109 - Luke the Theologian: Aspects of His Teaching

Luke the Theologian: Aspects of His Teaching
By Joseph A. Fitzmyer S. J.
New York/Mahwah, Paulist, 1989. 250 pp. $11.95.

The eight chapters of this book explore topics in the theology and critical background of Luke, which the author has already introduced in his massive commentary on Luke in the Anchor Bible series. The topics have been given a more thorough discussion in these essays, often reflecting fresh approaches or a more systematic treatment of issues touched in the fragmentary manner evoked by the commentary's style and organization. The chapters began as lectures at Campion Hall in Oxford University, and each is complete in itself. In their published form, they remain discrete entities, with no attempt to weave them into a single discussion. The topics covered include Lucan authorship, the "infancy narrative," Mary in Lucan salvation history, the role of John the Baptist, discipleship, Satan and demons in Luke-Acts, the Jewish people and the Mosaic Law, and a fresh look at Luke's view of "the sequel to Jesus' death and burial."

Each essay is developed with Fr. Fitzmyer's accustomed critical care and theological sensitivity. Each drives the reader back to the commentaryand, more significantly, to the text of Luke-to expand his or her study, and each leaves one longing for more. Specifically, this reader found herself wondering how Fr. Fitzmyer might link his discussion of the authorship of Luke-Acts to recent analyses of the Lucan social world, how he would respond to conclusions of narrative critics concerning the place of the Jewish people in Luke-Acts, and how he might develop the hermeneutical implications of his provocative explanations of Luke's theological agenda. The sense with which one is left of more work yet to do is evidence of the important contribution of this volume to the on-going task of Lucan scholarship.

Sharon H. Ringe
Methodist Theological School in Ohio
Delaware, Ohio.