When it comes to learning about the Gospel of Luke it’s important to learn about the historical background to get a better understanding of the context of the overall scripture. One of the things that got me interested regarding this reading was concerned with issues of social status and social stratification. When it comes to the Jewish world “classes” are commonly based on the status that you are labeled. On page 10 of the textbook, it gives out the highlights of the different people groups that are mentioned. Learning about the different groups will help us understand the culture and the interactions that Jesus faced in the midst of His ministry.
Learning about Jewish culture and their practice is important to relate with the culture and understand the background based on practices that they held. Jerusalem Temple is the lifeline of Jewish practice based on their obedience to the law. “Moreover, portraits of Jewish piety appear in references to prayer, worship, fasting, and expectant waiting and, indeed, to the representation of life oriented around the Jerusalem temple.” (14) We see Jesus being involved in the Temple and the synagogue when it comes to teaching the Torah and telling the audience the fulfillment that is taking place. It is important to see why there was resistance because the Jewish people valued the Temple and having Jesus state things about himself they consisted it as blasphemous.
I appreciate the statement that the context states about Luke’s narrative approaches. “For Luke, “narrative” is proclamation. Luke has in mind the use of history to preach, to set forth a persuasive, narrative interpretation of God’s work in Jesus.” (19) That point that Luke uses His narrative to preach and we conclusion principles based on a historical narrative is something I have seen people say it’s invalid to allow principles on Acts to be taken as foundational beliefs. The point of the look is persuasive interpreting God’s work in Jesus. I can conclude that his writing in the Book of Acts is seeing God’s work through the Apostles or through a Pentecostal perspective seeing God’s work by the Holy Spirit.
Green, Joel B.. The Theology of the Gospel of Luke (New Testament Theology) (p. 14,19). Cambridge University Press. Kindle Edition.
My Faith Journey 