The Social World of Luke - Acts: Models for Interpretation

by Jerome H. Neyrey

Book by

Genres: Sociology, Religion, Biblical Studies, New Testament, Christianity, History

436 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 1991

Reviews

[Michael Walker · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this work, a social sciences approach to the Lukan New Testament materials. Neyrey is the editor of this 13 chapter book comprising articles by 9 different writers, and divided into 3 sections: Social Psychology, Social Institutions, and Social Dynamics. As this is an evolving field of Biblical study, the insights are needfully tentative, but also tantalizing. Some conclusions appear to be spot-on deductions.

[Paul, · Rating 2 out of 5]

A collection of articles of uneven quality. There is a lot of guesswork in this book and a lot of over-certainty. The social science framework is employed, which I appreciate, but it is over-used. A lot of "man with a hammer syndrome" too, I think. Some of the material is still worth reading. I particularly enjoyed the article Conflict in Luke-Acts: Labelling and Deviance Theory, which I think has present-day applications.

[Benjamin Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A difficult read however, it begins to open up the social/historical world where Jesus' life and ministry would have occurred.

[Ramón · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seriously, social science commentaries shed so much light on ancient texts, particularly the Bible. This collection of essays was particularly helpful.

[Fred Middel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A valuable resource. Some chapters are less valuable than others, with clear presumptive bias. Overall, well worth the read.