This book investigates Luke’s message of salvation in relation to socio-economic issues, and thus concerns salvation of the rich as well as the poor. With a narrative reading of Luke’s Gospel built on careful examination of its socio-economic context, it demonstrates that Luke’s message of salvation is best understood as: 1) Divine mercy which champions the cause of the poor and redresses the injustice of the world, 2) Its human embodiment, and 3) Divine reward promised to those who enact mercy.Wi argues that Luke’s question of ‘what must we do?’ juxtaposes salvation with ‘doing’, posing interesting questions with respect to the salvation of the rich. This volume highlights good news to the poor in terms of divine mercy and justice, shows that the reception of divine mercy calls for practices, which embody it, and above all clarifies Luke’s notion of salvation of the rich which will happen as participation in the salvation of the poor. Wi’s conclusion challenges its readers by asking the question along with Luke’s audience: What must we do?
MiJa Wi is a lecturer in Biblical Studies and Global Mission at Nazarene Theological College, UK.
List of TablesAcknowledgments List Of Abbreviations Chapter 1: Introduction Part I: Socio-Economic Contexts of Luke’s Gospel Chapter 2: Wealth: Land, Tax, Debt Chapter 3: Life Essentials: Food and Clothing Part II: Salvation of the Poor and the Rich Chapter 4: Salvation in the Gospel Of Luke Chapter 5: Salvation of the Poor: Divine Mercy And Justice (Lk. 4.18-19; 7.22; 7.11-17; 16.19-31)Chapter 6: What Must We Do?: Human Embodiment Of Divine Mercy I (Lk. 3.1-20)Chapter 7: What Must I Do?: Human Embodiment Of Divine Mercy II (Lk. 10.25-37; 18.18-30)Chapter 8: What Must I Do?: Human Embodiment Of Divine Mercy III (Lk. 12.16-21; 16.1-9) Chapter 9: Salvation of the Rich: Restored People Of God (Lk. 14.1-24)Chapter 10: Conclusion BibliographyIndexAncient Index
Wi’s study represents a valuable contribution to the discussion of Lukan soteriology that rightly directs attention to the integral socioeconomic character of salvation, not only as an aspect of salvation itself but also the expectation of socioeconomic reversal and action on behalf of the poor ... I recommend this book to anyone interested in Lukan soteriology, economics, or the indelible link between the two, and it should remain an important voice in that discussion for years to come.