroll, Union Presbyterian Seminary, Richmond, Virginia

"Since his groundbreaking Departure of Jesus in Luke-Acts in 1987, Mikeal Parsons has been a leading voice in Lukan studies, and this outstanding Paideia commentary marks his latest important contribution to the field. Rich with illustrations and informative sidebars, this text not only explores the first-century literary, rhetorical, historical, cultural, and theological contexts of the Lukan narrative but also carefully interprets the final form of Luke section by section and distills critical theological issues raised by the Lukan text. No one is better suited than Parsons for the task of creating such a multifaceted commentary on the Gospel of Luke, and he delivers an innovative and helpful work--brilliant yet succinct and accessible."
--David B. Gowler, Oxford College of Emory University

"Parsons deftly navigates through Luke's Gospel, attending to its rhetoric, theology, historical context, and interpretive history. His rich engagement with the text itself makes this companion volume to his Acts Paideia commentary a welcome read."
--Brittany E. Wilson, Duke University Divinity School

"Parsons's Paidea commentary on Luke adds to the growing appreciation of the literary and rhetorical environment in which the Gospels were written. Working with a rich understanding of ancient literature and rhetorical education, Parsons leads the modern interpreter to a richer appreciation for the context of this Gospel. This will certainly be an important volume for readers of both Luke and the Gospels in general."
--Mark A. Matson, Milligan College

"Filled with rich interdisciplinary and intertextual insights, Luke is vintage Parsons: tersely brilliant."
--David P. Moessner, Texas Christian University

Review Quotes

"Parsons is doing creative work and this work should not be ignored by his fellow scholars."--Robert C. Tannehill, Methodist Theological School in Ohio, in Review of Biblical Literature (July 21, 2007)"

"Parsons offers the seminary student or advanced undergraduate a detailed introduction to Luke as author within three ancient contexts: pagan, Jewish, and emerging Christian."--Kindalee P. DeLong, Pepperdine University, Religious Studies Review (34:4)

"Parsons' incisive and challenging interpretations should move the field of Lucan studies forward on several important fronts, notably in terms of method and theology. This book will make an excellent addition to required reading lists for graduate courses on Luke and Acts."--John A. Darr, Boston College, Catholic Biblical Quarterly (70:3)

"Parsons is doing creative work...and this work should not be ignored by his fellow scholars."--Robert C. Tannehill, Methodist Theological School in Ohio, The Review of Biblical Literature

"Parsons offers the seminary student or advanced undergraduate a detailed introduction to Luke as author within three ancient contexts: pagan, Jewish, and emerging Christian."--Kindalee P. DeLong, Pepperdine University, Religious Studies Review

"Parsons' characterizations of the author as storyteller, interpreter, and evangelist allows him not only to focus on the author's major functions but also to call attention to the significance of rhetorical techniques and their bearing on the meaning of Luke's narrative."--Joseph B. Tyson, Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies, Southern Methodist University

"Parsons' incisive and challenging interpretations should move the field of Lucan studies forward on several important fronts, notably in terms of method and theology. This book will make an excellent addition to required reading lists for graduate courses on Luke and Acts."--John A. Darr, Boston College, Catholic Biblical Quarterly

About the Author

Mikeal C. Parsons (PhD, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is the Kidd L. and Buna Hitchcock Macon Chair in Religion at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. He is the author of Acts in Paideia: Commentaries on the New Testament and serves as editor of Perspectives in Religious Studies.