The Identity of Luke the Physician

 

Luke was probably from Antioch, Syria.  He was the writer of the Gospel of Luke and was a gentile Christian who never personally met Jesus. He became a Christian after Paul taught him about the gospel. Using his scientific approach learned as a physician, his two scriptural books, Luke [κατὰ Λουκᾶν; According (to) Luke] and The Acts of the Apostles [Πράξεις Ἀποστόλων, Acts (of the) Apostles], are the result of his numerous interviews of surviving first-generation Christians. In Luke :1-4, he says that he has carefully investigated everything before recording it. 

He was with Paul on several journeys and was present when Paul met with James and the elders (Acts 21:17-20) in Jerusalem.

Paul, in 1 Corinthians 15:6, mentions “more than 500 brothers” to whom Jesus appeared after his resurrection and that most of them were still alive. The mention of 500 witnesses to the risen Jesus was meant as a challenge to people living at the time Paul wrote the passage to check it out if they wanted to. Luke’s careful investigation probably included interviews with many of the elders and many of the 500 brothers. Luke 34:33.

Luke may be the Lucius mentioned in Acts 13:1. Lucius in Romans 16:21 may also be the same man. Because they are named together in 2 Timothy 4:10-11, Titus and Luke may have been brothers. 2 Corinthians 8:18.

A visit to the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute on the weekend of Martin Luther King's birthday

Recently. our son and his family came to visit us. One of the things we did during their visit was to take them to see the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. My preteen grandchildren were horrified and sickened by what they saw. They had learned in school of Rosa Parks and Dr. Martin Luther King but they had no idea how bad things actually were at that time.

I told my grandchildren that what they saw at the Institute was true. I know because I was a child and young teenager during the early part of the civil rights movement. Later, when I was a young adult, our church was split down the middle when we voted to accept for membership a black woman and her daughter. The sight of several respected church leaders rising to yell “No!” and “Hell, no!” lingers with me still. After about 200 of us stood and walked out, the new racially mixed church we started received weekly bomb threats for several years.

Since I believe that racism is totally incompatible with a declaration of faith in the risen Lord Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:28), I was proud that my grandchildren have been raised without a hint of racism.  We explained to them that things were much better now but that racism still existed. We also explained that as Christians they must never be a part of any racist activity and that they should never be afraid to oppose it when they see it.  (2 Timothy 1:7)

Bumper Stickers

On America’s highways one will often see a bumper sticker like this on the rear bumper of an eighteen-wheeler truck, a bus, or a utility vehicle.

If the driver exhibits sloppy or aggressive driving behavior, they can be reported to their employer by a call to the provided phone number, usually a toll-free call. This helps to ensure that the majority drive with care.

Recently, while on a long-distance highway trip, I saw a speeding sports car with a bumper sticker which read:

“How is my driving?  Call 1-800- EAT-SHIT.”

This person is displaying contempt for everyone else. He (or she) is basically saying, “I do not care what you think of my driving.  What you think of my driving does not matter. You do not matter. I can do whatever I want, whenever I want.  I am superior to you.”

Contempt and hostility are fueled by disgust at other people’s perceived incompetence and worthlessness. There is an intent to insult and to harm. The type of person who does this is a narcissist: arrogant, dismissive of others, and selfish, with a sense of entitlement.

What is telling is that these same people are also impulsive, immature, restrained only by a fear of being punished, disconnected from other people, manipulative, and hypersensitive to criticism. These are lost people who will be extremely difficult to reach because they will actively reject any attempt to reach them.

“When a wicked man comes, contempt also comes, And with dishonor comes scorn.” Proverbs 18:3 (NASB)

“But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these. For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”    2 Timothy 3:1-7 (NASB)

"Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible®,
Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973,
1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation 
Used by permission." (www.Lockman.org)

Rick and Bubba Cut Ties With World Vision

Rick and Bubba are comedians, authors, and nationally syndicated radio personalities who are openly and outspokenly Christian.  They have been ardent supporters of World Vision, an international Christian charity which fights child poverty by sponsoring needy children.  They have abruptly cut ties with World Vision after their personal friend, the organization’s president Richard Stearns, told Christianity Today that World Vision is changing their employment policies.  They previously required employees to remain faithful within marriage, abstinent outside of marriage, and only recognized heterosexual marriages.  The new personnel policy does not overtly endorse same sex marriage but includes legal same sex marriages.

Readers of this blog understand that the blog is written from an orthodox Trinitarian Christian understanding based on a very high view of scripture.  The biblical standard for marriage is one man married to one woman.  It is clear that the Bible does not in any way condone the practice of homosexuality. (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)

What Rick and Bubba have done is not “hate speech” or “homophobia.”  Christians should not hate (1 John 3:15) and we do not have a spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7).  The historical orthodox position is admittedly absolutist.  The biblical claim is that God is the Absolute Truth and that He is the only arbiter of that truth.

Moral relativism, of which I have spoken before, is a very recent development which challenges the idea of Absolute Truth.  Advocates of moral relativism see traditional understandings of numerous issues to be repressive and oppressive.  They see Truth, if it exists at all, as being determined by the individual or by a community of agreeing individuals.

Several Christian denominations have been influenced by the philosophy of moral relativism and have adopted reinterpretations of historic doctrines in an effort to become more “relevant” to the modern world.  Some include openly homosexual members and a few have no problem with sexual relationships (heterosexual and homosexual) outside of marriage if the sexuality is in the concept of a “committed relationship.”

I personally know several homosexual Christians who are aware of my stand on this matter.  We do not hate or fear one another (“homophobia” is an insult word); we look at one another and are puzzled.  I am sure that this divide exists among readers of this blog as well.

Opponents of the traditional orthodox view on this matter must understand that our opposition to their view is not motivated by hate or fear.  They must also understand that we will not compromise.

………………………………………………………………………

* Luke 14:26 refers to loving no one more than Jesus.  The verse reflects an Aramaic understanding of love and hate.

Christians

At some time during their lives, the following people have publicly identified themselves as Christian.   Inclusion in this list does not indicate approval or disapproval of the person, of their orthodoxy or lack of it, or of their actions.  Some of those listed may surprise you.  Readers are encouraged to suggest persons who should be included on this list.  This is a recurring segment in this blog.

Rufus: The brother of Alexander and one of the sons of Simon of Cyrene (Mark 15:21).  He is possibly the same man mentioned by Paul in Romans 16:13.

Marcus: Marcus was a relative of Barnabas.  He left Paul but later became an important Christian leader.  (Acts 13:13, 15:39; 2 Timothy 4:11)

Simeon: (aka: Niger) Simeon was a leader in the church at Antioch (Antakya, Turkey).  He chose Paul and Barnabas as missionaries.  Acts 13:1-2.

Epaenetus: Epaenetus of Rome is mentioned by Paul in Romans 16:5.  He was possibly the first male Christian convert in Asia.

Philologus: This Roman Christian is mentioned by Paul in Romans 16:15.

Christians

Chiang Ching-kuo (B. 1910, China –d. 1988)  President of the Republic of China 1978-1988.  Methodist.

Titus (fl. 1^st century) A Gentile Christian who was a convert and later a friend and emissary of Paul. Paul sent him on several specific missions.  Galatians 2:3, 1 Corinthians 1-6, 2 Corinthians 2:13, 7:5-16, chapter 8, the book of Titus, 2 Timothy 4:10.  He was accepted as Paul’s spokesman.

Horatio Gates Spafford:  (b. 1828, New York (USA) – d. 1888) Attorney, investor, philanthropist, hymnist.  After all four of his daughters died in a shipwreck he wrote the words to the hymn, “It Is Well With My Soul.”  He, his wife, and their subsequent children worked for years in Jerusalem providing soup kitchens, hospitals, and orphanages.  He died in Jerusalem.  “I am glad to trust the Lord when it will cost something.”

Tiana Anpo Win Spotted Thunder (b. Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota (USA), aka: Tasiyagmuka Ho Waste Win; Good Voice Meadowlark  Woman)  Singer in English and Lakota.

Melchior Grodziecki (b. ca 1582, Poland – d. 1619) Jesuit priest, military chaplain,  and martyr.  Beheaded by Transylvanian troops in Kosice.

Christians

At some time during their lives, the following people have publicly identified themselves as Christian.   Inclusion in this list does not indicate approval or disapproval of the person, of their orthodoxy or lack of it, or of their actions.  Readers are encouraged to suggest persons who should be included on this list.  This is a recurring segment in this blog.

Trophimus: A Gentile traveling companion of Paul.  In Jerusalem, the local Jews thought that Paul had allowed Trophimus to enter the Temple. (Acts 21:29)  Paul left him behind to  recuperate in Miletus (2 Timothy 4:20) after he became ill.  The ruins of Miletus are found at Milet, Tukey.

Craig Groeschel: (b. 1967, Texas, USA) Pastor, writer, founder of LifeChurch.tv, a Christian church with fourteen locations in five US states.  LifeChurch.tv is based in Edmund, Oklahoma (USA).

Perfectus: (b. Spain – d. 850, aka: Saint Perfectus, Santo Perfecto)  Roman catholic monk and ordained priest in Moorish Cordoba.  When asked, under promise of non-repisal, who was greater, Jesus or Muhammad, he replied in Arabic that Muhammad was a false prophet.  Other men, who had not promised protection to Perfectus, captured him and he was beheaded by the order of an Islamic court.

Wigstan: (d. 849, Mercia, a part of modern great Britain, aka: Wistan, Saint Wystan) Wigstan was a grandson of King Ceolwulf I of Mercia and was probably the ealdorman of the Hwicce tribe.

John Eliot: (b. 1604, England – d. 1690, aka: “the Indian Apostle”)  Puritan missionary to the native Americans in Massachusetts.  Eliot translated the Bible into the local Native American language (Massachusett) and published it in 1663.  He also wrote and published a Massachusett grammar in 1666.  He was the co-editor of the Bay Psalm Book, the first book published in the British North American colonies.

Christians

‎At some time during their lives, the following people have publicly identified themselves as Christian.   Inclusion in this list does not indicate approval or disapproval of the person, of their orthodoxy or lack of it, or of their actions.  Readers are encouraged to suggest persons who should be included on this list.  This is a recurring segment in this blog.

Pudens: A Christian man in Rome who is mentioned by Paul in 2 Timothy 4:21 as sending greetings to Timothy.

Godfrey of Bouillon: (b. ca. 1060, Frankish Kingdom – d. 1100) Lord of Bouillon and Duke of Lower Lorraine.  Frankish knight and a leader during the First Crusade in 1096.  He was the first ruler of the newly established Kingdom of Jerusalem.

Clara Maas:  (b. 1876, New Jersey, USA – d. 1901) A nurse who died after volunteering for yellow fever research.  She is considered to be a saint by the Lutheran Church.

Michael Graham Landon: (b. 1964, California, USA, aka: Michael Landon, Jr.) Actor, director, writer, and producer.  Son of television and film actor Michael Landon.

Olof Daniel Westling: (b. 1973, Sweden, aka: Prince Daniel, Duke of Vastergotland) Gymnasium owner, personal trainer of Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden. In 2010, he married Victoria.  Lutheran.

Onward Christian Soldiers

"Onward Christian Soldiers " is a traditional English hymn written in the 19th century and still in use today worldwide.  It has no reference to the Crusades.  The lyrics were written by Sabine Baring-Gould (1834-1924), an Anglican priest, as a processional hymn for children who marched from Horbury Bridge to Horbury St. Peter's Church near Wakefield in Yorkshire.  Baring-Gould served as an Anglican priest in Horbury.

He wrote the lyrics (1865) in fifteen minutes and declared, "It was written in great haste, and I am afraid that some of the lines are faulty."  Modern hymnbooks use his original text, which was written to fit the Symphony in D, No. 15 of Joseph Haydn (1732-1809).

The modern music of the hymn was written by Arthur Sullivan as the tune "St. Gertrude."  Sullivan is famed as the second half of the Gilbert and Sullivan songwriting team.

Some see the song as militaristic (as in the Crusades) and have opposed its use.  It was removed from the Australian Hymnbook in 1888 and 1988 and from the 1990 hymnal of the Presbyterian Church (USA).  An unsuccessful attempt was made to remove it from the United Methodist Hymnal.  What the hymn actually is is a reference to the New Testament ideal of being a soldier for Christ (2 Timothy 2:3).

The two men associated with the hymn were both British Anglicans, but they provide a clear contrast in their lives.

Sabine Baring-Gould (1834-1924) was an Anglican priest, , hagiographer, antiquarian, novelist,  hymnist, Basque translator, and scholar with over 1240 publications.  He was married to one woman and was the father of fifteen children.

Sir Arthur Seymour Sullivan (1842-1900) was a lover of British church music from an early age.  As an adult he made his living from teaching music composition, as an organist, and as a composer (operas, orchestral music, ballets, chamber music, oratorios, piano compositions, and hymns).  He was knighted in 1883.  In his personal life: he never married, but had numerous torrid sexual relationships with multiple women, often at the same time; in one case, with two sisters.  He was believed also to be bisexual, as evidenced by this cartoon from Punch magazine (1880, Punch's Fancy Portraits - no, 5).

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Book Comment: If the Church Were Christian, Chapter 3

Our old friend, Quaker pastor Philip Gulley returns.

If you are joining this book review series mid-stream , you can read the comment from the beginning by going to the LABELS section following the last post on this page and clicking on PHILIP GULLEY

Gully, Philip, If the Church were Christian.  Rediscovering the Values of Jesus (New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2010)

CHAPTER  3: Reconciliation Would be Valued Over Judgment

Pastor Gulley in this chapter is reacting to stereotypical thinking, which sadly,  too many Christians and Christian churches have traditionally fallen into.    He describes this stereotype as the view of God in which He is thin-skinned, always just before erupting into violent anger, and deeply concerned with trivia like whether or not you argued with your sister.

God is easily offended and you had better do something about it.  He has to be appeased or He will lash out at you.  So you stand in line and confess your sins.  You say some prayers you have memorized and hope God will forgive you … this time.

This is just for your little daily sins!  What about your big ones, and what about THE BIG ONE, the one you were born with?  For that one, God can only forgive us if He is satisfied by the gruesome death of Jesus.  Pastor Gulley call this a “dreadful view of God,” and he is right.

Gulley charges that “appeasement theology” was used to give the Church (I think he largely means the Catholic Church) power over its followers and to make itself rich. He points out that the Roman Catholic Church once had a list of financial penalties to be paid for absolution of specific sins, and he quotes Johann Tetzel, “As soon as a coin in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs.”   Pastor Gulley is correct that this was an abomination.  Thankfully, that is in the past. (The Church, of course, is the entire body of Christian believers of every denomination.)

Gulley insists that what Jesus wants from us is that we sacrifice our ego and pride.  He is correct.  The very essence of sin  (a word the modern world hates to hear or discuss) is choosing one’s own will rather than the will of God.

Where I, and orthodox Christian theology, differ from Pastor Gulley, who is a Universalist (everyone will be saved), is indeed over the Atonement. He denies the need for the Atonement.

Pastor Gulley’s understanding of the doctrine of the Atonement is a caricature.  The wrath of God is real, but it is the result of His utter holiness. The Bible speaks of Him; Holy Holy Holy.   He will not tolerate imperfection because He is perfect.  That sort of leaves us out. But, because he is Love, He Himself solved the problem we could never solve.  He accepted into Himself all the imperfections, all the sin, all the evil.  It killed Him.  Then, He stood up.

The picture which Pastor Gulley paints as that of the traditional Church, he rightly rejects.  It has, sadly, been the one which many in organized Christian religion have presented to the world over the centuries.  Think of Jonathan Edward’s sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of An Angry God.”

To many today, it is the only “gospel” they know.  It is an insult to the true gospel (εὐαγγέλιον , the good or true news/message).  No wonder so many have rejected it.  Listen to one of them , Spanish film director, Elio Quiroga, quoted in Fangoria Magazine (#296, Sept 2010, p. 34);  “All of us Spaniards have been inculcated with this dark, guilty, ominous way of seeing life propagated by the Roman Catholic Church.  All this Catholic shit colors the whole of Spanish society, like a storm cloud, permanently over their heads.”  They think the same thing about Baptists, and Lutherans, and Methodists, and Russian Orthodox, and all the rest of us.  In Scandinavia, they even call us morkemen (“men of darkness.”)

God is turned into an unreasonable  bloodthirsty monster who demands sacrifices so maybe He won’t wipe us all out.    If we’re good.

Where in this caricature is the cause of the joy which enabled Paul and Silas to sing hymns while manacled to the wall in a jail? (Acts 16:25)  What in this enabled Paul to say that we don’t have a spirit of fear? (2 Timothy 1:7)

Pastor Gulley says that the Christian scriptures, which he denies are God’s inerrant word, justify both compassion (1 Corinthians 13) and cruelty (Galatians 5:12).  The Galatians quotation was just Paul using sarcasm to express his point.

My assessment: Pastor Gulley is correct that a culture of “recrimination and judgment “ has too often been the emphasis of conservative Christians.  Fire and brimstone to scare shaking sinners into faith.  The problem is that fire and brimstone, which is a biblical concept, can only produce fear.  Fear cannot produce the proper relationship with God: joy, praise, love, sanctification, holiness.

A climate of fear misses the point.    It really is fearsome to be alienated from God because Hell is real.  But, the true biblical meaning of the word “fear” in relation to God is positive: respect, admiration, astonishment, “awestruckness.”

The statement that “God is Love” is correct, but totally insufficient.  God is action, He is movement, He acts, He purposes.  The three Persons of the Trinity are united as One in their love for one another and we are given power to become sons of God, to share in that unity of love.

The false dichotomy between the fearsome “God of the Old Testament” and the loving “God of the New Testament” comes from our failure to understand the true nature of God.

The sacrifice which God demands is our ego, our pride, our self-sufficiency. We need to learn our place.

The paradox is this … once we learn our place as creatures created to praise, worship, and glorify the Creator, we are given the power to become priests and kings, and as C.S. Lewis points out, we are made sons (and daughters) of God, on the road to our ultimate destiny of absolute perfection, of partaking of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4).

This is part of a continuing chapter-by- chapter response to this book.  More to come.