Abstract
The parable of the crafty steward in Luke 16:1—8 may be central to Jesus’ negotiation of identity and mission, not an impossibility or an embarrassment as many exegetes believe. Received tradition has been unable to access the text adequately, falling short of offering faith communities a suitable hermeneutic that decodes the world of Jesus’ contemporaries. This essay approaches the text by introducing bystander theology, which turns to aesthetics, the fine arts, to develop exegetical and theological concepts that embody density, texture, and depth that elucidate how biblical persons can be understood today. The essay advocates that the body of Christ extends not only spatially but also through layers of time. By participating in a biblical encounter as a bystander and exploring biblical actors’ frames of reference, biblical worlds may more clearly come into focus.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Biblical Theology Bulletin: Journal of Bible and Culture
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
