The 'Such Faith' (tosaútēn pístin) of the Centurion: A Narrative Probe of Q 7,9
The 'Such Faith' (τοσαύτην πίστιν) of the Centurion: A Narrative Probe of Q 7,9
The Centurion’s Servant (Q 7,1-3.6-9) climaxes in Jesus’ praise of the centurion’s faith, 'Amen I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such faith (τοσαύτην πίστιν)' (Q 7,9). This essay probes how the author of Q compressed a profound understanding of Christian faith into two words,...
Main Author: | |
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Format: | Electronic Article |
Language: | English |
Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
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Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
Published: |
Peeters
2021
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In: |
Ephemerides theologicae Lovanienses
Year: 2021, Volume: 97, Issue: 4, Pages: 547-589 |
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains: | B
Luke
/ Q
/ Faith
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IxTheo Classification: | HC New Testament NAB Fundamental theology |
Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
Summary: | The Centurion’s Servant (Q 7,1-3.6-9) climaxes in Jesus’ praise of the centurion’s faith, 'Amen I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such faith (τοσαύτην πίστιν)' (Q 7,9). This essay probes how the author of Q compressed a profound understanding of Christian faith into two words, 'such faith', by placing the expression in the rich narrative context of Part I of Q (Q 3,7-7,35). Part I unfolds five thematic complexes: (1) the identity of Jesus and the disciples, (2) the contrast between privilege and humility, (3) the relationship between 'saying' and 'doing', (4) faith, and (5) miracles. In addition to the themes, a motif of 'coming' runs through Part I, shedding light on the two main symbols of Q, the Son of Man and the kingdom of God, as well as contributing to an understanding of miracles in Q. When set in this densely rich narrative context, seven dimensions of the 'such faith' of the centurion emerge. The centurion (1) lives a deep, radical humility, (2) recognizes who Jesus is, (3) understands what God is doing in Jesus, (4) accepts the gospel as Jesus’ way, (5) possesses seeking faith, an intense desire for salvation, (6) takes on the faith of Jesus, and (7) realizes that faith requires confession. The centurion emerges as the complete gentile Christian that the author of Q holds up as the ideal reader of Q and the model for all Christians because he responds totally to Jesus’ preaching, his life, and his faith in God. |
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ISSN: | 1783-1423 |
Contains: | Enthalten in: Ephemerides theologicae Lovanienses
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Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.2143/ETL.97.4.3290076 |