Overview

In examining Luke's multiple appeals to the figure of Elijah, this study not only provides clarity to a fascinating but often misunderstood element of the Lukan narrative, but also provides a helpful model for understanding an even more perplexing question in Lukan studies, namely, the presentation of the nation of Israel. No New Testament author takes more interest in Elijah than Luke, who may allude to the Elijah-Elisha narratives as many as forty times. This study pushes past questions of typology and one-to-one correlation that have stalled scholarly discussion on the topic, examining the theological significance of Elijah in Luke-Acts as a literary motif. It is argued that, in drawing on a common association between Elijah and the Old Testament concept of remnant, Luke appeals to Elijah at key moments in the narrative in order to signal the development of his remnant theology. For Luke, as in the days of the prophets, the concept of remnant holds in tension God's irrevocable promises to Israel with the widespread rejection of God's new work of salvation; the faithfulness of a few with a hope for the nation as a whole; and the particular election of Israel with the message of salvation for all nations.

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9781666701357

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Everyone knows Luke-Acts is laced with Old Testament imagery. And everyone knows the Old Testament figure of Elijah plays a prominent role, at least in Luke. Before reading this work I was content, however, with underwhelming explanations of the meaning of Elijah (and Elisha) imagery that had little impact on the larger Lukan theology. After reading this book, I now find myself wondering how Luke-Acts could actually be understood without Otten's thesis. . . . I myself will never read Luke-Acts the same way again. . . . Otten's scholarship is thorough, his argumentation clear, and his prose engaging. All Gospel scholars, let alone Lukan specialists, owe a debt of gratitude to Dr. Otten for this contribution to our understanding. --Nicholas G. Piotrowski, President and Academic Dean, Indianapolis Theological Seminary If there is no Gospel writer who surpasses Luke in presenting Jesus as a kind of new Elijah, then there is no scholar who surpasses Otten in explaining why. Agree or disagree with its conclusions: no serious reader of Luke's Gospel can afford to bypass this book. --Nicholas Perrin, President, Trinity International University

Author Information

Jeremy D. Otten is Senior Researcher in New Testament at the Evangelische Theologische Faculteit, Leuven.

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