Sign-In
Cart
Children of a Compassionate God: A Theological Exegesis of Luke 6:20-49
Paperback
Series: Scripture
Bible StudiesGeneral Christianity
ISBN13: 9780814650851
Publisher: Liturgical Press
Published: Oct 1 2001
Pages: 360
Weight: 1.27
Height: 0.90 Width: 6.04 Depth: 9.03
Language: English
2002 Catholic Press Association Award Winner!
Children of a Compassionate God is a detailed theological examination of Luke's Sermon on the Plain, the counterpart in Luke's Gospel to Matthew's Sermon on the Mount. Utilizing composition criticism, L. John Topel, S.J., explains what Luke meant Jesus' words to say to Luke's late first-century community and what such a message might mean to contemporary Christians. By inquiring into the theological intent of the evangelist, Topel helps us see how it is possible to undertake the Sermon's extraordinary commands.
In Part I Topel establishes Jesus' authority as the Son of God to teach by looking at the preface, Luke 1:1-4, which explains who Jesus is, what he is doing, why, and for whom. He first explains how the preface gains the implied reader's trust in Luke's authority necessary for successful narrative communication. He then considers the prologue (1:5-2:52), which establishes Jesus' authority to command obedience to the radical demands of the Sermon.
In Part II Topel looks at how Jesus reveals his ethical teaching, primarily to disciples but also to outsiders eager to hear him. In examining the beatitudes, he discusses how the reward offered in the first beatitude supplies not only the final, but also the efficient, cause for all of the beatitudes. Topel expounds on how Jesus transforms the Old Testament wisdom form into paradoxical proclamations of the reversed conditions of the final Reign of God which he is ushering in. Topel also considers the woes; the Love Command (6:27-36); and the Critique of Judgment (6:37-42).
Part III explores the good news of the Sermon. Topel demonstrates how two essential characteristics of the Sermon make it difficult to practice. It asks for the peak of human authenticity and for total conversion to the neighbor. The qualities and the actions which embody them are strikingly countercultural, not only for first-century Jews and Hellenistic Greeks and Romans but also to contemporary Christians. Still, the central image of the Sermon itself, the Children of God (6:35), provides the final clue: that empowerment by the Holy Spirit which made Jesus the Son of God in conception and career also makes his disciples children of God, able to address God in prayers as Abba, and to be compassionate as God is compassionate.
Chapters in Part I The Literary Context of the Sermon are Chapter I: The Prologue, and Chapter II: The Beginning of the Ministry. Chapters in Part II: Exegesis of the Sermon on the Plain are Chapter III: Blessed are the Poor, Chapter IV: Beatitudes and oes, Chapter V: The Love Command, Chapter VI: The Critique of Judgment, and Chapter VII: Parenesis on True Discipleship. The final chapter in Part III: The Interpretation of the Sermon is Chapter VIII: The Theology of the Lukan Sermon.
L. John Topel, SJ, PhD, is professor and chair of religious studies at Seattle University.
Also in
Bible Studies
The Early Versions of the New Testament: Their Origin, Transmission, and Limitations
Metzger, Bruce M.
Hardcover
The Apostle and the Empire: Paul's Implicit and Explicit Criticism of Rome
Heilig, Christoph
Hardcover
The Kabbalistic Mirror of Genesis: Commentary on the First Three Chapters
Smith, David Chaim
Paperback
The King Is Coming Bible Study Guide Plus Streaming Video: It's Time to Prepare for the Return of Christ
Bevere, John
Paperback
Separation of Church and Hate: A Sane Person's Guide to Taking Back the Bible from Fundamentalists, Fascists, and Flock-Fleecing Frauds
Fugelsang, John
Hardcover
Where to Find It in the Bible: The Ultimate Resource for Quick-And-Easy Biblical Reference
Anderson, Ken
Paperback
The Jesus Discoveries: 10 Historic Finds That Bring Us Face-To-Face with Jesus
Johnston, Jeremiah J.
Paperback
Becoming Like Jesus Bible Study Guide Plus Streaming Video: A Bible Study on the Beatitudes
Chandler, Matt
Paperback
Revelation: An Insightful Chapter-by-Chapter Journey Through the Book of Revelation
Dewaard, Erica
Paperback
The Divine Mercy Message and Devotion: With Selected Prayers from the Diary of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska
Michalenko, Seraphim
Paperback
Every Thought Captive Bible Study Guide Plus Streaming Video: How Renewing Your Mind Can Change Your Life
Idleman, Kyle
Paperback
A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, Large Print Edition: Discovering God's Love for You (Large Print Edition)
Keller, W. Phillip
Paperback
The Meaning of Marriage Bible Study Guide Plus Streaming Video, Updated Edition: A Vision for Married and Single People
Keller, Kathy
Keller, Timothy
Paperback
The Case for Christ: A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus
Strobel, Lee
Paperback
Revelation: An Insightful Chapter-by-Chapter Journey Through the Book of Revelation
Dewaard, Erica
Hardcover
The Beginner's Bible Study Guide: An Introduction to All 66 Books of the Bible
Trimble, Cameron
Paperback
The Promise of Heaven Bible Study Guide: Why You Can Get Excited about Your Eternal Home
Jeremiah, David
Paperback
Nothing Is Impossible with God: Eleven Heroes. One God. Endless Lessons in Overcoming.
Bream, Shannon
Hardcover
The Women of the Bible Speak Workbook: The Wisdom of 16 Women and Their Lessons for Today
Bream, Shannon
Paperback
Bible Women: All Their Words and Why They Matter: Expanded Second Edition
Freeman, Lindsay Hardin
Paperback
Making Your Case for Christ Bible Study Guide: An Action Plan for Sharing What You Believe and Why
Strobel, Lee
Mittelberg, Mark
Paperback
The Wiersbe Bible Study Series: Philippians: Even When Things Go Wrong, You Can Have Joy
Wiersbe, Warren W.
Paperback
Liturgies for Resisting Empire: Seeking Community, Belonging, and Peace in a Dehumanizing World
Armas, Kat
Paperback
Twelve Ordinary Men: How the Master Shaped His Disciples for Greatness, and What He Wants to Do with You
MacArthur, John F.
Paperback
Evidence That Demands a Verdict Bible Study Guide: Jesus and the Gospels
McDowell, Sean
McDowell, Josh
Paperback
Praying the Names of God for 52 Weeks, Expanded Edition: A Year-Long Bible Study
Spangler, Ann
Paperback
Brain Games - Large Print Bible Word Search: The Words of Jesus
Brain Games
Publications International Ltd
Paperback
Catholic Book of Prayers: Popular Catholic Prayers Arranged for Everyday Use (Large Print Edition)
Fitzgerald, Maurus
Paperback
The Westminster Study Bible: New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition with the Deuterocanonical/Apocryphal Books
John Knox Press, Westminster
Hardcover
No More Boring Bible Study: Why Taking Scripture Seriously Is Easier and More Exciting Than You Think
Womack, Faith
Paperback
Parables: The Mysteries of God's Kingdom Revealed Through the Stories Jesus Told
MacArthur, John F.
Paperback
The Complete Ethiopian Bible in English: The 88 Books Canon Including The Book of Enoch, Jubilees, Meqabyan, Ancient Biblical Apocrypha and More Ortho
Various Ancient Authors
Hardcover
The Complete Orthodox Ethiopian Bible in English: A Comprehensive Collection of Scriptures and Apocrypha Including the Book of Enoch, Ezras, Jubilees,
Press, Covenant Sacred
Hardcover
The Bible Recap: A One-Year Guide to Reading and Understanding the Entire Bible
Cobble, Tara-Leigh
Hardcover
The Last Book: What You Need to Know About Revelation, the Rapture, and the End Times
Kaddis, James
Hardcover
Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Manners and Customs: How the People of the Bible Really Lived
Vos, Howard
Paperback
30 Life Principles Bible Study: An Action Plan for Living the Principles Each Day
Stanley, Charles F.
Paperback
The Daily 5-Minute Bible Study for Women: 365 Focused, Encouraging Readings
Compiled by Barbour Staff
Paperback
God, AI and the End of History: Understanding the Book of Revelation in an Age of Intelligent Machines
Lennox, John C.
Hardcover
The Bible Says So: What We Get Right (and Wrong) about Scripture's Most Controversial Issues
McClellan, Dan
Hardcover
Mysteries of the Messiah: Unveiling Divine Connections from Genesis to Today
Sobel, Rabbi Jason
Paperback
The Circle Maker Bible Study Participant's Guide: Praying Circles Around Your Biggest Dreams and Greatest Fears
Batterson, Mark
Paperback
El Poder de la Kabbalah: 13 principios para superar los desafíos y alcanzar la realización
Berg, Rav
Paperback
Grace Bible Study Participant's Guide: More Than We Deserve, Greater Than We Imagine
Lucado, Max
Paperback
Believing Jesus: Are You Willing to Risk Everything? a Journey Through the Book of Acts
Harper, Lisa
Paperback
Brain Games - Bible Crossword Puzzles: Prayers, Parables & Prophets - Large Print
Brain Games
Publications International Ltd
Paperback
Experiencing the Heart of Jesus for 52 Weeks Revised and Updated: A Year-Long Bible Study
Lucado, Max
Paperback
Considering Sparrows: What Birds Teach Us about Who We Are, Where We're Going, and the Joy of Following Jesus
Burrell, Kevin
Hardcover
My Utmost for His Highest: Updated Language Paperback (a Daily Devotional with 366 Bible-Based Readings)
Chambers, Oswald
Paperback
Parables Workbook: The Mysteries of God's Kingdom Revealed Through the Stories Jesus Told
MacArthur, John F.
Paperback
Resilient Bible Study Guide Plus Streaming Video: Restoring Your Weary Soul in These Turbulent Times
Eldredge, John
Paperback
When God's People Pray Bible Study Participant's Guide: Six Sessions on the Transforming Power of Prayer
Cymbala, Jim
Paperback
First Nations Version Psalms and Proverbs: An Indigenous Bible Translation
Wildman, Terry M.
Paperback
Reversing Hermon: Enoch, the Watchers, and the Forgotten Mission of Jesus Christ
Heiser, Michael S.
Paperback
Moving Mountains Study Guide: Praying with Passion, Confidence, and Authority
Eldredge, John
Paperback
Everything You Need Bible Study Guide: Essential Steps to a Life of Confidence in the Promises of God
Jeremiah, David
Paperback
30 Life Principles Bible Study Updated Edition: A 90-Day Action Plan for Living These Principles
Stanley, Charles F.
Paperback
Better Ways to Read the Bible: Transforming a Weapon of Harm Into a Tool of Healing
Lambert, Zach W.
Paperback
Introducing the New Testament: A Short Guide to Its History and Message
Carson, D. A.
Moo, Douglas J.
Paperback
Find It Fast in the Bible: Topical Index of Over 5,000 Common and Obscure Biblical Phrases
Thomas Nelson
Paperback