Prophetic Jesus, Prophetic Church: The Challenge of Luke - Acts to Contemporary Christians

Luke Johnson is one of my favorite authors. His work on Scripture and Discernment was thought provoking. Of course, it was an argumentation for making changes through "inspired" judgment. But that is an issue for another day. This book promised to be a follow up to the first, but it left me disappointed. Not that I disagreed with him, rather he rarely made me think. But there were a few times. One was about the fickleness of God in allowing the Gentiles into the church. He caused me to think through the inclusion of the gentiles more. Here is another section that I never thought about. "But Luke introduces an important variation in this simple inward-outward outward geographical pattern. He shows how each outward impulse is followed lowed by a circle back to the city of Jerusalem: the mission to Samaria is confirmed by John and Peter from Jerusalem (8:14); Saul returns to the city after his call, only to be sent out again (9:23-30); the baptism of the household hold of Cornelius is defended before the leadership in Jerusalem (11:1-18); the church in Jerusalem sends Barnabas to confirm the mission to Gentiles in Antioch (11:19-24); Paul's mission to the Gentiles in debated then confirmed firmed by the apostolic council in Jerusalem (15:1-35); Paul journeys to Jerusalem rusalem and confers with James (21:15-26) before he is arrested and ends finally nally in Rome. Even as he moves the good news to other nations and other peoples, Luke keeps reminding the reader of the city of Jerusalem and its place at the center of his story." The premise of the book was interesting, and the fulfillment of the prophetic role within the church was helpful to see. But the book was a far second from his first in the series. Probably it was much better than I am giving it credit, because of the high standards the author has created for himself. If you are looking for some material on probably a rarely researched topic, this is a good text, just do not compare it to Scripture and Discernment.

Luke Timothy Johnson has written a work that that every scholar of the gospels and the early church should read. Focusing on the two-volumeLuke-Acts, Johnson expertly displays the intent of Luke the writer to proclaim the gospel of Jesus as a prophetic ministry and then weaves it into the strands of the history of the early church as found in the Acts of the Apostles, showing that the church itself i called to continue Jesus' prophetic ministry to the world. If there were one thing that Johnson's rendition overdoes, in my opinion, it's his overemphasis on the special place God has for the poor. There is nothing inherently spiritual in being poor, although the poor may have fewer distractions to spiritual growth.

The author makes the case that the Luke Jesus was as much of a prophet as he was a teacher and healer. Also, the author offers sober reminders that prophets are often shunned and mistreated by the very people they try to do ministry. Each chapter has a helpful subsection on "Challenge to Contemporary Churches."Page 19 suggests that Luke Acts is a "Theodicy." 1) It is a reminder that God keeps God's promises. 2) Luke Acts offers assurance that God is good for God's word.3) Finally Luke Acts is an "Apologetic" (Defense) for Salvation History that has began since the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament).

Johnson rarely disappoints. This book is no exception. I liked it enough to buy two copies, one for my Kindle and one print copy for ease of browsing. Johnson points out that prophecy is not so much foretelling the future as telling the powers that be how God wants them to manage God's creation (and pointing out what will likely happen if they continue to do it their way – hence the foretellng). As scholars do, Johnson first builds his case for Jesus as prophet, then for the early church as exercising the same role. Finally he challenges the contemporary church to exercise that same function. Lord knows: both civil and ecclesial power structures need repenting. Who is to tell them? The prophets among us – us as prophets!

Not exactly the comparison book I thought it was going to be but I am learning so much I'm thankful I bought it in spite of the fact that it wasn't exactly what I thought it was gonna be excellent book well written thought provoking

Through a close analysis of Luke-Acts, Johnson challenges the church to a deep reform of its life and self-conception and recover the prophetic

Johnson created an interesting and thoughtful outline about Luke and the tie he made in his writing. Great book for general reading and ministers alike!

Excellent