Acts of God: #1

Using Jarosla#1v Pelikan’s commentary on Acts in the Brazos Theological Commentary set, this series of short posts will explore significant theological issues raised by Luke in Acts.

We begin by considering “classical Christian doctrine”–interpretation handed down to us by early Church Fathers and others.  First, in pre-Modern times the church relied heavily upon such classical Christian doctrine to understand how to make sense of the “vast heterogeneity of the words, images, and stories of the Bible.”  Second, Modern study of the Bible argues that classical Christian doctrine is biased and distorts our understanding of Scripture.  It urges us to approach the text fresh and objectively.  Third, Postmodern students of Scripture now critique the Modern critics–there is no objective reading of Scripture.  They argue that all reading is subjective and biased.  Pelikan argues, however, that “dogma” or classical Christian doctrine still matters and is still provides “the propoer basis for the interpretation of the Bible.”  The Book of Acts provides us an opportunity to explore what early church leaders learned about doctrine and theology from Luke.

Acts itself is an almost unparalleled drama (Pelikan quoting Edgar Johnson Goodspeed): “Where, within eighty pages, will be found such a varied series of exciting events–trials, riots, persecutions, escapes, martyrdoms, voyages, shipwrecks, rescues–set in that amazing panorama of the ancient world–Jerusalem, Antioch, Philippi, Corinth, Athens, Ephesus, Rome?  And with such scenery and settings–temples, courts, prison, deserts, ships, barracks, theaters?  Has any opera such variety?”

Pelikan identifies 84 individual theological issues or locus communis throughout this opera of Acts.  We’ll explore many of these in these short posts.

When was the last time you read Acts?  What’s your impression?