{"id":14329,"date":"2020-05-28T08:15:50","date_gmt":"2020-05-28T16:15:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/admin.patheos.com\/blogs\/cruxsola\/?p=14329"},"modified":"2020-07-10T06:56:43","modified_gmt":"2020-07-10T14:56:43","slug":"book-of-acts-5-academic-books-every-pastor-should-read","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/cruxsola\/2020\/05\/book-of-acts-5-academic-books-every-pastor-should-read\/","title":{"rendered":"Book of Acts: 5 Academic Books Every Pastor Should Read"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

Book of Acts<\/h1>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

C. Kavin Rowe,\u00a0World Upside Down: Reading Acts in the Graeco-Roman Age<\/span><\/h2>\n

This was nothing short of a transformative study for me and has significantly shaped how I look at Acts. Very well-written and engaging, but quite academic. This book expects a reader who has advanced biblical studies education (UG Bible major or seminary training). I have used this before as a textbook, and I would not hesitate to use it again if I taught a course on Acts.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

<\/a>\"\"<\/p>\n

Mikeal Parsons,\u00a0Body and Character in Luke and Acts: The Subversion of Physiognomy in Early Christianity<\/em><\/h2>\n

The official book description says it best: \u201cIn the ancient world, it was commonly believed that outward appearance provided clues to inner character. The \u201cscience\u201d relating physical appearance to moral character is called physiognomy\u2026.Luke [in Luke and Acts] ultimately denies that any direct line can be drawn between physical appearance and moral character.\u201d This has such a crucial relevant to the image-conscious world of today.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

<\/a>\"\"<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Loveday Alexander,\u00a0Acts in Its Ancient Literary Context<\/em><\/h2>\n

OK, in an ideal world I recommend \u201caffordable\u201d books, but I couldn\u2019t help but promote the excellent work of Loveday. She is a recognized historian and one of the top Acts scholars in the world. This collection of studies on Acts in context is superb.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

<\/a>\"\"<\/p>\n

Matthew Skinner,\u00a0Intrusive God, Disruptive Gospel: Encountering the Divine in the Book of Acts<\/em><\/h2>\n

This is a dynamic and inspiring theological reading of Acts. This would be a great Bible study or Sunday school book for a group.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

<\/a>\"\"<\/p>\n

Joshua Jipp,\u00a0Saved by Hospitality and Faith<\/em><\/h2>\n

An illuminating study of the theological themes of divine and human hospitality in Paul and Luke-Acts. This would be great for a church staff group study.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

<\/a>\"\"<\/p>\n

Luke Timothy Johnson,\u00a0Prophetic Jesus, Prophetic Church<\/em><\/h2>\n

I am adding a sixth here, because it overlaps Luke-Acts. I mentioned this as a \u201cmust-have\u201d for studying Luke, and the same goes for Acts. I would propose that pastors buy Rowe and Johnson as the first two things they read on Acts for thinking about ministry and Christian life in the world.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

<\/a>\"\"<\/p>\n

<\/h2>\n

Other Helpful Resources<\/h1>\n

Joshua Jipp,\u00a0Reading Acts<\/em><\/h2>\n

Jipp has distinguished himself as a trusted Acts scholar, here with an accessible introduction. I also really like the cover.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

<\/a>\"\"<\/p>\n

Loveday Alexander,\u00a0Acts<\/em><\/h2>\n

This is a fantastic Bible study on Acts, unfortunately Out of Print, so look for a used copy online.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

<\/a>\"\"<\/p>\n

Willie Jennings,\u00a0Acts<\/em> (Belief)<\/h2>\n

OK, I said I wouldn\u2019t recommend commentaries here, but this is more like a set of reflections on Christian life via the book of Acts. From the description: \u201cJennings explores the relevance of the book of Acts for the struggles of today. While some see Acts as the story of the founding of the Christian church, Jennings argues that it is so much more, depicting revolution life in the disrupting presence of the Spirit of God. According to Jennings, Acts is like Genesis, revealing a God who is moving over the land, \u201cputting into place a holy repetition that speaks of the willingness of God to invade our every day and our every moment.\u201d He reminds us that Acts took place in a time of Empire, when the people were caught between diaspora Israel and the Empire of Rome. The spirit of God intervened, offering new life to both. Jennings shows that Acts teaches how people of faith can yield to the Spirit to overcome the divisions of our present world.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

<\/a>\"\"<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Brittany Wilson,\u00a0Unmanly Men<\/em><\/h2>\n

I mentioned this as a top book to read for Luke, and the same goes for Acts.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

<\/a>\"\"<\/p>\n

Heidi Hornik and Mikeal Parsons,\u00a0Acts through the Centuries<\/em><\/p>\n

A bit pricey, but a must-have resource for studying Acts for pastors, students, and scholars.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

<\/a>\"\"<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Book of Acts \u00a0 C. Kavin Rowe,\u00a0World Upside Down: Reading Acts in the Graeco-Roman Age This was nothing short of a transformative study for me and has significantly shaped how I look at Acts. Very well-written and engaging, but quite academic. This book expects a reader who has advanced biblical studies education (UG Bible major […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4302,"featured_media":14219,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2171,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14329","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-5-books-series","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nBook of Acts: 5 Academic Books Every Pastor Should Read<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Book of Acts   C. 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