Marshall on Salvation

This essay reviews I. Howard Marshall’s chapter on salvation as the core theological theme of Luke-Acts in Luke: Historian and Theologian. He contends for the idea of salvation being rooted in historical events and challenged Hans Conzelmann’s idea of the delay of the parousia. Jesus as Saviour and salvation in its broadest terms are at the center of Luke’s concerns. An assessment follows. Many have joined Marshall since in contending for a historically rooted portrait of the early church’s message. The idea of Jesus as Messiah-Lord may be a better central term for Luke’s Christology than Saviour. The theme of salvation as tied to reconciliation has brought focus to Luke’s emphasis on salvation. Also traced is the central role of geographical progression to point to the theme of Gentiles’ inclusion, as well as Paul’s career. The legacy of Marshall’s work still lives fifty years after this work.