This book offers a fresh perspective on the narrative portrayal of the early Christian movement in Luke Acts, integrating social network analysis (SNA) with critical spatiality and exegetical methods. By highlighting social interactions, relationships and networks, the book shows how computational and mathematical methods can be meaningfully adapted for the study of ancient texts. It presents a rigorous methodological framework that combines narrative criticism and social network theory to illuminate the social dynamics embedded in biblical narratives.
Based on this methodological foundation, the book provides a comprehensive historical narrative network analysis of Luke Acts, which is grounded in detailed exegetical observations. Using a variety of analytical techniques, including distance measures, structural and community analyses, and spatial network approaches, it explores Luke's depiction of community formation, social cohesion, and mission. It examines interconnected narrative networks spanning the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, providing focused analyses of mission co-workers, key locations, and major and minor actors. Translating computational findings back into theological and historical interpretation provides a comprehensive introduction to narrative and historical social network analysis, making this book of interest to scholars and students of digital humanities, theology, history, and related disciplines.