The Power of Example: Following Jesus on the Path of Spirituality in Luke-Acts
Luke sets up Jesus as an example of spirituality in Luke-Acts. In Luke, Jesus does not simply tell his disciples to adopt spiritual practices; he models them, inviting readers to imitate him as well. The first century world was familiar with the power of example. Leaders in Luke’s literary world wer...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Religions |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/14/2/161 |
| _version_ | 1797618424803753984 |
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| author | Catherine Wright |
| author_facet | Catherine Wright |
| author_sort | Catherine Wright |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Luke sets up Jesus as an example of spirituality in Luke-Acts. In Luke, Jesus does not simply tell his disciples to adopt spiritual practices; he models them, inviting readers to imitate him as well. The first century world was familiar with the power of example. Leaders in Luke’s literary world were often idealized because they taught or legislated not just through words, but through the virtuous example of their lives. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus invites his followers to follow him on the pathway to prayer and simplicity in a similar manner. Like the Lukan Jesus, Numa and Lycurgus, Plutarch’s legendary kings, legislate piety and simplicity through their own lifestyles during their lifetimes. Plutarch devotes significant attention to the issue of their influence after their deaths. Luke’s authorial audience also might have wondered how the powerful effect of Jesus’ exemplary instruction might be sustained after his crucifixion and ascension. In Acts, we see that Jesus’ followers have internalized his instruction and example of prayer and simplicity through the power of the Holy Spirit, adopting Jesus’ spiritual patterns as their own. Early receptions of Lukan texts on prayer and simplicity in Luke-Acts show that the early church continues to follow this practice, looking to Jesus as a model of spirituality for their own lives and the lives of their communities. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T08:13:40Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-49e6036f1f134088aeb894f0e0dac9c8 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2077-1444 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T08:13:40Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Religions |
| spelling | doaj.art-49e6036f1f134088aeb894f0e0dac9c82023-11-16T22:58:58ZengMDPI AGReligions2077-14442023-01-0114216110.3390/rel14020161The Power of Example: Following Jesus on the Path of Spirituality in Luke-ActsCatherine Wright0Biblical & Theological Studies, Bethel University, St. Paul, MN 55112, USALuke sets up Jesus as an example of spirituality in Luke-Acts. In Luke, Jesus does not simply tell his disciples to adopt spiritual practices; he models them, inviting readers to imitate him as well. The first century world was familiar with the power of example. Leaders in Luke’s literary world were often idealized because they taught or legislated not just through words, but through the virtuous example of their lives. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus invites his followers to follow him on the pathway to prayer and simplicity in a similar manner. Like the Lukan Jesus, Numa and Lycurgus, Plutarch’s legendary kings, legislate piety and simplicity through their own lifestyles during their lifetimes. Plutarch devotes significant attention to the issue of their influence after their deaths. Luke’s authorial audience also might have wondered how the powerful effect of Jesus’ exemplary instruction might be sustained after his crucifixion and ascension. In Acts, we see that Jesus’ followers have internalized his instruction and example of prayer and simplicity through the power of the Holy Spirit, adopting Jesus’ spiritual patterns as their own. Early receptions of Lukan texts on prayer and simplicity in Luke-Acts show that the early church continues to follow this practice, looking to Jesus as a model of spirituality for their own lives and the lives of their communities.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/14/2/161Luke-ActsGospel of Lukebook of actsprayersimplicityphilosopher king |
| spellingShingle | Catherine Wright The Power of Example: Following Jesus on the Path of Spirituality in Luke-Acts Religions Luke-Acts Gospel of Luke book of acts prayer simplicity philosopher king |
| title | The Power of Example: Following Jesus on the Path of Spirituality in Luke-Acts |
| title_full | The Power of Example: Following Jesus on the Path of Spirituality in Luke-Acts |
| title_fullStr | The Power of Example: Following Jesus on the Path of Spirituality in Luke-Acts |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Power of Example: Following Jesus on the Path of Spirituality in Luke-Acts |
| title_short | The Power of Example: Following Jesus on the Path of Spirituality in Luke-Acts |
| title_sort | power of example following jesus on the path of spirituality in luke acts |
| topic | Luke-Acts Gospel of Luke book of acts prayer simplicity philosopher king |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/14/2/161 |
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