Dr. Luke; the man and the mission

     Who was this man Luke, who wrote more words of the New Testament than even the Apostle Paul? The following is what I've read about him; of course you and I both know much of this is speculation, but it's fun to read what "those in the know" speculate.
     Luke's heritage was Greek. That makes him the only New Testament writer who was a gentile. Tradition places him in Antioch during the establishment of that first gentile church, which became the key to reaching the rest of the world. He was clearly an educated man; at the time probably the only places he could have gotten such education was in Athens or in Tarsus. That's interesting, since Paul got his education as a Pharisee in Tarsus. One wonders if the Jew of Jews and the Gentile ever crossed paths there in both of their BC states. Because of this educational background we are able to see many facets of the man; doctor, historian, writer, evangelist. He was probably approximately the same age as Jesus and Paul. Tradition says he died in Greece at the age of 84, in AD 170 [which doesn't add up right to me....]
    There isn't any internal evidence he wrote the book of Luke. He does cite himself in the book of Acts, though, and since both were clearly written by the same man, the traditional authorship of both the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles by him has never really been questioned.
     The bigger mystery concerning these two books is who they were written to! Theophilus... even non-greek speakers like us can see the words God [Theo] and love [philo] in the name. Is it a real person or just a literary device? Luke refers to his writings in Acts 1:1 as books, not letters. Were the books actually written to a person? Maybe there's a sense of an artist who had a wealthy patron sponsoring the work.
     Someone's footnote today said Theophilus was a code name, protecting the real person from persecution from Rome. Of course, in the book of Acts we are going to hear lots of stories that may be incriminating from a Roman government perspective. That's an option.
   Luke addresses Theophilus as "most excellent", which translators explain as a specific title, used to address persons of high office or social position. Such a title could support either the wealthy patron or the high Roman official theory.
    But the more interesting aspects of Luke's introductory remarks are his attitude towards the work he's undertaken.  He speaks of drawing up an orderly account. He's studied previously "handed down" accounts. He's interviewed eye-witnesses; and not just any eye-witnesses but specifically those who were servants of the ministry. He's investigated; in fact the words he chose may mean that he came to belief himself as a result of investigating the claims of Christianity.
    Someone named Ellis says of Luke's introduction, "This reflects a conviction that the Christian faith is rooted not in speculative creation but in historical reality". And there's the point of the books. Jesus is a historical person. The disciples were historical persons: Luke interviewed many of them. Mary was a historical person. Luke clearly interviewed her. Paul was a historical person whom Luke traveled with for many years and ministered to up to that Apostle's death.
    Of course this morning we looked at some charts too.... I know all of you love my charts! And we had our first assignment. For the next three weeks we'll be reading Chapters 1-6. It will probably take us three weeks to study that section, but that will cover all the beginning stuff... beginning of life and beginning of ministry for this man Jesus.
    After that we'll look at the book in three more sections.
    6:17-9:50     Jesus travels about, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom
    9:51-19:27   Jesus resolutely turns towards Jerusalem
    19:28-24      Jesus' last week in Jerusalem

So we're off to a good start. It was so wonderful to gather around Betty's table with you all today and open the Word. I'm anxious to see what we'll all learn this year together. 

    

Another year, another Bible Study

   I hope that title doesn't sound like I'm bored. Its very exciting to me to have had the opportunity all these years to meet with women of the church and study the Word together. There is nothing more fun that sitting around a table talking about a passage of scripture. It's so much better than studying alone! Some of us have been at it a long time, but it seriously never gets boring. There's always something to learn and something in your life that needs to change....at least for me.
    This year we're going to study the writings of Luke, which you probably all know are the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts. Luke is very accommodating in writing out his purpose for both books. Luke 1:1-4 says he has carefully investigated everything from the beginning. And he means the beginning. He starts with the birth announcements of both John and Jesus. He's gathered eye-witness accounts.
     He also says he intends to write out an "orderly account". He has painstakingly investigated the matter and is going to set things down in a logical order so that his intended reader, Theophilus, will know the solid historical facts behind the faith he has embraced.
    The book of Acts is also addressed to Theophilus. Luke begins Acts by summarizing "book 1" as "all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven", which hints that his sequel will be about what Jesus continued to do after he went up into heaven.
    Some Bibles title this second book of Luke as the Acts of the Apostles. Many a preacher has wanted to change that title to Acts of the risen Jesus. But it seems to me (not an original thought) that the book could be called the Acts of the Apostles empowered by the Holy Spirit. (Clearly a too long and not very catchy title.)
    Jesus spent a lot of time his last night on earth with his disciples explaining that when he left he would send the Holy Spirit, the counselor, the one who would indwell them for the life to come. He even said it would be better for them that he was going away! That seems crazy! But when you see what these 11 men plus Paul accomplish in the book of Acts you will see what he means! In the gospels you see the disciples hanging out with God. What could be better than that? God hanging out IN the disciples.
    I've studied two other gospels, Matthew and John. I've been struck this summer by how different the voices of these two gospels are. Matthew is a fiery book, portraying Jesus as an angry young rebel, throwing fireballs at the Scribes and the Pharisees. John is in awe of Jesus, pointing out miraculous sign after miraculous sign, believing this elegant speaker is more than a great speaker, he's God. Luke's voice is the dispassionate reporter. Just the facts, Ma'am. At least that's what I think in September. We'll see what we all think by Christmas.
    I haven't counted it myself but I've read that Luke actually wrote more of the New Testament than Paul. [I should count it; it's hard to believe!] Both books are 52 chapters, so going through them will be about like going through Genesis....a trek that will easily keep us occupied til spring.
   I woke up this morning with both Adam's wedding and Bill's chemo behind me, and I'm ready to start. I hope you are too.