Death and Resurrection: The Shape and Function of a Literary Motif in the Book of Acts

An exploration of the motifs of death and resurrection in the Acts of the Apostles, and its theological and sociological role in the Lukan narrative.

In this well-argued and clear-structured work, Dennis Horton highlights the shape and function of the death-and-resurrection motif by applying William Freedman's criteria of a literary motif to the Acts narrative. By analysing the statements about death and resurrection together with the examples of this messianic pattern within the experiences of major and minor characters, the motif becomes clear. This primary motif of death and resurrection is then contrasted with a secondary motif of death and decay, which functions as a warning to Christians. Thus suffering is ultimately an integral part of the life in Christ, but one that becomes balanced by renewed and eternal life.
Death and Resurrection provides a clear example of a biblical motif and how it develops and functions within the narrative, serving as a valuable guide for future studies of biblical motifs. The work also supplies a needed balance between the extremes of past and present Lukan scholarship by considering the combined effect of suffering and renewed life within a single motif.
Both the statements and actions of the characters reveal the importance of the two elements for Lukan theology and soteriology. The function of the motif derives from its usage within the narrative and proves insightful for gaining a better understanding of the aesthetic quality of the story while simultaneously showing how the narrator skillfully wields the motif to provide encouragement to the followers of 'The Way', to issue a warning to would-be persecutors, and to deliver an evangelistic message to potential converts such as the 'God-fearers'. The messianic pattern of death and resurrection becomes a heuristic tool that the narrator carefully applies to create a potent motif with a multifaceted message for a growing and often suffering Christian community.

Dennis J. Horton is Associate Professor of Religion and Associate Director of Ministry Guidance at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. His research has focused on the academic study of the New Testament and its practical implications for Christian ministry.