Formation of the New Israel and Its Mission In Luke-Acts
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Date
2002-02
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Tangaza University College.
Abstract
It was just a few days before Christmas 2000 that Stephen alma, student of
Law at Nairobi University and active member of the youth group at Consolata Holy
Trinity Church. Kileleshwa, approached me with questions that troubled him.
Stephen fired one question after the other
do not understand at all the relationship
between the God of Israel and the Christian God. How did the God of Israel become
the God of Christians? Are we Israelites or are we Christians? I am really confused.
Is there any possibility of tracing the relationship between the two from a purely
biblical point of viewr
Stephen's questions led me down a deep reflective path. I turned to Luke
who wrote predominantly for Gentiles, many of whom probably also wondered, like
Ouma. about the connection between the Israel of Old and the New Israel? Perhaps
more than any other New Testament writer, Luke goes to great lengths to show his
readers what constitute a New Israel. This work comes as the fruit of this reflection.
However, the essay as such does not deal with the relationship between the God of
Israel and that of the other nations. Rather, it attempts to analyse the fidelity of God
to the divine promises made to Israel and to show how the New Israel that emerges
out of the biblical people of God, is a fulfilment of these promises. I do not claim
that I have discussed in this essay all the core values that both the OT and Luke
narrate regarding the formation of the New Israel. Nevertheless, I have attempted to
say something on most of them, at least in passing. My hope is that readers of this essay will come to understand how the New Israel that emerges out of the Old Israel
is a testament of God's faithfulness.
The essay has been divided into three chapters. Chapter one briefly presents
OT background which I believe has played a significant role in the development of
Lucan theology. It deals with the covenantal relationship between Yahweh mid
Israel that has its future expectation based on prophecies and promises. Chapter two
has two local points. First. it takes up these promises and prophecies as Mey climax
!n the person of Jesus in the Lucan writings, and second, it shows how Luke portrays
the formation of the New Israel. The third chapter deals with how the mission ot
Jesus continues through the new community, making salvation available to all.
As far as the biblical texts in this essay are concerned RSV is used.
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Keywords
Formation, Israel, Mission