Abstract
For those interested in discovering theology in the book of Acts, this volume needs to be in their library. Theology is not the only focus in Acts; it is also a history of the early Church. Padilla disagrees with the viewpoint that “since we can’t know with certainty who the author is, it is irrelevant as to who the author is to interpret the text” (p. 31). He unequivocally shows that it is important to know the author (Luke) as that will date the book to a definite time period. This leads to a discussion of the genre of Acts as a historical monograph: a history of a specific time, place, and actors.
Luke’s main vehicle for introducing theology is the speeches of Acts. Padilla highlights five of the speeches (2.1–42; 7.1–53; 10.34–48; 17.16–31; and 26.1–32) and draws from them a Trinitarian theology of the Godhead at work in history. His treatment of verifying the authenticity of the sermons is a major strength of the book.
Throughout, Luke is highlighted as both a historian and a theologian who had specific goals. One is to “show that the Scriptures are most persuasively fulfilled in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus” (p. 192). Another is political in that Luke portrays Christianity as being non-seditious, “The Christian message challenges society, but it does not—and should not—foment insurrection” (p. 194). A third goal is highlighting the missional aspect of Acts. Again, Padilla uses the sermons of Acts to provide examples of how Christians could respond to non-believers in both Jewish and Gentile contexts.
The book is helpful in explaining various positions that tend to dilute Acts as a useful volume, postliberalism being the main focus of that discussion. One drawback to the Padilla’s book is that it limits its full benefits to those who understand Greek, as many Greek words and full sentences are left untranslated. Otherwise, the book is well-written, easy to read, and should find its way to seminary libraries.