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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent commentary on the Gospel of Luke, January 31, 2000
This review is from: Luke 1:1-9:50 (Concordia Commentary) (Hardcover)
Dr. Just's two-volume work on Luke's Gospel will bless the Christian community by showing the incarnational/sacramental theology of the text.Just does this in two major steps, the first being his own Greek translation followed by key Greek word(s) and phrases and their meanings, grammatical studies, etc. which will clearly benefit clergy and informed lay people. Second, in the commentary section he clearly sets forward the meaning of the text in light of the historical understanding and recent scholastic views. This is a marvelously useful set to guide the Christian who wants the most out of Luke. He will find Christ here on every page.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Unique, thought-provoking commentary, May 24, 2007
This review is from: Luke 1:1-9:50 (Concordia Commentary) (Hardcover)
Arthur Just is a professor at Concordia Theological Seminary (Fort Wayne, Indiana) and teaches courses in exegesis, liturgics, homiletics, and pastoral theology. Luke 1:1-9:50 is the first of a two-volume set in the Concordia Commentary series.
Just approaches and examines the Gospel of Luke from a number of theological perspectives. He maintains an orthodox belief in Lukan authorship, not a series of "redactors" or a "Lukan community." He cites his belief that the text is primarily theological in nature (thus concerning itself not necessarily with historical fact, but with the identity and work of Jesus). Luke (along with every other book of the Bible) is Christological in nature and thus the eyewitness accounts of the person and work of Jesus are connected with Old Testament Messianic prophesies. Just believes that Luke is concerned with the Sacraments (Baptism and Holy Communion) and frequently shows where Luke provides sacramental teachings. Luke is concerned with eschatology--the end-times and the second coming of Christ. And, finally, Luke was exceedingly concerned with Catechesis--communicating Christ-centered doctrine in a manner conducive to memorization.
This last point is one of the most unique aspects of this commentary. Considering the great expense associated with producing or hand-copying a book, also considering the low literacy rate of the First Century Roman world, Just argues that most Christians would not be readers of the word, but hearers of the word. He is thus on the lookout for mnemonic devices such as alliteration, chiasm, juxtaposition, inclusio, and the like. He is also attuned to the Greek vocabulary, arguing that Luke will use certain words or phrases to signal to the hearer that they are to view a story/city/person in a particular way. Just also assumes a familiarity with the Old Testament, and thus assumes that at least a portion of the original hearers of this Gospel would be Jewish
This volume covers the text of the Gospel of Luke from its opening verses to the point where Jesus sets his face toward Jerusalem (the "Travel Narrative" or "Journey to Jerusalem"). Just includes an exceptionally well-written Introduction where he clearly lays out his theological perspective and scholarly methodology when approaching the text. Just provides his own translation, provides textual notes that rely on the Greek, and provides general comments on the historical/theological import of Luke's various pericopes. Excurses include "The Infancy Narrative," "Baptism in Luke-Acts," "Luke's Prophet Christology," "The Opponents of Jesus in Luke," "Jesus' Table Fellowship," and "The Lukan Beatitudes."
This reviewer has high regard for this volume. Just's comments are definitely not "run of the mill." Instead, his treatment of the text as both historical (giving us insight into the past) and also theological (still living, active, and influencing believers) produces a commentary that is both "ivory tower" and devotional. Several times during reading this commentary, the light bulb went on and I was able to view a familiar text in a new way. It is certainly a commentary I will turn to when preparing Bible studies and sermons.
The editors formatted the book well. The pages are clean and orderly; footnotes are provided; and a unique feature of the series is that Icons are provided in the margins when the author covers a certain topic. For example, when Just shows how a periscope relates to the Church, there is a "Church Icon" in the margin; when Just shows how a pericope relates to Baptism, a "Baptism Icon" is supplied.
The text assumes a theological background, one that especially includes the study of Hebrew and (especially) Greek. Just's commentary is strongest when he comments on Jesus actions (healing, exorcizing, eating), but not as strong when he comments on Jesus' teachings (e.g. Sermon on the Plain). In all, a unique contribution to Lukan study and a highly recommended resource for pastors.
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by Arthur A. Just
by Louis A. Brighton
by Jeffrey A. Gibbs
