Misquoting Jesus with Bart Ehrman
Why Should We Think Luke and Acts Have the Same Author?
Oct 15, 2024
Bart Ehrman, a six-time New York Times bestselling author and Bible scholar, delves into the intriguing connection between the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, both believed to be penned by the same author. He explores the identity of Theophilus and his significance to early Christians. The conversation also highlights literary genres and thematic links between the two texts, discussing inclusivity of Gentiles and the role of the Holy Spirit in early Christianity. Plus, the impact of Jewish marriage customs on authorship adds another layer to this captivating analysis.
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Quick takeaways
- Scholarly consensus supports the idea that Luke and Acts share a single author, evidenced by thematic and stylistic similarities throughout the texts.
- The identity of Theophilus is debated, being viewed either as a real Roman figure or a symbolic representation of all lovers of God.
Deep dives
Authorship of Luke and Acts
The Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles are believed to be authored by a single individual, a notion supported by various textual clues. The beginnings of these books include a dedication to a person named Theophilus, suggesting a continuous narrative where the author states that he previously documented the life of Jesus in Luke and will now discuss the early church in Acts. Although there are arguments from a minority of scholars suggesting different authors, the similarity in themes and writing styles strongly indicates a singular authorial voice throughout both texts. This author demonstrates a clear thematic continuity, providing a cohesive understanding of Jesus’ ministry and the subsequent spread of Christianity.
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