Rick Strelan Knihy

This book examines many of the strange events and actions in Acts in the context of the Hellenistic world and from that perspective. These events and actions include the ascension of Jesus, direction by the Spirit, visions, angelophanies, prison escapes and resuscitations of the dead. Many of these events are either avoided in scholarship or are investigated with an agenda other than to understand them for themselves. The book constructs an ancient audience to be one that has a close familiarity with the Septuagint and with other Greek and Latin writings. The culturally-strange events are then interpreted through the lens of these texts.

The book examines the authority and status of the author of Luke-Acts, exploring the legitimacy behind his Gospel writing and interpretations of Jewish Scriptures and traditions. It delves into how he presents the Jesus traditions and the rationale for producing a second volume that interprets the roles of Paul and other apostles in the narrative of Acts. Through this analysis, the work seeks to understand the author's unique perspective and the implications of his interpretations for early Christianity.

The series Beihefte zur Zeitschrift für die neutestamentliche Wissenschaft (BZNW) is one of the oldest and most highly regarded international scholarly book series in the field of New Testament studies. Since 1923 it has been a forum for seminal works focusing on Early Christianity and related fields. The series is grounded in a historical-critical approach and also explores new methodological approaches that advance our understanding of the New Testament and its world.

Focusing on the Acts of the Apostles, this collection of essays presents a unique exploration of its episodes through the lens of ancient literature and cultural context. The author aims to interpret these stories as early Christians might have understood them, offering insights that may seem unusual from a modern viewpoint. Readers are encouraged to revisit Acts, deepening their engagement with its intriguing events and characters. This work also emphasizes the significance of ancient cultural influences on texts considered "inspired and authoritative" by many Christians today.

Mark portrays Jesus as the Son of God who defies the religious and social norms of his era, reaching out to outsiders and the marginalized. This gospel encourages readers to embrace inclusivity and follow Christ by breaking down barriers that divide humanity.