the role of the lukan parables in terms of the purpose of luke's gospel

was modeled on that of Israel, and by demonstrating how God was faithful to his promise
through restoring Israel, Luke assured his Gentile readers that they could gain confidence in
all the things that they had already been instructed in (Luke 1:4). 62
However, it is
problematic that he revolves around a question of theodicy in order to resolve the dilemma of
Jewish rejection and Gentile acceptance of the gospel. Rather, God, throughout Luke-Acts is
the one who legitimates, not the one who needs to be legitimated.
1-10. An effort at conciliation with Judaism
Not satisfied with the conventional theory that Luke hopelessly abandons the Jew because of
their stubbornness against the gospel, R.L. Brawley advances a counter proposal that Luke
apologetically deals with Jewish antagonism, and offers conciliation. He proposes that the
Nazareth story of Jesus in Luke 4:16-30 serves a literary function in the rejection of Jesus,
since their refusal establishes his identity as a prophet who is filled by the Holy Spirit, and
not least of all as the one who makes messianic claims. Along this line, the literary purpose of
the rejection of Paul by some Jews is of equal significance. Luke seeks to explain empirically
why Paul goes to the Gentiles with respect to the objection to Pauline universalism. After all,
63
Jewish obstinacy gives great impetus to Paul in turning to the Gentiles. In spite of their
rejection by a large and influential segment of Judaism, Luke tries to show how Jesus
qualifies as messiah. Furthermore, “Paul’s behavior and the mission of the church that
includes Gentiles are, for Luke, unequivocally appropriate to the fulfillment of Israel’s
destiny.” 64 In so doing, Luke is not so much to set gentile Christianity free, but link it to
Judaism. In addition, Luke is not rejecting the Jews, but appealing to them. Luke’s purpose
has, in fact, both sides - apologetic and conciliation. With respect to apologetic, the Jewish
opposition plays a legitimating role in establishing Jesus’ identity and in prompting Paul’s
Gentile mission. On the other hand, in relation to conciliation, Paul follows Jewish rituals,
and according to the apostolic decree, Gentiles are required to make concessions to Jewish
Christians, and in addition, the Pharisees are painted conspicuously positively. 65
1-11. A defense of Paul
J. Jervell contends that Acts as a religious apologetic work is primarily addressed to
62. Ibid., 10.
63. Brawley, Luke-Acts and the Jews: Conflict, Apology, and Conciliation, 6-27, 28-50.
64. Ibid., 155-159, here 159.
65. Ibid., 157-58.
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