Luke: The Gospel of Amazement (The Biblical Imagination Series)

Who doesn’t cherish the memories of gathering around together as a family either on Christmas Eve or on Christmas morning to read the story of Jesus’ birth found in the Gospel of Luke. Furthermore, many have fond memories of participating in a church or school Christmas play for which the account of the birth of Jesus found in Luke’s Gospel formed the basis for the script. In the first installment of the outstanding Biblical Imagination Series by musician and author Michael Card rightly called Luke: The Gospel of Amazement, the reader is taken on a journey through the pages of the Gospel of Luke that takes the reader into the world of those who first encountered this carpenter from Nazareth, the Messiah sent to earth who changed the world and saved us from sin.I have long been a fan of Michael Card’s musical career and have been aware of his ability to put pen to paper to fashion truly amazing lyrics that have addressed in a lyrical narrative manner through the years matters of great biblical importance. It has only been recently that I have discovered the concomitant book writing skills of Card, in particular his Biblical Imagination Series. Card’s treatment of the Gospel of Luke is scholarly yet accessible, in-depth without being overdone, and most importantly his effort engages the reader into the life and ministry of Jesus in a way that is often missing from many commentaries these days.Card begins this book by examining what is known and what can be ascertained about Luke, the author of the Gospel being examined. It was interesting to read about the possibility of Luke being a slave, something I personally was not aware was an idea with some validity behind it. Card also notes the likelihood that Luke was a Gentile which bears some level of importance especially when considering the audience to which this particular Gospel was addressed. Additionally, something that a musician such as Card would pick up on, Luke seemed to enjoy songs given he relayed several singing events in the early chapters of his gospel by people such as Mary, Zechariah, the angels, and Simeon. These are all interesting background elements that help the reader understand who Luke the author was and why he included elements of the life of Christ in his Gospel that are not found in the other gospel accounts.Before engaging the text of Luke, Card also analyzes the major themes of this gospel, rooting his discussion on the overarching aspect of the word amazement. He notes “There are five Greek words that can be translated “amazed”, and only Luke uses every one of them. Sometimes he uses two different worlds in the same sentence.” Card mentions that fact not as a throw away piece of information or something that can be used for Bible trivia. Conversely, he notes the reality that we must ask the question “Why am I not amazed” followed by the need as we read through the Gospel of Luke to “rediscover a sense of wonder and amazement at this remarkable, mysterious, amazing person called Jesus. With Luke, we might just begin to ask the world, “Is he not amazing?”There is much to enjoy in Card’s treatment of Luke so I will endeavor to not a few highlights that stuck out to me as I worked through this book the first being the way in which Card expertly weaves in historical information about the passage in question as he examines what Luke is trying to get across. For example, in discussing the events of Luke 11:37-54, a passage where the Pharisees yet again try to trap Jesus with some finer point of the law, Card aptly outlines for the reader the two schools of Pharisaic thought during Jesus’ day, noting in particular “The Pharisees with whom Jesus continually locked horns, like the host of this meal, were the house of Shammai.” That type of information, while seemingly unimportant, is in reality quite valuable to know given the opposing school of Pharisaic thought, the school of Hillel, was often the one Jesus sided with the most thus creating a point of tension that must be noted in this particular pericope.Another valuable aspect of Card’s effort is quite simply the manner in which he writes. He has the ability to take complex theological topics and to break them down in a way that truly drives right to the heart of what the biblical author is saying that most importantly does not lose the reader in translation. Card certainly shares a number of matters of Jewish history and thought as well as investigating word meanings such as shoshabin, the friend of the bridegroom who traditionally would escort the bride to the bridal chamber. Notably, while he shares that important background information, it is always with the intent of focusing the reader on the greater message being provided by Luke. Card does not waste words by going down rabbit trails with his thoughts or by sharing personal stories that little if anything to do with the text. His analysis is continuously purposeful while at the same time drawing the reader into the world of the first century to the point where you truly feel like you are right there listening to the words of Jesus.Anyone desiring to understand the message found in the Gospel of Luke should read this book. Michael Card truly is a gifted writer and he wonderfully drives home the reality that the Gospel of Luke is one that outlines our amazing Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I highly recommend this book and the other two books currently available in this series as they are valuable for personal Bible study, personal devotions, small group Bible study or any other endeavor that has as its purpose the careful and purposeful examination of the Gospel of Luke.

Remember the dazzled, amazed look in a child's eye when their imagination really gets going? When you're reading that silly book with talking animals and they look up at you with a query like, "Can dogs really talk?" That's the purest form of imagination.Dictionary.com says imagination is: the faculty of imagining, or of forming mental images or concepts of what is not actually present to the senses.Dictionary.com: Informed: having or prepared with information or knowledgeIn Michael's book he calls on the reader to use his "informed imagination." My first collision with Michael's use of the word "imagination" in reference to the Bible, had me concerned. I know people who consider the Bible to be a moralist, fictional story. They believe it was composed by various writers' lively imaginations and strung together to make a point: live a good life. Fortunately, as I continued to read, that is not Michael's approach.The Bible calls upon us to love God with all of our hearts, souls and minds. In secular circles, it is largely believed that Christians employ their hearts and scientists employ their brains. But Jesus says, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." And to keep his commandments, it follows that we must KNOW what they are and UNDERSTAND the person making these demands. So somehow, we must bring our hearts and minds together. Michael says that, "the imagination is the vital bridge between the heart and the mind." (pg. 13)Michael calls on readers to prepare their minds with facts about the culture, the geography, the society of the writer's time (information). Then, to combine this with "mental images or concepts of what is not actually present to the senses" (imagination). As a writer, I hope that people read my work with a mind toward original intent. Obviously, everything I write is predicated on the world around me. The same is true of biblical authors, in this case Luke.In the introduction, Michael lays out a few basic facts that an informed reader knows about Luke.1. He was not an eye witness of Jesus' life.2. He was a doctor3. He was a Gentile4. He was a companion of PaulThere are more, but I want you to read the book! Next, Michael begins linking these facts with social norms like, the relationship between doctors and slaves, (now your curious - right?) how individuals got their nicknames, and why there are so many songs recorded in Luke's gospel. These aren't things that are spelled-out in Scripture, but they are logical deductions that help us to engage with the TRUE story of Jesus in the gospel of Luke.Keep reading!Please visit my blog [...] for a week-long, in-depth review of this book.

Michael Card provides a conversational commentary to Luke: The Gospel of Amazement. The book is not a theological commentary but also does not lack scholarly insight.As the commentary notes, Luke's perspective of the spiritual life is a journey. We journey with Luke as he tells his gospel story gleaned from edited eyewitness accounts. Everywhere people are amazed and astonished and in awe of the events surrounding Jesus. Card calls to our attention many perspectives we may not have seen - such as instances of the Holy Spirit at work, the many times Jesus prayed, and the possible understandings and misunderstandings of the disciples.This book is the first of a gospel series by Card to reflect on "biblical imagination." Not "imaginary" understanding but rather imagination that acts as a vital bridge between the heart and mind. The many parables told by Jesus certainly need a measure of biblical (or holy) imagination to comprehend the depths of meaning.Card's earlier translation and commentary on the Gospel of John (The Parable of Joy, 1995) also does a good job with biblical imagination and should be considered the first of this new biblical imagination series.Both books are recommended as additional friendly and insightful commentaries that can help with better understanding (using some holy imagination) the gospels of Jesus.

Wonderful insight. Using this to teach my Bible class.

This is turning out to be much, much longer than I expected. Before I bought it, my plan was to read it alongside my daily reading of the Bible. Being used to Michael Card as a songwriter, able to convey messages with a minimal amount of space, I guess I expected it to be short and snappy. Actually the chapters are split into sections and Michael writes in detail about each one, so a great book if you want to set some time aside to exclusively study the gospel of Luke, but not so great if you're just looking to read a short snippet each day.

well written well researched

Very good service and a good read

This is an excellent book and an easily accessible read on the subject of the book of Luke. Card provokes and challenges us to to read and think on Luke in a more personal life affecting way. Excellent read.

Awesome book. Well written.