The Acts of the Apostles (Sacra Pagina Series, Vol. 5) [Hardcover]

Luke Timothy Johnson (Author), Donald P. Senior (Author), Daniel J. Harrington (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1992

The Acts of the Apostles is the second volume in the two-part writing scholars call Luke-Acts. It continues the story begun in the Gospel of Luke, showing how the Good News offered by Jesus was eventually extended "to the end of the earth," so that Gentiles as well as Jews came to share in the blessings of God.

This commentary treats Luke-Acts as an apologetic history. It takes with equal seriousness Luke's literary artistry and his historical interests, fitting his methods comfortably within the ancient standards of historiography. This perspective illustrates in particular that Luke's historical narrative serves a definite religious intent. Tracing that intent through the specific contours of Luke's story is the special contribution of this commentary.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

". . . incorporates important pastoral insights." -- Church

"I rejoice in recommending one of the most gracefully erudite, historically astute, and theologically rewarding commentaries available in a frugal market." -- Theological Studies

"This is an excellent commentary and a very important contribution in the series." -- Louvain Studies --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 592 pages
• Publisher: Liturgical Press (March 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0814658075
• ISBN-13: 978-0814658079
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.6 x 2.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #617,666 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Luke-Acts Volume 2, August 8, 2004

By 

Bahij Bawarshi (Beirut, Lebanon) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Acts of the Apostles (Sacra Pagina Series, Vol. 5) (Hardcover)

The Gospel of Luke and The Acts of the Apostles, jointly called Luke-Acts, have long been recognized as the single work in two volumes of an author with a distinctive understanding of the origins of Christianity. This commentary on Acts by Timothy Luke Johnson follows his commentary on the Gospel, published a year earlier in the same series, and must be read with it to fully appreciate his effort.

My review of Johnson's commentary on the Gospel (Sacra Pagina Volume 3) applies to both volumes. There is no need in repeat in detail here what you will find there. Briefly, Johnson has treated the two NT books as one literary unit and has used narrative analysis in his study in preference to historical investigation. He demonstrates that the overarching theme controlling both books is God's fidelity to his promises and his people, and that a prophetic structure dominates the narrative from beginning to end. Acts 1-7 is critical to his interpretation of the whole, both the Gospel story and its continuation in Acts. "The critical questions are posed and answered in these chapters. However lengthy, detailed, or fascinating the remainder of the Acts narrative may be, in dramatic terms it must be considered strictly denouement." (p. 14.)

The commentary format is the same as that of the Gospel. An additional feature of the notes is the inclusion of citations from the so-called "Western Text" of Acts, considered by Johnson to be (most likely) "an unusually sustained scribal redaction." At times it is useful in showing how Acts was understood at an early date.

Neither this summary nor the longer review of the Gospel commentary can possibly do justice to Johnson's attention to detail in the notes, his presentation of known Lukan themes, and his well thought-out interpretations. When the two commentaries are taken together, as they should be, they add up to more than the 4-star rating of each might suggest.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Study of Acts, August 8, 2010

By 

Grad Student (Glen Cove, NY) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

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This review is from: The Acts of the Apostles (Sacra Pagina (Quality Paper)) (Paperback)

Luke Timothy Johnson is an outstanding Catholic biblical scholar with an acknowledged expertise on the writings of Luke-Acts. I was introduced to this series when I took a graduate level course in the New Testament. The professor recommended this series as excellent New Testament reference books. I lead a weekly bible discussion group and I have found this series to be of immense help. I am able to review Luke line by line and receive the benefit of knowledgeable Catholic bible experts. I may not share the same views as the author on every passage but I can review his analysis and he also points me to other sources. If you needed one book as a guide to Luke-Acts this is it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Acts of the Apostles, September 30, 2010

By 

Burton J. Harrington "Advocate" (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Acts of the Apostles (Sacra Pagina Series, Vol. 5) (Hardcover)

We used Johnson's Acts of the Apostles for reference in teaching a parish bible study class. His scholarship is outstanding and his writing skills turned a reference book into a veritable page turner. We found information here that isn't to be found in any other book on Acts that we have used, and he skillfully includes salient information from countless other bible scholars along with his own conclusions allowing the reader to widen his view of current exegesis.