Theology through Community: Luke's Portrayal of the Role of the First-Century Community of Believers in Theological Creativity

In this study, we will demonstrate Luke's portrayal of the role of the first-century community of believers in theological creativity. By approaching Acts as a form of first-century novel and by using literary conventions of storytelling, we will show that theological creativity for Luke is the act of reformulating formerly-held theological concepts in light of testimony concerning the Spirit's active presence---that is, the Spirit's evidential work. Furthermore, we will see that Luke's method of characterization reveals the role of the first-century community of believers in an interpretive process involving Spirit--Community--Scripture. In order to establish the manner in which Luke characterizes the role of the community in his narrative tale, we will utilize Baruch Hochman's literary categories of action and conflict as inherent qualities within narrative characters. We will see how the community, as a character in the story of Acts, interacts with both scripture and its own experience in the process of theological creativity. The selected passages---(1) Acts 1:12--26; (2) 4:23--31; (3) 6:1--7; (4) 15:1--35; and (5) 11:27--30, 13:1--4, and 21:4, 8--14---feature the community as an active and important character in Luke's story. In each episode, the community as a character is substantive, identifiable, engaged in the action and conflict, and not passive or merely assumed. By focusing on each passage it will be seen that Luke, as a storyteller, uses the community to engage other characters and confirm divine actions. In regard to the Renewal Movement's interest in the role of community in the interpretive interaction between Spirit--Community--Scripture, Luke's view of the community in theological creativity offers balance to any concern that the community overshadows either scripture or Spirit in the interpretive process.