Chapter 1
Introduction
Lukeās noted concern for socio-economic issues is axiomatic in Lukan studies as the plethora of works in this area shows. Most studies are directed towards Lukeās theology of the poor or Lukeās wealth ethics. Rarely, however, have scholars discussed Lukeās interest in socio-economic issues in relation to his message of salvation despite their close links in the Gospel.1 Few works directly tackle the salvation of the poor and the rich, and the use of wealth in the light of salvation in Lukeās Gospel.2 In fact, Luke frequently communicates the message of salvation in socio-economic terms. Concerning soteriological inquiries, Lukeās response conveys economic connotations in perspective (Lk. 3.10-14; 10.25, 28, 37; 18.18, 22). Conversely, how one uses material goods determines oneās eternal destiny (Lk. 12.15, 20-21; 16.9). Socio-economic issues not only serve as an essential part of Lukan salvation but also shape his understanding of salvation in the Gospel. Hence this thesis explores Lukeās incorporation of socio-economic issues into his message of salvation and Lukeās soteriological concerns for the rich as well as the poor.
This thesis aims to address several issues. First, what does it mean when Lukeās Gospel postulates good news to the poor (Lk. 4.18-19; 7.22; cf. 1.52-53; 6.20-21; 7.11-17; 16.19-31)? Who are the poor and what is good news? Second, what is the significance of the recurring question: Ī¤į½· ĻĪæĪ¹į½µĻĻĪ¼ĪµĪ½ (Lk. 3.10, 12, 14; also in 10.25; 12.17; 16.3; 18.18; cf. Acts 2.37; 16.30), which apparently combines salvation with ādoingā? Is Lukeās preponderant use of į¼Ī»ĪµĪæĻ (į¼Ī»Īµį½³Ļ, į¼Ī»ĪµĪ·Ī¼ĪæĻį½»Ī½Ī· Lk. 1.50, 54, 58, 72, 78; 10.37; 11.41; 12.33; 16.24; 17.13; 18.38; cf. 6.36) in the context of salvation significant in this regard? Third, can the rich be saved, even with Lukeās unfavourable depiction (Lk. 6.24-25; 1.51-53; 12.16-21; 14.16-24; 16.19-31; 18.18-25; cf. 19.1-10)? If so, how? Finally, these still beg one final question: Do the salvation of the poor and the rich relate to each other? If so, how does Lukeās Gospel envisage their gathering? While these questions will be revisited and refined throughout the thesis, this chapter deals with some preliminary issues for the whole thesis.
1.1 Justification for the Thesis
Good news to the poor (ĻĻĻĻĪæĪÆ) (Lk. 4.18; 7.22) is an axiom upon which Lukeās Gospel builds. Lukan studies on āpoor and richā primarily define the poor in the light of the good news. FranƧois Bovonās review of research on āpoor and richā in Luke-Acts affirms that scholars have addressed this topic substantially.3 Bovon, however, raises a significant question: āIs it healthyā to produce another exegetical work on this issue?4 This is indeed a crowded area of research; however, continued scholarly works evince both the unresolved problems and the relevancy of this issue for Lukan studies. The spectrum of scholarly opinions on āpoor and richā and (either lack of or surplus of) wealth is wide and diverse. It ranges from the ācentrality of the poorā5 to Luke as āthe evangelist of the richā6 and from the elimination of wealth7 to its accommodation.8
More importantly, previous works focused on resolving seemingly problematic issues which emerge from the programmatic role of good news to the poor (Lk. 4.18; 7.22) in Luke-Acts. If Lukeās ĻĻĻĻĪæĪÆ are the beneficiaries of salvation, they either have spiritual or moral qualities. This refers to their belief. It is often questioned whether material poverty and wealth might be the sole factors which determine oneās salvation.9 Nor can the scope of salvation be reduced only to the socio-economically impoverished.
This thesis, however, suggests that the issues need to be addressed from a different angle. The vital role of Lk. 4.18-19 (7.22) does not and should not confine good news only to the poor regardless of how one defines them. Although this programmatic passage underscores Jesusā primary concern for the poor, salvation is not limited to the poor in Luke.10 Previous studies have not sufficiently addressed the āpoor and richā in the context of Lukeās message of salvation which centres on divine mercy (į¼Ī»ĪµĪæĻ) and its human embodiment. Divine mercy and its human embodiment in fact shed light on the salvation of the rich as well as the poor and on the restorative and redemptive use of wealth, namely, almsgiving (į¼Ī»ĪµĪ·Ī¼ĪæĻį½»Ī½Ī·).11
In what follows, I will offer a brief survey of scholarly readings of āpoor (ĻĻĻĻĪæĪÆ) and rich (ĻĪ»ĪæĻĻĪ¹ĪæĪ¹)ā in Lukeās Gospel. Defining the poor is a āvexing questionā.12 The spiritual and religious understanding of them has never faded while their socio-economic status seems more remarked on.13 Scholars have asserted that the humble circumstances of the poor lead them to trust in God. I. Howard Marshallās view on the poor as the pious is typical in this regard.14 In a similar vein, Luke T. Johnson argues that Luke employs the terms, āpoor and richā, for a literary purpose.15 Johnson argues that Luke uses the terms symbolically to denote their spiritual attitude, and thus they do not carry socio-economic meanings.16 Johnson sets āthe pattern of the Prophet and the Peopleā in his reading of āpoor and richā in Luke-Acts. Those who accept the prophet are the poor and those who reject the rich.17
David P. Seccombe contends that the poor in Lukeās Gospel are Israel who needs salvation while the rich are those who refuse to repent.18 He asserts the following:
The poor is a traditional characterization of Israel understood in terms of its suffering and humiliation at the hands of nations and as a result of its own disordered internal life. ā¦ There is nothing socio-economic or socio-religious about Lukeās use of āpoorā terminology in the passages. ā¦ The poor are Israel and the answer to their poverty is the messianic Kingdom.19
Due to his overemphasis on an Isaianic understanding of the poor, he suppresses their socio-economic meaning despite its evident presence in the texts (e.g. Lk. 7.11-17; 14.16-24; 16.19-31).20 Rather, he unduly applies the notion of the poor as Israel to texts that mention the poor.
Employing a literary approach, John Roth categorizes the poor as a cha racter type which depicts unfortunate stereotypes in the LXX.21 They are not actors, but acted upon, and thus āconventional recipients of Godās saving actionā.22 In doing this, he tackles the long-standing conundrum, that is, Lukeās pervasive use of the terms āpoor (ĻĻĻĻĪæĪÆ) and rich (ĻĪ»ĪæĻĻĪ¹ĪæĪ¹)ā and the warning against wealth in the Gospel that virtually disappear in Acts.23 His study offers a Christological solution for the absence of the terms in Acts. Jesus is no longer Godās eschatological benefactor of the poor, but a risen Lord in Acts.24 While the works of Seccombe and Roth mainly focus on the poor, Halvor Moxnes features Lukeās description of the rich as ānegative examplesā, somewhat similar to the Pharisees ā ĻĪ¹Ī»į½±ĻĪ³Ļ
ĻĪæĪ¹ (Lk. 16.14).25 His contextual studies of first-century Palestine peasant society stand solid: the rich in that society oppressed the poor.26 Thus, rich Christian sounds almost oxymoronic to him. The rich in Lukeās narrative world are outsiders, urban elites and unbelievers.
Similarly, Outi Lehtipuu observes that the poor and the rich in Lukeās Gospel are characters in āa socially ā and ideologically ā constructed realityā.27 She raises and revisits disturbing problems of the salvation of the poor and the rich in Lk. 16.19-31 in which Jesus bases their salvation seemingly on their economic status.28 It is indeed problematic to modern readers that the poor are rewarded for their poverty and the rich are condemned for their wealth. Instead of challenging the issues further, however, she op...