The Hermeneutics of Social Identity in Luke-Acts
Preface by Thorsten Moritz
Imprint: Pickwick Publications
Luke-Acts presents a vision of the kingdom of God and the early church in a program of decentralization, that is, a movement away from the centralized power structures of Judaism. Decentralization of the temple, land, purity laws, and even the people that seem to possess the power early in Acts (i.e., Peter and the other apostles) makes room for a move of radical inclusion. Luke demonstrates the Holy Spirit as the prime initiator of outward expansion of the kingdom of God, radically including and welcoming God-fearers, gentiles, an Ethiopian eunuch, and more. Fox argues that Luke-Acts is purposed to create social identity in God-fearing readers using the rhetorical tools of the first century to communicate prescribed beliefs and norms, promise and fulfillment, and prototypes and exemplars. Each of these elements is examined and traced through Luke's two-volume work.
Nickolas A. Fox is an adjunct professor of New Testament at several colleges around the Twin Cities, Minnesota. He has also worked in addiction recovery in Minneapolis for over a decade. He has contributed to the Expository Dictionary of Old Testament and New Testament Words and the Dictionary of Pauline Letters (2nd ed.).
“Nickolas Fox brings a fresh approach to the labyrinthian question of the purpose of Luke-Acts. Putting social identity theory to good use, he urges that Luke’s principal aim was to form an insider-identity within the first-century Christian movement among former outsiders—God-fearers.”
—Joel B. Green, Professor of New Testament Interpretation, Fuller Theological Seminary
“Fox’s The Hermeneutics of Social Identity in Luke-Acts is a compelling interdisciplinary work that joins social scientific with historical and literary analysis. This in-depth exploration of the audience of God-fearers in Luke-Acts gives his readers a helpful introduction to social identity theory and narrative and intertextual aspects of Luke-Acts. Readers will find Fox’s work a deep and meaningful reflection on God’s desire for inclusivity of God-fearers in God’s kingdom.”
—Beth M. Stovell, Associate Professor of Old Testament, Ambrose University
“Luke-Acts has traditionally been understood as written to Gentile Christ-followers. In his insightful study, Nickolas Fox analyzes social identity formation in Luke-Acts and concludes that its primary audience is God-fearers. Forming God-fearers for inclusion into the people of God explains a number of Lukan motifs explored by Fox, including a decentralized movement and an accent on minor characters. Fox offers Luke-Acts scholarship a thoughtful contribution for the conversation.”
—Jeannine Brown, Professor of New Testament, Bethel Seminary
“I know Nick Fox as a good man and a true follower of Jesus. His treatment of Luke-Acts is compelling, faithful, and ground-breaking. The Hermeneutics of Social Identity in Luke-Acts offers biblical answers to a culture desperate for a coherent social identity of inclusion. This is well done.”
—Peter Benedict, Lead Pastor, River Heights Vineyard Church
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