The writers and editors of the various books of our Bible make few personal references. More often, they do not identify themselves. Most of the names appearing on various books of the Bible were attached sometime later.

This is true of the Third Gospel. The writer does not identify himself and the name “Luke” was attached sometime after the gospel was written. Usually the writers do not tell us what purpose motivated them, although sometimes that is quite evident. An exception is the writer of the New Testament books of Luke and Acts. Fortunately, he gives us a glimpse into his purpose for writing them.

First, the prologue to the gospel, verses 1-4, reflect the best Greek literary style of the time, a style used throughout the Greco-Roman world. In keeping with this style, he addresses the books to “most excellent Theophilus.” “Most excellent” indicates Theophilus was a person of social prominence, perhaps even a political official.

His name, “Theophilus,” a popular name at the time, means “one who loves God” and many scholars believe he was probably a “new” Christian.” Others think he may have been an official who was dealing with Christians in an official capacity.  “Old” or “new,” like Theophilus, we come as those who love God.

At any rate, Luke is assuring him what he is writing in these two books is “the truth concerning these things of which you have been informed.” So it is Luke’s purpose to present the truth of the gospel in a manner that will reach the people, including us, for whom it is intended.

He is not trying to prove the facts of Jesus’ life, but the significance of what happened.

 

Luke tells us there have been “many” who have attempted to tell the story of Jesus and the early Church.

He may be referring not only to the books we know as Matthew and Mark (the Gospel of John probably had not been written yet), but also to a number of other “gospels” and books of “acts.”

It may surprise you to learn that there were many writings from which to choose when the New Testament was assembled. Today there exist copies or fragments of 34 of those gospels. You may wonder why, if 34 or more gospels were eventually winnowed down to four, the canon was not further reduced to just one gospel.

The answer is they found each of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John both inspired and authoritative, even though the four gospel writers saw Jesus from slightly different, although not contradictory, perspectives.

Luke does not disparage the other gospel accounts, but he wants to tell the “good news” as he has experienced it, if not directly himself, at least from eyewitness testimonies that have been passed on.

As Matthew seems to write to Jewish-Christian readers, Luke writes from the perspective of a gentile-Christian to gentiles.

Luke’s “good news” is for all people who will accept Jesus as Lord.

The gospels, while often biographical, were not intended to be biographies, but evangelistic tracts to challenge and win converts to the Lord. Their purpose today is the same as when they were written: To change readers into disciples of Jesus Christ. Luke does not hide his intention.

So, he is not just writing about a “great man” who lived and died some years ago, but about a living Lord whose story has not ended, but continues on in the lives of his disciples and churches – including you and yours. His story is open-ended, one still going on and speaking to us here and now.

Luke’s “good news” of Jesus Christ is intended to help us see the reality of the living Lord in relation to our own lives. He does not tell us everything Jesus did, but he passes on to us many of the words and acts of Jesus that had dramatic and authentic meaning, not only for the people of his own day, but us as well.

He experienced the glory of the “good news” of Jesus Christ, and it was so compelling that he had to pass it on. That’s why he wrote his gospel. So it is with us when we read Luke: it is “good news” so good that, however we do it, we too are called to pass it on.

 

•Luke found his experience of Jesus Christ so compelling he wanted to share it with others. On the basis of your past exposure to the “good news,” what story, saying or explanation of the gospel do you think of as “compelling,” “exciting,” “inspiring,” “relevant to your life” or “life-changing?”

•The experience of the writer of Luke was so obviously compelling to him, that he wanted to share what he knew of Jesus with others. What aspects, experiences or insights to the Christian faith do you consider worth sharing with others?

•Only Luke and Matthew tell us anything, and very little at that, about the life of Jesus prior to his baptism and the beginning of his ministry as a young man. So why do you think they throw so little light on the younger years of his life?

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Rev. Althouse may write to him in care of this publication.