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

Abstract
For the most part, Lukan parables have been examined primarily as individual parables
without any attempt to connect them to the purpose of Luke’s Gospel. I propose, therefore, in
this dissertation, to go further than that by examining the role of the Lukan parables within
the purpose of Luke’s Gospel, in the hope that the unique features of the Lukan parables will
give us clues as to Luke’s overall purpose. After a brief survey of the historical research into
the Lukan parables, and a methodological consideration for a study of the parables, the focus
of this study will be a detailed analysis of the Lukan parables.
Furthermore, in order to find a unifying motif for the Lukan parables, I will examine the
theological themes of these parables, and the function and role of the Lukan parables in the
travel narrative of the Gospel of Luke. I will propose, as a result, that a unifying motif for the
Lukan parables is ‘Perspectives on the Christian life’. This comprises the relationship with
one’s neighbours: Love and forgiveness; one’s relationship to material possessions; their right
use; and relationship with God: Faith and repentance. Since the Christian life is one of the
two pivotal themes of the travel narrative, and the theological themes of the Lukan parables
converge on the Christian life, I will propose that the Lukan parables function clearly as
instruction about the Christian life: That the Lukan parables were evidently intended by Luke
to teach what it means to follow Jesus, and how Christians should live in the world. Hence
the unifying motif of the Lukan Parables: ‘Perspectives on the Christian life.’
I will therefore research the role of the Lukan parables within the purpose of Luke’s
Gospel. After surveying the many proposals about the purpose of Luke-Acts, I will suggest
that Luke wrote to reassure his readers of the gospel that had already been preached and
taught to them, especially under the detailed discussion of God’s plan. I will propose that
Luke’s intention is to write a story of the continuation and fulfillment of God’s plan, which
brings salvation to all people, that is, the redemptive purpose of God. In short, Luke seeks to
reassure his readers of the gospel by presenting God’s plan of salvation.
Finally, I will make two proposals for the role of the Lukan parables in the purpose of
Luke’s Gospel: The role of the Lukan parables as one facet in making concrete God’s
redemptive purpose, and the role of the Lukan parables in serving to accomplish God’s
redemptive purpose. Here, I will examine the role of the Lukan parables particularly within
God’s redemptive purpose, since Luke seeks to reassure his readers of the gospel with the
pattern of God’s plan of salvation.
348