The NT writer with the most to say
I'm enjoying Darrell Brock's newly released Theology of Luke and Acts. A few thoughts on what I've read so far. . .
There are 7,947 verses in the NT. Whose writings occupy the largest number of verses? Not John with 1,407 verses (if you count the Gospel, letters and Revelation), not Paul with an impressive 2,032 verses.
Luke, the author of Luke-Acts takes the prize as the most prolific NT author — 2,157 verses, around 27% of the NT. There must be something important about what he has to say.
Luke-Acts tells the story of Jesus from his birth and ministry through to the beginning of the church in Jerusalem and the ministry of Paul. It's all one story. What Jesus began to do in Luke, he continued to do in Acts as the Risen Lord.
The movement that Jesus launched fulfilled God's ancient promises and plan. The main character in the story is God himself. In Luke-Acts, God on centre stage, and the word of God is the force that drives the story forward.
The Apostles did not lead the missionary movement, God did. The Apostles are tempted to put their roots down deeply in their community and wait for the world to come to them. The Spirit propels the message and the messengers from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth.
Question: How closely does our missional thinking and practice correspond to the unfolding story in Luke-Acts?
