The 'Finger of God' and Pneumatology in Luke-Acts (Library of New Testament Studies | LNTS)
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Overview
Luke's interest in the Holy Spirit is well-known, so when instead of having Jesus say, “ If I cast out devils by the Spirit of God...” as Matthew has it, he writes, “If I by the finger of God...” Luke poses a question that has puzzled many commentators since. Woods argues that in fact the phrase “finger of God” holds the key to understanding the role of the Spirit in Luke-Acts. Taking into account the background to the phrase, Luke's larger theological interests within the Beelzebub section itself, the Travel Narrative, and the program of Luke-Acts as a whole, he offers a new solution to an old exegetical question.
Top Highlights
“contains the only three references to the word ‘finger’ in Luke-Acts (Lk. 11:20, 46; 16:24” (Page 16)
“theologically as God’s visitation in response to the promise-fulfilment scheme” (Page 16)
“Luke’s use of the ‘finger of God’ expression at Lk. 11:20 will not only allow us to shed important light upon the meaning of the Beelzebub pericope (Lk. 11:14–26) in which it is situated, but will provide an important interpretative key to the way in which we may understand the role of the Godhead and other important issues in Luke-Acts.” (Page 14)
“Josephus writes about ‘the Antiquities’ of the Jewish nation using prologues of a style that are also used in Luke-Acts” (Page 18)
“but also interpret exorcism in terms of ‘proclaiming’ and ‘announcing the good news’ of the kingdom of God” (Page 147)
This will be a necessary volume in any library supporting research work or higher degrees in New Testament studies.
Edward Woods is Lecturer in Old Testament, Bible College of Victoria, Lilydale, Victoria, Australia.
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