Luke: Artist and Theologian

Book excerpt: The Bible is literature as well as a sacred text. For this reason, the application of contemporary methods of literary criticism to the study of Scripture can yield rich benefits. Robert Karris' examination of Luke's Passion account exemplifies this approach. Karris argues that Luke reveals his theology through his artistry, particularly in the themes he chooses to develop and the means by which he does so. These themes provide Karris with an important insight into two questions: Why, in Luke's understanding, was Jesus crucified, and what was the significance of that death? Faithfulness is one more important theme Karris discovers in Luke's Gospel. Luke's Jesus portrays God as endlessly faithful, forgiving, and merciful, even to those unfaithful to him. Justice also surfaces as a clear theme in Luke. Jesus associated with outcasts and preached justice toward victims of his day. When the religious leaders of that time apposed this life-style of justice, Jesus assumed the role of the suffering righteous one. The author concludes by examining Luke's interest in the eating habits of Jesus. By no accident was Jesus slandered as a drunkard and glutton. Hies practice of eating with the unrighteous asserted that the seats at God's banquet table were reserved for the outcasts and the sinners. Karris's study shows that Luke saw the reason for Jesus's death to be rooted in the reason for his life. His conclusions will have value for both the student of Scripture and the individual or group interested in the issues of justice and society.