The First Christian Historian: Writing the 'Act of the Apostles' - Book Review

Contemporary Review, Jan, 2003

Writing the 'Acts of the Apostles'. Daniel Marguerat. Cambridge University Press. [pound sterling]45.00. 299 pages. ISBN 0-521-81650-5. This volume, part of the Society for New Testament Studies' Monograph Series, proceeds on the assertion that St Luke, not Eusebius of Caesarea, was the first Christian historian.

But, M. Marguerat asks, what kind of historian? To answer this question he combines historical criticism and narrative criticism: St Luke has to be understood by understanding his times. But St Luke the historian was also an individual who organised his materials and developed his themes in his own way. One can only get to St Luke's theology and views by fully understanding what he has written, that is, his narrative. Prof. Marguerat discusses how St Luke wrote history, his point of view, the 'unity' of the Gospel and the Book of Acts, the relationship between Jerusalem and Rome, St Luke's view of God, the role of the Holy Spirit, the conflict with the Jews, the story of Ananias and Sapphira, St Paul's conversion, the 'enigma' of the end of Acts and the importance of travel and travellers in Acts. This is a masterful, carefully written and well organised study, fully equal to the high standards already set by this series. (A.G.)