Summary
This volume collects early Christian reflections on the Gospel of Luke, organised by reference. It offers brief extracts that reflect doctrinal reading and pastoral aims more than modern critical method. You will see emphases on the compassion of Christ, the call to repentance, prayer, the work of the Spirit, and the shape of discipleship in the life of the church.
Strengths
The best sections enrich preaching by bringing theological depth to familiar narratives. The fathers often notice the spiritual condition of characters and the pastoral aim of the narrative, helping the preacher speak to the heart. The extracts can also prompt christological connections that keep Luke from being reduced to moralism or sentiment.
Limitations
The volume does not provide a continuous account of Lukes structure or major themes as a coherent argument. Historical setting and literary development receive little attention, and some comments can feel detached from the immediate context. The catena style also means you must work harder to discern what is central and what is secondary within a passage.
How We Would Use It
Use a trusted modern commentary for structure, then consult this volume for theological and pastoral enrichment. It can be especially helpful for sermon application on prayer, repentance, and the mercy of God, provided you keep the narrative context in view.
Closing Recommendation
A substantial supplementary resource for advanced readers. Use with discernment and let careful contextual reading govern what you take and what you leave.
Arthur A. Just
Arthur A. Just is an American Lutheran pastor and New Testament scholar within the confessional Lutheran tradition.
He has written on the Gospel of Luke and on liturgical theology, integrating biblical exegesis with the worshipping life of the church. His teaching ministry has emphasised the centrality of Christ and the sacramental life in shaping faithful interpretation.
Just is valued for bringing together academic rigour and pastoral sensitivity. His exposition reflects careful attention to context and theology, serving ministers who desire preaching that is both doctrinally sound and rooted in the church gathered around Word and Sacrament.
Theological Perspective: Lutheran