The different facets of the mercy of God in Luke 15

Abstract

The thesis proposes to study the general theme of "mercy" in the Bible with particular focus on its expression in the Gospel of Luke. By analysing the wide spectrum of terminology and imagery used by the Evangelist to express the "mercy" of God, we shall be able to synthesise what is the Lucan theology expressed in that theme. Particular attention will subsequently be given to the three parables found in chapter fifteen of Luke, namely, the doublet of the parables of the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin, and the parable of the Prodigal Son, having "mercy" as their primary message. Since the theme of "mercy" is not explicitly mentioned in the parables under analysis, the thesis would ultimately show that Luke's aim for grouping together these three parables was not mainly to focus on the figure of God Himself in His manifesting mercy to all but to highlight the distinctive feature in this Gospel of the different facets in which mercy is expressed in God's dealing with those in need of it.