Give an explanation of the genre of the book of Acts as theological history. What are the
implications for this particular genre on the interpretation of the book?
How does the reader differentiate between the theology and the history in the book? What
kinds of things should an interpreter look for in Acts so as to understand properly the
message of the book?
Readers must recognize that Luke wrote Acts as an historical account; however, for this account
was for theological purposes. This means Luke created a narrative of events, which detail the
actions of God and different characters, both positive and negative. To differentiate between
theology from history, the reader must read each passage in light of the entirety of Acts and the
New Testament. In the book of Acts, Luke provides a narrative of the expanse of Christianity
after the crucifixion of Christ. He divides his narrative into six separate division or episodes.3
According to Klein, Blomberg, and Hubbard, for a person to properly interpret Acts we must first
relate a particular episode to Luke’s outline and developing theme.
In your opinion, should Acts be read for doctrinal purposes? Why or why not? Please give
examples from the book of Acts.
I would assert that Acts should be read for doctrinal purposes and 2 Timothy 3:16 support this
claim when Paul wrote, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for
reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness…” Furthermore, in the book of Acts, we
find great sermons by Peter (2:22-29) and Paul (13:26-41). These sermons such as Peter’s at
Pentecost, which were directed to the biblical audience, contain deep doctrinal truths regarding
the person and work of Christ.
1 Bock, Darrell L. Acts. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2007.
2 Klein, William W., Craig L. Blomberg, and Robert L. Hubbard Jr. Introduction to Biblical Interpretation. Grand
Rapids: Zondervan , 2017.
3 Ibid.
Forum #5 Question #1
Luke, the author of the book of Acts, has been regarded by many scholars as a historian in the
ancient mold, whose historiography is rooted more in Jewish models than in Greco Roman
models.1 In the first of his two part work, his Gospel, Luke provided a theological biography
where he chose to focus on the person and work of Christ. However, in the book of Acts, Luke
provides a narrative of the interrelated events from a given place and time, which he chose to
communicate theological truths.2 In comparison to theological biography, a theological history
has a broader scope and details events in numerous key figures such as the apostles Peter and
Paul. In contrast to modern history which seeks to a chronological historical sequence, Luke
seeks to collect and communicate to readers what he believed God was doing in the world and
what God was commanding believers to do in and through the events he detailed.
