Acts seems obviously a key text for considering a ‘New Testament’ account of Christian mission as well as Christian origins. Given that most of its speeches are ‘kerygmatic’ and Christ-focused, although also somewhat ecclesiological and in defence of apostolic authority and authenticity, it is rather from the narrative sections that one might ‘learn’ mission and ethics. In turn this was a factor in Acts being a comparatively neglected book in the canon when it came to use and commentary through the centuries: taking until the late 4th century for sermons and commentaries to begin, and finding interest only at certain points: Paris in the high middle ages among Dominicans, the second wave of the Reformation in the later 16h century, and during the 18th-century missionary movement. The revival of interest in Luke as a missionary and ethical theologian in the later 20th century has helpfully brought our topic into the frame. This class will examine how the interpretations of the past (in single figures in terms of availability) serve to illuminate how Acts treats Mission and Ethics and how these might mutually relate, helping one to notice things that modern scholarship overlooks.
This is a hybrid course, meaning that portions of the course will be online, whereas other portions will be in-person. In this case, the early months of the course will take place online. When Prof. Elliott arrives on campus from Scotland in November, there will be an in-person component to the course. Times will be sorted soon, but it will involve meeting twice per week for the month of November only.
