Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

Introduction and preview. The hermeneutical dynamics of 'Reading Luke' as interpretation, reflection and formation / Anthony C. Thiselton -- Narrative, history and theology. Learning theological interpretation from Luke / Joel B. Green. The purpose of Luke-Acts : Israel's story in the context of the Roman Empire / David Wenham. Preparing the way of the Lord : introducing and interpreting Luke's narrative : a response to David Wenham / F. Scott Spencer. Reading Luke's Gospel as ancient Hellenistic narrative : Luke's narrative plan of Israel's suffering Messiah as God's saving 'plan' for the world / David P. Moessner -- Language, parables, and ways or levels of reading Luke. Political and eschatological language in Luke / I. Howard Marshall. The role of money and possessions in the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) : a test case / John Nolland. Reading Luke, hearing Jesus and understanding God : reflections on some hermeneutical issues : a response to John Nolland / Stephen I. Wright. A critical examination of David Bosch's missional reading of Luke / Michael Goheen -- Distinctive theological themes in Luke-Acts. Luke and the Spirit : renewing theological interpretation of Biblical pneumatology / Max Turner. Kingdom and Church in Luke-Acts : from Davidic Christology to Kingdom ecclesiology / Scott W. Hahn. A canonical approach to interpreting Luke : the journey motif as a hermeneutical key / Charles H.H. Scobie. Prayer in/and the drama of redemption in Luke : prayer and exegetical performance / Craig G. Bartholomew and Robby Holt -- Issues in reception history and reception theory. The reception and use of the Gospel of Luke in the second century / François Bovon. Looking for Luke in the second century : a dialogue with François Bovon / Andrew Gregory. Illuminating Luke : the third Gospel in Italian Renaissance and Baroque painting / Heidi J. Hornik and Mikeal C. Parsons -- Afterword / Joel B. Green.

In his introduction, Anthony Thiselton sets the context for a wideranging exploration of how to read Luke for God's address today. Traditional and more contemporary approaches are brought into dialogue with each other as several Lukan scholars reflect on how best to read Luke as Scripture. Topics covered include the purpose of Luke- Acts, biblical theology and Luke, narrative and Luke, reception history and Luke, the parables in Luke, a missional reading of Luke, and theological interpretation of Luke. Since prayer is a major theme in Luke, this volume explores not only the role of prayer in Luke, but also the relationship between prayer and exegesis.