Seven Things Luke Wants Me to Know – Joshua Graves: Exploring the Collision of Culture & Faith

Seven Things Luke Wants Me to Know

April 21, 2009

I’ve been teaching Luke-Acts for four years now at Rochester College. The first three years I co-taught with my good friend (twice my boss–he’s an elder at Rochester Church and V.P. of Academics at RC) John Barton. His missionary/global experience was a great match for my pastoral/local interests. To say it plain: we made a good team. It was comfortable, fruitful.

This semester, I taught the course solo. The students have been excellent. Diverse: urban/suburban, male/female, white/black, conservative/liberal–we made a pack to dive into the world of Luke-Acts to engage the questions of what it might mean to find Jesus alive in both scripture and today’s world.

I learn something new every time I teach this course.

Here are the seven convictions I’m left with this “time around.” I could say more about each one, but I’ll refrain. You can use your knowledge and imagination to push each one further.

1. Christianity is built upon the premise of “narrative rupture.”
2. The Spirit of God is the force behind, underneath, in front of all life.
3. Normal values are turned upside-down in Jesus’ economy.
4 . This faith is public.
5. Witness is more important than objective/subjective truth debates.
6. Maturity happens by being commissioned.
7. God wants to save the world via an alternative community.

Labels: Christology, Jesus, Mission

9 Comments

Good stuff, bro. I am challenged by Luke’s account of Jesus and his ministry every time I come to it, as well, especially these past few years. Thanks for sharing.

by Lance (Apr 21 2009, 12:58 pm)

Let me guess…you are going to name your first son after Luke–the 1st century Jesus-writer, huh?

by Josh Ross (Apr 21 2009, 3:16 pm)

Outside the camp….isn’t that where we witness to our turned upside down inside out life. So why is the church still hung up on remodeling our life inside the city? Thanks for reminding me to look for my story in His.

by Notes From Namwianga (Apr 22 2009, 10:23 am)

Lance, thanks bro. Glad you are blogging.

Boss–it’s Lucas not Luke. Get it straight or face the prospects of Lucas dunkning on Tru-dogg.

Laura,

Great to hear from you. I hope all is well in your part of the world (God’s favorite part). I am so encouraged by your example of love and selflessness.

Just got your email. Will write more later. Love you guys.

by Josh Graves (Apr 22 2009, 12:32 pm)

“Narrative rupture”…sounds like an analysis of my teaching ability.

by Tim Perkins (Apr 22 2009, 7:22 pm)

I would like to learn more about your first statement ‘narrative rupture.’ Can you direct me to some literature that gives some direction to Luke’s book of Acts?

by Navalpride (Apr 24 2009, 7:36 am)

I would like to learn more about your first statement ‘narrative rupture.’ Can you direct me to some literature that gives some direction to Luke’s book of Acts?

by Navalpride (Apr 24 2009, 7:37 am)

“Narrative rupture” is phrase used by literature scholars. I first heard it in a lecture by Lauren Winner. She is a Christian “because of the Incarnation” . . . that is “because of our narrative [human history] was ruptured by God.”

Now that I think about it, she’s very much a Karl Barth disciple. That’s a good thing.

by Josh Graves (Apr 24 2009, 7:49 am)

Luke/Acts resources

Fred Craddock (Luke)

Luke Johnson’s two part work in Sacra Pagina

Those are two excellent places to start.

by Josh Graves (Apr 24 2009, 7:50 am)