Early Narrative Christology: The Lord in the Gospel of Luke (Beihefte Zur Zeitschrift Fur Die Neutestamentliche Wissenschaft Und Die Kunde Der Alteren Kirche 139) [Hardcover]

Christopher Kavin Rowe (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 30, 2006

Despite the striking frequency with which the Greek word kyrios, Lord, occurs in Luke's Gospel, this study is the first comprehensive analysis of Luke's use of this word. The analysis follows the use of kyrios in the Gospel from beginning to end in order to trace narratively the complex and deliberate development of Jesus' identity as Lord. Detailed attention to Luke's narrative artistry and his use of Mark demonstrates that Luke has a nuanced and sophisticated christology centered on Jesus' identity as Lord.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"[...] this is a significant and sophisticated study that makes an important contribution to our understanding of Luke's Christiology."Andrew Gregory in: Expository Times 9/2009 "It is a must read for all Lukan scholars, very helpful for all biblical scholars, and suitable as a textbook for courses on Luke."K. Tolppanen in: Ephemerides Theologicae Lovanienses 4/2009 "[...] a welcome contribution to the investigation of NT theology."Sigurd Grindheim in: Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 12/2007 "This is a clear and well-written argument, which will be read with interest by all those interested in Luke's Christiology."Peter M. Head in: Journal for the Study of the new Testament 5/2007 "Das durch Bibliographie und Register gut erschlossene Buch ist vor allem dem exegetischen Fachpublikum w rmstens zu empfehlen."In: Bibel und Kirche 3/2007

From the Back Cover

Despite the striking frequency with which the Greek word kyrios (Lord) occurs in Luke's Gospel, this study is the first comprehensive analysis of Luke's use of this word. The analysis follows the use of kyrios in the Gospel from beginning to end in order to trace the complex and deliberate development in Luke's narrative of Jesus' identity as Lord. Detailed attention to Luke's narrative artistry and use of Mark demonstrates that Luke's nuanced and sophisticated christology binds the identity of Jesus to that of the God of Israel."Lukan Christology has provided the focus of a number of monographs of late, but none has had this particular methodological focus on narrative criticism nor centered on the extensive use of the title kyrios by the Third Evangelist. In setting as his research focus the narrative development of the meaning of kyrios in the Gospel of Luke, then, Rowe fills a surprising lacuna in Lukan scholarship. More importantly, his project allows him to explore what is undeniably a central ingredient of Luke's Christology. . . . This is a compelling study that will serve as the point of departure for subsequent analyses of Luke's Christology. . . . Early Narrative Christology is exemplary for its methodological focus, exegetical prowess, and theological maturity."--Joel B. Green, Review of Biblical Literature"[This book] rests solidly on the foundation of extensive exegesis of the Gospel of Luke. . . . At points where Rowe disagrees with noted Lucan scholars, he argues convincingly, appealing to exegesis and lexical comparisons across the Gospel. . . . Rowe demonstrates that careful attention to exegesis coupled with critical reflection on the narrative development of the term across the Gospel provides the hermeneutical key to Lucan christology."--Laurie Brink, OP, Catholic Biblical Quarterly"There is no space in a single review to do full justice to the detail and richness of Rowe's analysis. . . . [This study] is clearly articulated, consistently worked out on the basis of a line of argument that is careful, subtle, and sensitive. . . . An immensely stimulating study that will undoubtedly become part of the standard literature on Luke's Gospel and Luke's Christology. Certainly this will be a 'must' for all serious students of Luke's work in the future."--Christopher Tuckett, Review of Biblical Literature --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 276 pages
• Publisher: Walter de Gruyter (July 30, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 311018995X
• ISBN-13: 978-3110189957
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 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: #5,310,154 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magnificent scholarship--how Luke develops kyrios to reveal Christ as lord and God, June 20, 2009

By 

Jeri Nevermind "loves to read" (Idaho) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Early Narrative Christology: The Lord in the Gospel of Luke (Paperback)

In the introduction to this book Rowe explains that he told a friend he was going to write a book on the subject of how Luke develops the word kyrios (that is, Lord) throughout his gospel. The friend gave him a "rather odd look and said something that roughly translates as, 'Hasn't that been done ad nauseam?" (p 1).

Perhaps because it seems so basic everyone simply assumes that thousands of scholars have already done this investigation. But, as Rowe points out, that just isn't so.

Rowe demonstrates how Luke uses kyrios time after time "not so much with theological propositions but with a panoply of literary and rhetorical devices that range from relatively simple, though significant, alterations of his Markan source to complex and extended paromasia. Throughout the story Luke uses kyrios so repeatedly that its reverberation within the narrative becomes the rhythm of the Gospel (p 29).

Small note: Rose does something I have rarely seen before in any biblical scholarship, which is to borrow examples from the likes of Shakespeare, or the prayer of Electra, and I think the book is much more interesting for it.

However, the actual line of his argument is utterly compelling simply by itself. The "main themes...Luke's theology of resonance and his christological focus" (p 81) is right on target. I was especially struck by Rowe's line of reasoning regarding the four Sabbath controversies in Luke.

What Rowe looks at is the cumulative effect of the gospel stories, the miracles, the disputes, all leading to the passion. This is such an intelligent way of examining the gospel that it staggers me how rarely biblical scholars actually use it. Instead, there has been, for the last two hundred years, a tendency to take one passage and beat it to death, shoving it into various shapes, trying to find a meaning it it alone.

Looking at the gospel as a whole, and examining the manner Luke uses kyrios makes a compelling case for what Luke was trying to say. What Rowe finds is that "the God of Israel is thus so concentrated in the figure of Jesus that they can share an identity...To apprehend the identity of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke is to include God, and the question, Who is God in Luke?, of necessity places Jesus at the center of the answer" (p 201).

This is a brilliant book. Highly recommended.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well written and learned, June 12, 2010

By 

Zachary Jacob Games "ZJG" (Dallas, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Early Narrative Christology: The Lord in the Gospel of Luke (Paperback)

This is a really great book when dealing with the Christology and the gospels use of the greek word Kurios. It seems as though Rowe really has a tremendous grasp on Christology, especially in the book of Luke. This book could definitely be a great stepping for Christological study in the gospels, as well as other places throughout the bible, i.e. Colossians 1, Acts, Ephesians 2. I would recommend this book for anyone looking for a scholarly report of Christology in the book of Luke. Superb job Mr. Rowe!

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magnificent scholarship--how Luke develops kyrios to reveal Christ as lord and God, June 20, 2009

By 

Jeri Nevermind "loves to read" (Idaho) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Early Narrative Christology: The Lord in the Gospel of Luke (Paperback)

In the introduction to this book Rowe explains that he told a friend he was going to write a book on the subject of how Luke develops the word kyrios (that is, Lord) throughout his gospel. The friend gave him a "rather odd look and said something that roughly translates as, 'Hasn't that been done ad nauseam?" (p 1).

Perhaps because it seems so basic everyone simply assumes that thousands of scholars have already done this investigation. But, as Rowe points out, that just isn't so.

Rowe demonstrates how Luke uses kyrios time after time "not so much with theological propositions but with a panoply of literary and rhetorical devices that range from relatively simple, though significant, alterations of his Markan source to complex and extended paromasia. Throughout the story Luke uses kyrios so repeatedly that its reverberation within the narrative becomes the rhythm of the Gospel (p 29).

Small note: Rose does something I have rarely seen before in any biblical scholarship, which is to borrow examples from the likes of Shakespeare, or the prayer of Electra, and I think the book is much more interesting for it.

However, the actual line of his argument is utterly compelling simply by itself. The "main themes...Luke's theology of resonance and his christological focus" (p 81) is right on target. I was especially struck by Rowe's line of reasoning regarding the four Sabbath controversies in Luke.

What Rowe looks at is the cumulative effect of the gospel stories, the miracles, the disputes, all leading to the passion. This is such an intelligent way of examining the gospel that it staggers me how rarely biblical scholars actually use it. Instead, there has been, for the last two hundred years, a tendency to take one passage and beat it to death, shoving it into various shapes, trying to find a meaning it it alone.

Looking at the gospel as a whole, and examining the manner Luke uses kyrios makes a compelling case for what Luke was trying to say. What Rowe finds is that "the God of Israel is thus so concentrated in the figure of Jesus that they can share an identity...To apprehend the identity of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke is to include God, and the question, Who is God in Luke?, of necessity places Jesus at the center of the answer" (p 201).

This is a brilliant book. Highly recommended.