Book excerpt: "This is a very readable and clear exposition of Luke's presentation of Jesus as an advocate of nonviolence. It rests on a profound knowledge of the political background in the first century and also of modern Lucan scholarship. One does not need to agree with all of the author's suggestions in order to accept her basic thesis that Luke's Jesus exemplifies his own Insistence on loving and forgiving one's enemies."I. Howard Marshall, Emeritus Professor of New Testament Exegesis, University of Aberdeen, Scotland"For Professor Josephine Massyngbaerde Ford, authoress of a learned and challenging commentary on Revelation, Luke is the preacher of 'philoechthrology,' highlighting far more than his predecessors Jesus's love of the enemy. She marshals impressive and interesting evidence from comparison with the other Synoptics, from contemporary Jewish texts, orthodox and sectarian, and from the general conditions of that turbulent period. The work is full of original valuable ideas, such as the relevance, for this Gospel's overriding purpose, of a sharp contrast between the Infancy narratives, reflecting traditional, revolutionary expectations, and the actual message of Jesus. Her analysis of the evangelist's redactional activity is circumspect, sensitive, and rich in new insights. Not the least by-product of her thesis is convincing, fresh Illustration of Luke's stature as a social, political, and historical thinker and as a subtle, accomplished writer--not to mention his humanity. This is an excellent, lively, and timely book." David Daube, University of California, Berkeley"Ford invitingly presents Luke's pacifist portrait of Jesus against a predominant militant background of Israel's messianic hopes. Her extensive citations from BCE-first-century Jewish literature and her scholarly study of Luke's Gospel make this a seminal contribution. Her work breaks new ground, pointing toward fresh emphases in both historical Jesus and Lucan redactional studies. In a special way, her book speaks to both biblical scholars and lay Christians ready to say 'no' to the mushroom cloud--in the name of Jesus the messianic king." Willard M. Swartley, Professor Emeritus of New Testament, Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminaries, Elkhart, Indiana"Placed, as I am, within sight of Bethlehem to the South and Jerusalem to the North, I look out upon a society where the stark choice is between killing enemies or loving them. Professor Ford's fascinating study of the Lucan Jesus provides a convincing motive for choosing the latter; nonviolence, forgiveness, and acceptance of our enemies into covenant community." Donald Nichol, former Rector of the Ecumenical Institute, Tantur