A Public and Political Christ

Synopsis:
Was Jesus a public figure? A political figure? Yes, according to Luke's gospel, Jesus was a Christ who was both public and political. Recent developments in the theory and practice of the study of space have provided tools to classify ancient social-spatial spheres with greater nuance and depth. A broad survey of literary and archaeological resources in the ancient world, as well as an in-depth look at Plutarch's Political Precepts and Philostratus's Life of Apollonius, reveals that the familiar dichotomy of public and private does not suffice to describe the Hellenistic-Roman milieu that shaped the author and audience of the third gospel.

This study employs social-spatial analysis to explore how Luke uses the power of place to portray Jesus frequently engaging the unofficial public sphere and local politics, specifically in 18:35--19:43--the public healing of the blind beggar, the unexpected impact of Zacchaeus's hospitality, the political implications of the parable of the king and his subjects, and the publicity and politics of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. The result is an illuminating look at the overall spatial character of Luke's gospel, the development of Christianity in the latter half of the first century, and the role of place in contemporary Christianity.

Endorsements:
"More than just another account of the portrait of Jesus, Bart Bruehler's A Public and Political Christ offers a fresh glimpse into the Lukan portrait of Jesus in light of his convincing reevaluation of the ancient social-spatial spheres of public, political, and private. This work deftly balances detailed study of a significant transitional section of the Lukan Gospel with the broader portrait of Jesus and its narrative role in that Gospel. Here is a new voice in Lukan and Gospel studies to whom we need to listen!"
--Richard P. Thompson
Professor of New Testament
Northwest Nazarene University

"The breadth of this book is immense. Bruehler brings thorough research and balanced judgment to bear in this study that probes hermeneutical method, Lucan theology, and the political character of Jesus' ministry. I recommend it most highly."
--David R. Bauer
Ralph Waldo Beeson Professor of Inductive Biblical Studies
Asbury Theological Seminary

Author Biography:
Bart B. Bruehler is Visiting Professor of New Testament at Indiana Wesleyan University.