Luke's Cosmopolitan Christ II

V. Luke's Socratic Christ

A. Emphasis on Ethics (e.g., 6:24–26; 12:13–31; 14:7–14; 16:19–30; cf. Socrates)

 

B. Emphasis on Divine Guidance (e.g., 3:22; 4:1,14,18; 10:21; 11:13; 12:11–12; 23:46; cf. Socrates)

 

C. The "Philosophical" Significance of Jesus' Death in Luke

1. Reduction or Elimination of the Idea of Jesus' Death as a Sacrifice for Sin

a.

 

b. Probably no sacrificial language in Luke's Last Supper (22:14–23)

Luke 22:19b–20 is missing from some early manuscripts and all early Christian quotations of the passage.

 

2.  Emphasis on Jesus as Martyr for the Truth (cf. John 18:37–38)

a. Jesus dies as a Prophet of Social Justice and Philosopher (e.g., 7:16–17; 13:31-33; cf. Socrates)

 

b. Jesus is a "Sign" for the Rise and Fall of Many (2:34-35; cf. 19:41–44; 23:27–28)

Cf. Socrates: "For know that if you kill me, I being such a man as I say I am, you will not injure me so much as yourselves." (Plato, Apology)

 

3. Then "What must I do to be saved" (Acts 16:30) according to Luke?  "Repent" (i.e., "change one's mind"; Luke 24:45–47).

a. Jews:

(1) must "repent" about "ignorantly" rejecting Jesus and,

(2) believe God has "made this Jesus . . . Lord and Messiah" by his resurrection (Acts 2:34–39)

b. Gentiles:

(1) must "repent" about "ignorant" idolatry and,

(2) believe God has proven Jesus is the coming cosmic Judge by his resurrection (Acts 17:30–31)

VI. Luke and the Church

A. The Times of the Gentiles (Luke 21:23–24)

 

B.

 

C. Ethical and Ecclesiastical Implications:

 

VII. Conclusion: Luke's Cosmopolitan Christ the Cornerstone of a Law-less observant "Way"