Since reading through and reviewing a work of this size is
better suited to a multi-page report, I’m going to touch on one chapter, share
my thoughts on it, and give my general impression of this work. The full table
of contents and a few pages from chapter two are available
online for viewing.
Chapter 3, The Case for the Unity of Luke-Acts and Reading the Volumes
as Luke-Acts and as Luke and Acts
In chapter three Bock makes an argument for viewing Luke and
Acts as a unified literary and theological message. Much debate has arisen in
recent years over Luke’s original intention regarding the two books. Did he
intend to write a two-volume work from the outset, or did Acts come about
later? Ultimately, what was going on in the mind of Luke is something we will
never know, but Bock suggests there are enough links between the two books to
show Luke was planning Acts from the beginning.
I was fairly convinced already of Bock’s position prior to
reading the chapter, and I find the arguments regarding the parallel structures
of Luke and Acts. Bock points out such things as the prominence of Rome at the
beginning of Luke and the end of Acts, parallels between the miracles of Jesus
and those of Peter and Paul, and the development of theme surrounding the
inclusion of the Gentiles in the believing community as evidences for their
unity.
Yet even if one does not agree, Bock makes a strong case for
reading Luke and Acts as unified and also as distinct. Structurally,
thematically, and theologically, there is a lot of overlap. Thus it is not
inappropriate to swing back and forth from Luke to Acts while discussing topics
such as Israel, Gentiles, women, or persecution. Each supports and builds upon
the other. Yet the longstanding history of separating the books in the
arrangement of the New Testament reminds us that there are two volumes for a
reason. The first describes the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord. The
second describes the birth and growth of the New Covenant community by means of
the proclamation about Jesus. There is value in both approaches, so neither one
should be abandoned.
Why not a commentary?
Since there are many commentaries available on both Luke and
Acts, what is the value of this book on the theology of Luke and Acts? For one,
this book treats the two books together in order to trace out the themes common
to both, thus bringing special emphasis to topics such as the inclusion of the
Gentiles in God’s covenant community (which Bock obviously sees as one of the
most important themes). Secondly, this book gives us a better look at the place
of Luke and Acts in the canon of Scripture and their unique contribution to our
theology.
I am encouraged by what I’ve read thus far, and I believe
works like this will help us to more faithfully grasp and apply the truths of
Scripture. Anything that gives us a better understanding of the purpose and
message of a book of the Bible will make us better at understanding and
applying the Bible’s message as a whole to our lives rather than emphasizing
only what strikes a chord with our own emphases instead.
I received a copy of this book from Zondervan for the
purpose of review.
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