Restoring the Kingdom: The Role of God as the "Ordainer of Times and Seasons" in the Acts of the Apostles: 165 (Princeton Theological Monograph)

In the book of Acts divine involvement is everywhere. From the beginning God is responsible for promised action including the geographic expansion--in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth (1:7)--referenced in Jesus response to the disciples clearly related to Lukes purpose in writing the book. Geographic expansion however is only the second part of Jesus reply. Is it possible that the first half of Jesus reply--It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority--has even greater bearing on the actions that follow and on Lukes purpose? Is the Father setting times and seasons related to the kingdoms establishment? Does this phrase explain the conspicuous divine involvement throughout the plot? In Restoring the Kingdom Michael Salmeier answers these questions in the affirmative by exploring Lukes characterization of God in three strands: God as the King who establishes and restores Israels king who establishes his people and who directs events. This unfolds Lukes purpose in assuring the reader concerning the events that have taken place helping to more fully illuminate Lukes theology concerning God and his kingdom.