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

problems, and that it is fairly hard to accept the following proposals as the purpose of Luke-
Acts as a whole: A defense of Paul, an anti-Gnostic concern, evangelism, an explanation of
the parousia’s delay, an apologetic for religio licita status, a political apologia pro ecclesia,
an apologia pro imperio, a theodicy of God’s faithfulness to Israel, an effort at conciliation
with Judaism. To put it differently, even though these can be one of the key aspects of Luke’s
agenda, it fails to fit Luke’s principle, conscious aim, since there is a lot more to it in Luke-
Acts. Most importantly, it can be pointed out that some of them ignore the unity of Luke-Acts
in attempting to determine the purpose of Luke. Therefore, as an alternative option for the
purpose of Luke’s Gospel, I have proposed that Luke wrote to reassure, especially under the
detailed discussion of God’s plan, his readers of the gospel that has already been preached
and taught to them. Luke’s aim for certainty is consistently unfolded in God’s plan of
salvation which in the Gospel begins with the story of the Baptist’s and Jesus’ birth, and in
Acts continues with the extension of the church into Rome. Luke’s project is not to simply
write the story of Jesus and the early church, but that of the continuation and fulfillment of
God’s design which brings salvation to all people, the redemptive purpose of God. In short,
Luke strives to reassure his readers of the gospel by presenting God’s plan of salvation.
God’s plan of salvation in Luke-Acts has three features: The continuation and fulfillment
of God’s plan, the opposition to God’s plan, and the certainty of God’s plan. Firstly, Luke
gives clear proof of its divine origin and desires to show us that the divine plan in Luke-Acts
is rooted in the old authoritative story of Israel, always keeping the continuation of God’s
plan in his mind. God’s plan foretold in the Scriptures is not only continuous, but also
fulfilled in and through Jesus, as well as in his followers. Secondly, of course, Luke’s
presentation of God’s plan indicates that other purposes against God’s design are also at work.
The opposition to God’s purpose occurs primarily in human and spiritual opponents.
Nevertheless, thirdly, Luke strives to assure us that God’s design will be accomplished at all
costs. God’s purpose, in reality, triumphs over evil forces and the plots of opponents. Even
hostility to Jesus is employed in the service of God. In conclusion, Luke strives to reassure
his readers, like Theophilus, that God directs his plan, and redemptive aim, in spite of
opposition, and that his plan will certainly be accomplished under His initiative.
Finally, I have proposed two aspects for the role of the Lukan parables in the purpose of
Luke’s Gospel: The role of the Lukan parables as one facet of concretizing God’s redemptive
purpose, and the role of the Lukan parables in serving to accomplish God’s redemptive
purpose. Here, I have examined the role of the Lukan parables in God’s redemptive purpose,
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