In this accessible and compelling introduction, Michael Bird draws us into the wide-ranging narrative of Luke-Acts to discover how Luke frames the life of Jesus and of the first disciples who set out from Jerusalem to “the ends of the earth” proclaiming the Good News. Bird shows us how these two books, when read together, tell a cohesive narrative about Jesus, the Church, and the mission of God—with implications for the whole of our lives today. Situating both books in their historical and literary context, Bird moves through an exploration of their central theological themes and culminates with consideration of the books’ relevance for contemporary social issues.
I like Michael Bird. He’s an engaging writer and a good guy. And I like the present work. It is filled with helpful insights into the work we call Luke/ Acts.
I don’t always agree with him though. So, for example, when he talks about Luke as Theologian (pp. 68ff) he points out that in Bultmann’s Theology of the New Testament “…while the theological contribution of Luke is either ignored (by Bultmann)…” he isn’t exactly being accurate. I count no less than 40 references to Luke in Bultmann’s theology and 28 references to Acts, giving a grand total of 68 references to the two volume Lukan work. Not to mention, of course, Bultmann’s earlier and extensive examination of Luke in his work on the Synoptics.
I would, then, suggest that Bultmann can hardly be accused of ignoring Luke’s works. Theologically or historically.
Generally, though, if you weigh Bird’s work in the balances it won’t be found wanting. The chapters are, on the whole, well organized and the end of each chapter provides review questions and a list of works for further reading on the subject of each chapter.
The high water mark of the work is the 12th Chapter where Bird leads readers into a very good discussion of Luke on Jesus, the Jews, and the Gentile Churches. I’ll be teaching a course this coming semester on Judaism and Early Christianity and I will definitely be incorporating Bird’s chapter at the proper point in the lectures. Bird is at his best when he is doing analysis of the interaction of Judaism and Christianity.
On the whole, then, this is a very useful and probative volume. It has its weaknesses (one having been mentioned above) but it has more strengths (particularly when Bird is talking about Judaism) and is an excellent volume for students on Luke/ Acts; scholars of the material; and even interested layfolk who want to learn a bit more about a big chunk of the New Testament.
I can unhesitatingly recommend it to you. I think you will genuinely enjoy it. And I know that you will learn from it. Which is what it’s all about, isn’t it. Learning.
Zwinglius Redivivus 
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