Author-James L.Resseguie
Publisher- Hendriksen Publishers
ISBN-1-56563-827-1
The subtitle of this book is “IMAGES OF THE SPIRITUAL LIFE IN THE GOSPEL OF LUKE”. The author is a professor at a theological seminary who has specialized in New Testament Studies and narrative critical approaches to the exposition of the New Testament writings. This book is very important and his writing style is very pleasant to read. Narrative criticism encourages the reader to see the spiritual significance of landscapes, social relationships and the local economy. What is the role of story in the narrative of the gospel? What do these stories say concerning spiritual formation and development? Luke’s gospel is examined with these things in mind and there is much illumination under this scrutiny. Students and preachers will benefit much from reading this work. There is a chapter on Topography and the part it plays in Luke and the spiritual lessons it teaches, Jordan, the desert, the lake and the mountain. Just bringing together those places and what took place at them bring spiritual lessons to mind. The stories in Luke which concern families and households are used to show models of spiritual development. The place of slaves, children, widows and family ties, what lessons can be learned from the narratives. Luke is full of the journey of the Lord and of those two en route to Emmaus, from these the itinerary of spiritual formation is looked at. When this book is read it brings to mind the writings of Kenneth Bailey on Luke fifteen. He examined the parables of Jesus in that chapter in the light of middle eastern patterns of life and the result is a fresh and lively approach to familiar stories. The narrative critical way of looking at scripture is not negative but quite the opposite, it gives due honor to the placement and relationship of various parts in the narrative, to the background which gives rise to insights on spiritual life which edify the reader.
