The Covenant Concept as an Organizing Principle in Luke-Acts: (179 Studies in Biblical Literature)

In this study the methods of social concept criticism, poststructuralism, and social memory theory are innovatively and rewardingly combined with a revalued component of Greimas’ system, the morpho-syntactic and actantial model. Analysis clearly reveals that the Lukan author reconceptualized social memory of the covenant and employed it as a literary device by following a sequence of the Exodus motifs culminating in the altered Exodus goal of covenant service/worship. The Lukan author also employed the reconceptualized covenant as a theological device that provided thematic links in the logical flow of the story, organizing the collective memory of Israel, through which perceived social needs are addressed and a call is issued for a mimetic response to the salvific activity of servant Jesus. The actantial model accurately illustrates the organizing capacity of the covenant, mapping the covenant’s strategic placement and function to structure the plot-episode story and interrelate themes which articulate the servant identity of the Christian community. Researchers and academics alike will engage with this study that demonstrates the organizational capacity of the covenant concept in Lukan compositional design.

Table of Contents:
List of Tables – Series Editor Preface – Author Preface – Introduction – Organizing Principles in Lukan Studies – Principles of Organization in Early Judaic and Ancient Greek Literature – Principles of Organization Under the Terms and Conditions of the Old Covenant – The Covenant Concept’s Structuring and Interrelating Function in Luke-Acts – Summary and Conclusion – Bibliography – Index.

About the Author :
Frank Z. Kovacs earned his PhD from North-West University and teaches New Testament and Greek at the University of Toronto, Knox College, and Tyndale University’s Seminary. He is also a Research Associate with the Department for the Study of Religion at the University of Toronto.

Review :
“Did ancient writers in the biblical worlds organize their narratives to highlight a single, unifying theme? Is it realistic to look for an organizing principle in extended biblical narratives? What about a two-part document like Luke-Acts in the New Testament? If so, what might that theme or principle be? Kovacs explores these and related questions in extraordinary detail and with methodological sophistication. Even if you decide to nuance his final conclusions, you’ll have learned an amazing amount about what others have done and about what’s actually needed to address the issues adequately.” —Craig L. Blomberg, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of New Testament, Denver Seminary "This study convincingly demonstrates how the covenant provides a basis for the relation between the divine and humans in the context of the history of God's salvation, linking history and theology. It makes a valuable contribution to the debate in Luke-Act studies."—Francois P. Viljoen, Professor in New Testament, Faculty of Theology, North-West University, RSA