Thesis advisor: Christopher Matthews / Thesis advisor: Matthew Monnig / Thesis (STL) — Boston College, 2022. / Submitted to: Boston College. School of Theology and Ministry. / Discipline: Sacred Theology.

Recently scholars involved in narrative analysis seem to have overlooked the role of the narrator and overemphasized that of the readers. They even have different perspectives on the identification of the readers. Whoever the reader is, they place an omnipotent ability onto the reader as the master of interpreting the biblical narratives so that the reader maintains an unchanged position in this field but the narrator loses his/her effect. Such a tendency becomes more problematic in dealing with biblical characterization. With this problem in mind, the principal objective of this dissertation is to demonstrate the dynamic relationship between the narrative themes and characters created by the Lukan narrator rather than the reader in the Infancy Narrative. This study considers the narrator as the main entity who creates the narrative themes, especially in relation to the narrative characters, and presents a model of narrative analysis which has been formalized for the study of the Luke's thematic characterization in the Infancy Narrative (Luke 1-2). The main question of the dissertation is two-fold: 1) how does the narrator characterize his characters for the sake of his narrative themes?; 2) What is the thematic function of the Infancy Narrative in the Lukan Gospel in relation to the narrator's thematization of the characters? In order to answer this question, this study suggests three steps for analyzing the narrative. One is to define the types of characters (on-stage: front ground, foreground, and background; and off-stage: setting and potential), another is to determine narrative themes based upon three dimensions (textual, intertextual, and extratextual), and the other is to observe thematic relations between the characters in the Infancy Narrative and the following parts of the Lukan Gospel. With these steps, this study defmes all characters of the Infancy Narrative and evaluates their thematic roles, and the narrator's themes conveyed by his characters. Lastly, after examining the thematic coherence through narrative characters in the Gospel, this dissertation attests that the Infancy Narrative is a well-designed thematic introduction of the Gospel which establishes the major themes of the Gospel, conveyed by the divine characters (God, the Holy Spirit, and the angel), John, Jesus, and others. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

ABSTRACT (deutsch) Das Lukasevangelium ist ein literarisches Werk in Form einer Erzählung. Die Pharisäer spielen darin eine zentrale Rolle als wichtigste Gruppe der Gegenspieler Jesu. Die Methode der narrativen Exegese ist daher geeignet, die Darstellung der Pharisäer zu analysieren und eine literarische Charakterisierung vorzunehmen. Eine Untersuchung aller Texte des Lukasevangeliums, in denen Pharisäer erwähnt werden, ergibt ein komplexes und facettenreiches Pharisäerporträt. Die Pharisäer werden primär negativ dargestellt, als religiöse Führer, die die göttliche Sendung Jesu, seine Vollmacht und seinen Auftrag, nicht erkennen und ablehnen. Die Pharisäer haben eine Kontrastfunktion innerhalb der Gesamterzählung des Lukasevangeliums. Sie dienen als Negativfolie, auf der die Bedeutung der Hauptfigur Jesus umso heller aufleuchtet. Ein Merkmal des Lukasevangeliums ist jedoch, dass dieses primär negative Bild durch die erzählerische Darstellung mehrfach abgeschwächt wird. Der Erzähler zeichnet kein einseitiges Pharisäerbild (flat character), sondern differenziert deutlich (mehr als die anderen Synoptiker). Er verzichtet bei der Präsentation ihres Verhaltens und ihrer Worte weitgehend auf explizit feindliche Aspekte. Er deutet eine relative Nähe zwischen Jesus und den Pharisäern an. Eine abschließende negative Wertung oder Verurteilung der Pharisäer unterbleibt. Auffällig ist die komplette Auslassung der Rolle der Pharisäer beim Prozess gegen Jesus. Die Reaktion Jesu auf die Pharisäer ist geprägt von Milde und Hoffnung, trotz vereinzelter scharfer Auseinandersetzungen. Jesus ist bei allen Begegnungen mit den Pharisäern bemüht, ihnen zur Erkenntnis seiner Person als göttlichem Gesandten zu verhelfen und sie zur Umkehr zu bewegen. ABSTRACT (english) The Gospel of Luke is a literary work in narrative form in which the Pharisees play a central role as the most important group in opposition to Jesus. Thus narrative exegesis is an appropriate method to analyse the presentation of the Pharisees and to undertake a literary characterisation of their role. An examination of all the texts in Luke's Gospel which mention the Pharisees yields a complex, multi-facetted portrait of the Pharisees. The Pharisees, characterised primarily negatively as religious leaders, neither recognise nor acknowledge the divine mission of Jesus, nor his authority nor mandate. Rather the Pharisees function in juxtaposition to Christ and his ministry within the overall narrative of Luke's Gospel. They serve as a negative backdrop against which the central figure of Jesus appears all the more significant, indeed even radiant. However, it is one trait of Luke's Gospel that this primarily negative picture is repeatedly softened by the narrative presentation. The narrator does not paint a one-sided picture of the Pharisees (flat character) but differentiates clearly in his presentation (more than the other Synoptic Gospels do). In his presentation of the Pharisees' behaviour and words the author to a large extent forgoes mentioning explicitly hostile aspects, but rather intimates the relative proximity between Jesus and the Pharisees. There is no final negative evaluation or judgement passed on the Pharisees. It is noteworthy that there is a complete omission of the role of the Pharisees in the legal proceedings and court trials against Jesus. Jesus' reaction to the Pharisees is nevertheless one of gentleness and hope, despite a few acrimonious conflicts recounted in the narrative. In all of his encounters with Pharisees Jesus endeavours to help them recognise himself as divine envoy and to move them to repentance. / New Testament / M.Th.

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The question of how the Evangelists of the first century want about their tasks has always been open. Source study gained a major place uncer the Formgechichte school and the impact continues today. We consider also today the community in which the Evangelist stands. The redaction-critical investigation does not give us information concerning the Sitz im Leben Jesu, but it can lead us to a better understanding of the Sitz im Lebeft Kirche. Besides the sources (written or oral) at the disposal of the writer we must reckon with his own outlook tnd theology, not forgetting those for whom he is writing. H. Conzelmanr, C.K. Barrett and others today have helped us to the position thai Luke was a skilled theologian. If we regard Luke as a theologian we s ould be able to detect some of his theological positions and suppositions. The Lukan corpus is the most extensive of New Testament writ ngs. Behind what Luke set down oh parchment was the preaching, witness ind experience of the sub-apostolic Church. What we have in Luke-Acts i a kind of double projection. It Is a picture of the. Church of the apost lie period superimposed by the picture of the Church of the sub-apostoli period. What is the relationship of the Old Covenant to this Ne Covenant people? How are the Scriptures of the Old Testament relat .d to that compilation of writings of the "many" to whom Luke refer- in his preface? More specifically, what is the relationship of Deuteronomy to Luke and his sources? C. F. Evans has contributed much to the genesis of our paper through his essay, "The Central Section of St. Luke's Gospel". A careful study of Evans' hypothesis that the Central Section of Luke's Gospel follows Deuteronomy by way of correspondence and contrast, has grown into a dissertation. We concur that Evans has found a connection between Luke and Deuteronomy. The argument that the connection is based on the order of contents Is difficult to support adequately. We propose an alternative. Starting from the Prophet Like Moses emphasis of Acts 3 and 7 we perceive a consistent typology. Jesus is preached, according to Luke, as a type of Moses-the fulfilment of the Prophet Like Moses of Deut.18:15, 18. We observe that Luke emphasizes the prophetic elements very strongly n-tq Christology. Tha sides of the character of Jesus emphasized by Luke are precisely those wuich die Pentateuch portrays of Moses; the prophetic, priestly, kingly and servant features. The mediatorial role of the dying Christ is presented more clearly by Luke than by the other Evangelists. Luke alone records the "Father forgive them" passage. (23:24). This attitude is parallel to the tradition of Deut. 9 where Moses three times makes intercession for Israel. In the record of the Transfiguration Deut. 18:15 plays a paramount part. The whole of the Journey Teaching Section follows, as it were^ under the 'hear you him' imperative. Luke alone introduces the word^o&oSin describing Jesus* death which was to take place in Jerusalem. From this point of view it is argued that the "journey to Jerusalem" which many believe to be a literary device is also a theological expression. It is a Wilderness Teaching Journey. It begins with a Mosaic act - the sending out of the Seventy Throughout the 'Journey', moreover, the figure of Moses is nearly always present along with Deuteronomic traditions and teaching. Aliusions to Deuteronomy are so plentiful that we concede that the Section is a kind of Christian Deuteronomy. The predicted end of Jerusalem as described by Luke 21:20-34 parallels at several points the predicted end of the nation as recorded in Deut. 28. There appears to be a correspondence in relating the and of the nation with the death of Moses, the end of Jerusalem with the death of Jesus. When the verses of Mark are taken out of Luke 21:20-34 there remains a narrative which coheres. In the latter we find many Deuteronomic insights and traditions. When we examine the Temptation narrative we note the order moving from Galilee to Jerusalem which is the order of Jesus' ministry, according to St. Luke. There appears to be more of Deuteronomy behind the narrative than the mere quotation of the Deuteronomic texts. Here is re-enacted the temptation of Israel in the Wilderness. The temptations which caused Israel to fail in time past met their conqueror in Jesus. According to Luke, Jesus moves toward Jerusalem to make the 'exodus' which Israel could not.

Text in German; abstract in German and English / Diese Studie untersucht die Gerichts- und Heilsverkündigung innerhalb des Lukasevangeliums, um herauszufinden, wie der Zusammenhang von Heil und Gericht dargestellt wird, welche Vorstellung von Gericht und Heil der ideale Rezipient gewinnen sollte und mit welcher Funktion bzw. Zielsetzung diese Aussagen gebraucht werden. Sind Heil und Gericht dabei zwei Seiten der gleichen Medaille oder liegen unterschiedliche Konzepte vor, die nicht wesentlich miteinander verknüpft sind? Dazu werden zentrale Texte des Lukasevangeliums, in denen sowohl eine Gerichts- als auch eine Heilsperspektive vermittelt werden, mit Hilfe der narrativen Exegese analysiert. Dem detaillierten Vergleich folgt eine Zusammenfassung der lukanischen Darstellung von Heil und Gericht. Die Studie endet mit einer kritischen Diskussion über die Auswirkungen auf die christliche Verkündigung in unserer Zeit. / This study examines the understanding of salvation and judgement in Luke’s Gospel. How is the correlation between salvation and judgement described, which perception should the ideal recipients gain, and for which function or intention are these statements used? Are salvation and judgement two sides of one coin or are they different concepts which are not linked? For this purpose, key texts which address both salvation and judgement are analysed by applying narrative- critical methodology. A detailed comparison is followed by a summary of the Lukan portrayal of salvation and judgement. The dissertation closes with a critical discussion of the implications for Christian proclamation in our day and age. / Biblical and Ancient studies / M. Th. (New Testament)

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ABSTRACT (deutsch) Das Lukasevangelium ist ein literarisches Werk in Form einer Erzählung. Die Pharisäer spielen darin eine zentrale Rolle als wichtigste Gruppe der Gegenspieler Jesu. Die Methode der narrativen Exegese ist daher geeignet, die Darstellung der Pharisäer zu analysieren und eine literarische Charakterisierung vorzunehmen. Eine Untersuchung aller Texte des Lukasevangeliums, in denen Pharisäer erwähnt werden, ergibt ein komplexes und facettenreiches Pharisäerporträt. Die Pharisäer werden primär negativ dargestellt, als religiöse Führer, die die göttliche Sendung Jesu, seine Vollmacht und seinen Auftrag, nicht erkennen und ablehnen. Die Pharisäer haben eine Kontrastfunktion innerhalb der Gesamterzählung des Lukasevangeliums. Sie dienen als Negativfolie, auf der die Bedeutung der Hauptfigur Jesus umso heller aufleuchtet. Ein Merkmal des Lukasevangeliums ist jedoch, dass dieses primär negative Bild durch die erzählerische Darstellung mehrfach abgeschwächt wird. Der Erzähler zeichnet kein einseitiges Pharisäerbild (flat character), sondern differenziert deutlich (mehr als die anderen Synoptiker). Er verzichtet bei der Präsentation ihres Verhaltens und ihrer Worte weitgehend auf explizit feindliche Aspekte. Er deutet eine relative Nähe zwischen Jesus und den Pharisäern an. Eine abschließende negative Wertung oder Verurteilung der Pharisäer unterbleibt. Auffällig ist die komplette Auslassung der Rolle der Pharisäer beim Prozess gegen Jesus. Die Reaktion Jesu auf die Pharisäer ist geprägt von Milde und Hoffnung, trotz vereinzelter scharfer Auseinandersetzungen. Jesus ist bei allen Begegnungen mit den Pharisäern bemüht, ihnen zur Erkenntnis seiner Person als göttlichem Gesandten zu verhelfen und sie zur Umkehr zu bewegen. ABSTRACT (english) The Gospel of Luke is a literary work in narrative form in which the Pharisees play a central role as the most important group in opposition to Jesus. Thus narrative exegesis is an appropriate method to analyse the presentation of the Pharisees and to undertake a literary characterisation of their role. An examination of all the texts in Luke's Gospel which mention the Pharisees yields a complex, multi-facetted portrait of the Pharisees. The Pharisees, characterised primarily negatively as religious leaders, neither recognise nor acknowledge the divine mission of Jesus, nor his authority nor mandate. Rather the Pharisees function in juxtaposition to Christ and his ministry within the overall narrative of Luke's Gospel. They serve as a negative backdrop against which the central figure of Jesus appears all the more significant, indeed even radiant. However, it is one trait of Luke's Gospel that this primarily negative picture is repeatedly softened by the narrative presentation. The narrator does not paint a one-sided picture of the Pharisees (flat character) but differentiates clearly in his presentation (more than the other Synoptic Gospels do). In his presentation of the Pharisees' behaviour and words the author to a large extent forgoes mentioning explicitly hostile aspects, but rather intimates the relative proximity between Jesus and the Pharisees. There is no final negative evaluation or judgement passed on the Pharisees. It is noteworthy that there is a complete omission of the role of the Pharisees in the legal proceedings and court trials against Jesus. Jesus' reaction to the Pharisees is nevertheless one of gentleness and hope, despite a few acrimonious conflicts recounted in the narrative. In all of his encounters with Pharisees Jesus endeavours to help them recognise himself as divine envoy and to move them to repentance. / New Testament / M.Th.