This book, the first comprehensive study of persecution in Luke-Acts from a literary and theological perspective, argues that the author uses the theme of persecution in pursuit of his theological agenda. It brings to the surface six theological functions of the persecution theme, which has an important paraenetic and especially apologetic role for Luke's persecuted community. The persecution Luke's readers suffer is evidence that they are legitimate recipients of God's salvific blessings.

A 'second reformation' in global theology is currently taking place. In the Majority World evangelical theological education is growing rapidly and increasing its global impact. Scholars are applying the fruits of their research in Biblical and theological fields to their contexts to serve the needs of theological students and churches and their leaders. One of the most significant trends within this growth of global theological education is the increasing emergence of evangelical doctoral programs. Starting with a major consultation in Beirut in 2010, ICETE's Doctoral Initiative has been...