The role of the Lukan parables in terms of the purpose of Luke's gospel: perspectives on Christian life

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Date
2011-05
Authors
Jeong, Jea Yeol
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Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
For the most part, Lukan parables have been examined primarily as individual parables without any attempt to connect them to the purpose of Luke’s Gospel. I propose, therefore, in this dissertation, to go further than that by examining the role of the Lukan parables within the purpose of Luke’s Gospel, in the hope that the unique features of the Lukan parables will give us clues as to Luke’s overall purpose. After a brief survey of the historical research into the Lukan parables, and a methodological consideration for a study of the parables, the focus of this study will be a detailed analysis of the Lukan parables. Furthermore, in order to find a unifying motif for the Lukan parables, I will examine the theological themes of these parables, and the function and role of the Lukan parables in the travel narrative of the Gospel of Luke. I will propose, as a result, that a unifying motif for the Lukan parables is ‘Perspectives on the Christian life’. This comprises the relationship with one’s neighbours: Love and forgiveness; one’s relationship to material possessions; their right use; and relationship with God: Faith and repentance. Since the Christian life is one of the two pivotal themes of the travel narrative, and the theological themes of the Lukan parables converge on the Christian life, I will propose that the Lukan parables function clearly as instruction about the Christian life: That the Lukan parables were evidently intended by Luke to teach what it means to follow Jesus, and how Christians should live in the world. Hence the unifying motif of the Lukan Parables: ‘Perspectives on the Christian life.’ I will therefore research the role of the Lukan parables within the purpose of Luke’s Gospel. After surveying the many proposals about the purpose of Luke-Acts, I will suggest that Luke wrote to reassure his readers of the gospel that had already been preached and taught to them, especially under the detailed discussion of God’s plan. I will propose that Luke’s intention is to write a story of the continuation and fulfillment of God’s plan, which brings salvation to all people, that is, the redemptive purpose of God. In short, Luke seeks to reassure his readers of the gospel by presenting God’s plan of salvation. Finally, I will make two proposals for the role of the Lukan parables in the purpose of Luke’s Gospel: The role of the Lukan parables as one facet in making concrete God’s redemptive purpose, and the role of the Lukan parables in serving to accomplish God’s redemptive purpose. Here, I will examine the role of the Lukan parables particularly within God’s redemptive purpose, since Luke seeks to reassure his readers of the gospel with the pattern of God’s plan of salvation. For the most part, Lukan parables have been examined primarily as individual parables without any attempt to connect them to the purpose of Luke’s Gospel. I propose, therefore, in this dissertation, to go further than that by examining the role of the Lukan parables within the purpose of Luke’s Gospel, in the hope that the unique features of the Lukan parables will give us clues as to Luke’s overall purpose. After a brief survey of the historical research into the Lukan parables, and a methodological consideration for a study of the parables, the focus of this study will be a detailed analysis of the Lukan parables. Furthermore, in order to find a unifying motif for the Lukan parables, I will examine the theological themes of these parables, and the function and role of the Lukan parables in the travel narrative of the Gospel of Luke. I will propose, as a result, that a unifying motif for the Lukan parables is ‘Perspectives on the Christian life’. This comprises the relationship with one’s neighbours: Love and forgiveness; one’s relationship to material possessions; their right use; and relationship with God: Faith and repentance. Since the Christian life is one of the two pivotal themes of the travel narrative, and the theological themes of the Lukan parables converge on the Christian life, I will propose that the Lukan parables function clearly as instruction about the Christian life: That the Lukan parables were evidently intended by Luke to teach what it means to follow Jesus, and how Christians should live in the world. Hence the unifying motif of the Lukan Parables: ‘Perspectives on the Christian life.’ I will therefore research the role of the Lukan parables within the purpose of Luke’s Gospel. After surveying the many proposals about the purpose of Luke-Acts, I will suggest that Luke wrote to reassure his readers of the gospel that had already been preached and taught to them, especially under the detailed discussion of God’s plan. I will propose that Luke’s intention is to write a story of the continuation and fulfillment of God’s plan, which brings salvation to all people, that is, the redemptive purpose of God. In short, Luke seeks to reassure his readers of the gospel by presenting God’s plan of salvation. Finally, I will make two proposals for the role of the Lukan parables in the purpose of Luke’s Gospel: The role of the Lukan parables as one facet in making concrete God’s redemptive purpose, and the role of the Lukan parables in serving to accomplish God’s redemptive purpose. Here, I will examine the role of the Lukan parables particularly within God’s redemptive purpose, since Luke seeks to reassure his readers of the gospel with the pattern of God’s plan of salvation.
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Keywords
Thesis (Ph.D. (New Testament))--University of the Free State, 2011, Bible. N.T. Luke -- Criticism, interpretation, etc., Bible. N.T. -- Parables -- Criticism, interpretation, etc., Salvation -- Biblical teaching, Cristian life -- Biblical teaching, Narration in the Bible
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