The Sinner in Luke: 8 (Evangelical Theological Society Monograph)

Ihis study examines the use of the term sinner in Luke -Acts. `There is at present no scholarly consensus on the identity of the sinner in the Synoptic Gospels. Although the term is important in the Gospel of Luke few works target the role of the sinner in it. Even fewer address the curious absence of sinner in Acts.. Lukes narrative of Jesuss mission to sinners together with the comments about Gentiles in the Gospel prepare readers for the mission to Gentiles in Acts. Luke provides a link for readers by demonstrating how a Jewish religious sect made up of fishermen toll-collectors and sinners who claimed to have found the Messiah became a religion with a wide Gentile following. In his use of the term sinner Luke suggests that repentant Jewish sinners and repentant Gentile followers of Jesus represent a fulfillment of Gods promise of universal salvation.. The Sinner in Luke is an important study of a key Lucan theme. When Jesus proclaims release for the sinners as a core element of his message it is crucial to understand who the sinner is whether he be a tax collector or a religious leader---or even us. Dwayne Adamss study shows the moral-relational base that is central to the term in the face of other claims about this terms meaning and role in Luke. If one understands this category one can appreciate Jesuss mission better.The result is a study well worth reading. ---DARRELL L. BOCK Dallas Theological Seminary.