Who Are the Righteous?: The Narrative Function of the Dikaioi in the Gospel of Luke

Denise Powell explores Luke's answer to the question of who is righteous and how one becomes righteous by tracing the "righteous" characters sequentially through the Gospel narrative. Luke establishes the characteristics of the righteous by portraying Zechariah and Elizabeth, Mary, Simeon, and Anna as righteous at the beginning, leading to uncertainty over who belongs in the category when later stories contrast an ostensibly righteous character with a "sinner." Jesus intentionally places himself in the "sinner" category in fulfillment of Scripture, with implications for all the sinners in the Lukan story.

Format: Hardback
Length: 170 pages
Publication date: 28 September 2021
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

In the realm of Pauline studies, the topic of righteousness and its attainment remains a subject of intense debate, while the Gospels seldom delve into this profound inquiry. In her captivating book, Denise Powell takes on the task of exploring Luke's response to this question by meticulously tracing the progression of his "righteous" characters throughout the Gospel narrative. Through the portrayal of Zechariah and Elizabeth, Mary, Simeon, and Anna as righteous at the outset, Luke establishes the defining characteristics of the righteous. The primacy effect, a psychological phenomenon, ensures that these birth narrative characters become the benchmark against which the righteousness of subsequent characters is measured. However, this creates a sense of ambiguity when later stories juxtapose an ostensibly righteous character with a "sinner." This growing uncertainty serves as the backdrop for the centurion's declaration that Jesus is "righteous." By employing the "sword discourse" of 22:35-38 and the subsequent arrest scene, Jesus intentionally aligns himself with sinners, and they, in turn, embrace him. This pivotal act has far-reaching implications for all the sinners within the Lukan story. Through his solidarity with them, Jesus offers a path to redemption and reconciliation, demonstrating that righteousness can be found even in the depths of sin.

Weight: 454g
Dimension: 229 x 158 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781978712577