A Light to the Centurions

In this book, Robert Beck proposes to read Luke-Acts from the perspective of its implied reader. In making this reader a gentile sympathetic to Judaism, like the ""God-fearing"" centurions inscribed in his text, Luke reverses the empire-critical narrative perspectives of Mark and Matthew. And yet he profoundly challenges imperial cultural values. Luke launches his double narrative with Jesus' proclamation in the Nazareth synagogue. In lieu of the tradition of Ezra with its safeguarding customs, this programmatic announcement promises a path to the gentiles in the tradition of Third Isaiah, with both its releases and its risks. Luke shows a way for the outsider to enter into the traditions of Israel, and not replace them. This reading regards the full narrative sweep of Luke's double work. It yields a fresh look at his Gospel, as well as the largely neglected narrative structure of Acts.

Robert R. Beck is a priest of the Catholic Archdiocese of Dubuque, Iowa, and a professor emeritus of religious studies at Loras College. He is the author of Nonviolent Story: Narrative Conflict Resolution in the Gospel of Mark and Banished Messiah: Violence and Nonviolence in Matthew's Story of Jesus. He currently publishes a column entitled ""Sunday's Word"" on the Sunday lectionary.