This fascinating study explores the enigmatic portrayals of the Pharisees in Luke and Acts. The characterization of the Pharisees is examined in the context of the social dynamics inherent in the narratives. The fusion of these narratological and social modes of analysis represents not only a fresh approach to the Pharisees in Luke and Acts, but also is a significant methodological advance in gospel study.

Author - David Gowler

"This landmark study . . . represents [an] outstanding achievement in the field of New Testament studies. No other study to date has achieved the level of analysis of characterization in a narratological mode, nor has any achieved a greater integration of narratological analysis with social scientific analysis."
- Vernon K. Robbins, in The Tapestry of Early Christian Discourse

"This ambitious study breaks fresh methodological ground by utilizing both narrative criticism and aspects of social-scientific criticism to examine the characterization of the Pharisees in Luke-Acts. The path which Gowler has forged in seeking to unite narrative criticism and social-scientific criticism is to be warmly welcomed. His numerous specific comments on the cultural scripts implicit in the texts examined indeed cast these texts in a fresh light and provide a splendid model for others to emulate."
- John H. Elliott, Biblical Theology Bulletin

"David Gowler is an outstanding and creative scholar, and his contribution to our understanding of Luke and Acts has been enhanced by his sensitive handling of character portrayal. His work promises to open new horizons in biblical interpretation."
- Christopher C. Rowland, Dean Ireland's Professor, University of Oxford.

"[This] meticulously detailed and argued treatise successfully first describes at length and then applies a 'socio-narratological' approach and modern theories in literature to elucidate the portraits of the Pharisees in Luke and Acts . . . . Gowler's interdisciplinary study is valuable for opening to biblical scholars the terra incognita of modern characterization theories; . . . such theories indicate once again that texts from classical antiquity and modern literature can indeed illuminate matters biblical."
- Casimir Bernas, Religious Studies Review

"Gowler's book makes a special contribution by attending to a variety of theoretical perspectives. He brings [narrative and social-science criticisms] into dialogue, and the result is a satisfying interdisciplinary study of modern, ancient, and biblical characterization. It is difficult to fault such an erudite and wide-ranging study, [and it] makes a significant contribution to the socio-narratological study of the Bible."
- Douglas E. Oakman, Toronto Journal of Theology

"I hope to be among the first to acknowledge the significant advances Gowler makes. Although Jack Sanders and I attempted to integrate literary and historical approaches, our methodology was naive in comparison with Gowler's socio-narratology. The significance of Gowler's socio-narratological approach can hardly be exaggerated. It will be indispensable for future studies of characters and characterization in the Gospels and Acts."
- Robert L. Brawley, McCormick Theological Seminary