Acknowledgements

When reflecting on this study, I realise the immense debt of gratitude I have to all who have helped me. Above all, God, who called me to start this PhD, and who sustained, comforted and encouraged me during the writing process, and who’s community of believers I hope is edified by this study.

As this is study is a revised version of my PhD thesis, completed in February 2020, I am immensely grateful for the guidance and encouragement of the many people involved in the progress, evolution and publication of this book:

1. –My primary supervisor, the Dr Vicky Balabanski, who has shown care and warmth throughout the ups and downs of this research, and who’s wealth of knowledge and diligence in feedback has honed and clarified my work. She has gone above and beyond, especially in her insight during editing.
2. –I am also indebted to my associate supervisor, Dr Michael Trainor, who’s pointed questions particularly refined the scope of this study, and challenged my understanding of Luke-Acts. His questions brought clarity and focus.
3. –My associate supervisor, Dr Adam White, who was one of my inspirations for becoming a teacher and pursuing a PhD; while also offering thoughtful encouragements and cautions as I started the process. He broadened the literature I was exposed to, provided a valuable network opportunities and the final edits that he gave were particularly insightful.
4. –The staff at Adelaide College of Divinity for their encouragement and willingness to help at a moment’s notice. In particular, Dr Tanya Wittwer, who was the post-graduate coordinator during the formative years of this research, and who especially supported me in the exploration and articulation of this thesis topic in my first year. Likewise, Dr Mauro Meruzzi, who was the post-graduate coordinator during the final year of my PhD, and who guided me in composing my conclusion. The librarians Ana Grieve, Anna Witty and Ian Trenwith at Adelaide Theological Library, who were ever helpful and a constant encouragement, especially in the final year of my PhD.
5. –Flinders University for the scholarship for the final year of my PhD, which enabled me to finish this PhD to the best of my abilities.
6. –My examiners, Dr Steve Walton and Dr James Harrison, who showed great care in examining my PhD thesis and in offering amendments and corrections to my thesis. Their feedback was considered and detailed, which helped greatly in turning this PhD thesis into a monograph.
7. –Dr John Christopher Thomas for accepting this study into the JPTSSup series, and for the team at Brill for guiding me through the publishing process seamlessly. In particular, I’d like to thank Ingrid Heijckers-Velt, Tessel Jonquière and Theo Joppe for there diligent work and quick responses in the reviewing and publishing process.

I am also grateful to those who have supported me outside of my academic endeavours. The love, care and fellowship that I have found in the churches Generocity Temora, Influencers Clare Valley and Enjoy Church Adelaide, which I have attended during the last four years. All the staff and students at Alphacrucis Adelaide Campus, especially Matt Potts, Dean O’Keefe and Joshua Reynolds, for their encouragement, comradery in study and friendship. My brother-in-law Philip and mother-in-law Deborah for their practical support for my family which allowed me to study full-time. My mum and dad, for their Christian heritage, their prayer and their love and care for me and my family during my whole life, and during this last few years as I focussed on this research.

Then most of all, my family. My sons Jimmy and Reuben who helpfully didn’t help me study but filled me with joy and gave me a light at the end of the academic tunnel. One day I hope you both will receive the gift of the Spirit and allow it to bind you to the community of God. Finally my lovely wife Hannah, who daily gave selflessly to enable this PhD to happen. She worked full-time to financially provide for us, which allowed me to study full time. Without her wholehearted commitment to my dream of teaching and research, and without all her practical support, I would not have been able to complete this thesis.