Review in: The Expository Times 2009 121: 96
Review door: Paul FosterGevonden op: http://ext.sagepub.com/content/121/2/96.2.full.pdf+html
ACTS IN THE PAIDEIA SERIES
Mickeal C. Parsons, Acts (Paideia: Commentaries
on the New Testament; Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2008. $27.99. pp. xxv + 438. ISBN 978–0–8010–3188–5).
Parson has contributed
the volume on Acts to the recently commenced Paideia series. His approach depends
heavily on the insights of rhetorical criticism, and throughout he seeks to
bridge the knowledge gap for those unfamiliar with the terminology and methods
of this approach. Apart from discussion of ancient literary conventions,
Parsons also seeks to integrate insights from the social sciences as a means of
elucidating the themes and narrative of Acts. This work compliments Parsons’
co-authored (with Martin Culy) treatment of the Greek text of Acts (Acts: A Handbook on
the Greek Text (Waco: Baylor, 2003)).
In his introduction
Parsons provides a brief summary of the trends in scholarship dealing with Acts
over the last twenty to thirty years. He discusses the author of this work in
relation to his ethnic identity, his function as a theologian and historian,
and the way in which he demonstrates his adeptness in practicing the rhetorical
craft. The unique issue that attend the variant textual forms of Acts are
briefly discussed, but Parsons’ clearly articulates that this treatment will
focus primarily on the Alexandrian tradition. Parsons’ carefully explains the
difficulties in dating Acts, and tentatively suggests placing ‘the date of the publication
of Acts at about ad
110’ (p. 17).The introduction
also discusses the intended audience and the structure of Acts.
Parsons’ approach in
the commentary section can be illustrated by looking closely at the treatment
of Acts 3:1–4:31 as representative. This section is headed ‘The
Healing of a Lame Man’. Under introductory matters the focus falls on three
issues. First, there is a brief statement concerning ‘questions of
historicity’. Parsons appreciates that opinion is shaped by the worldview of a
particular commentator, but helpfully represents the sceptical view of
Lüdemann, Hemer’s defence of the historicity of miracles and Talbert’s mediating
position. Next there is a discussion of the purported medical terminology
employed. Thirdly, the literary structure of this section is discussed and also
illustrated with a series of diagrammatic representations. The actual exegesis of the passage is the focus of
this section (pp. 55–67). Throughout there
are diagrams and highlighted boxes discussing the narrative flow, the
rhetorical features such as commutation and expolitio (refining), a structural outline, Bede’s interpretation of the
healing, and the place of smaller sub-sections in the wider narrative flow.
After this detailed exegesis, the focus shifts to theological issues – here the
issue of covenant is the central concern (pp. 67–71).
This volume is a very
helpful and rich treatment of the texts of Acts. It advances the aims of the Paideia
series and should be of great benefit to students and scholars alike.
PAUL FOSTER
School of Divinity, University of
Edinburgh
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