What do you make of the counter-argument that “Theophilus” (Greek literally means “lover of God”) is not a real person? It’s a generic label. This was a critique I encountered in a secular university context. Do you think this argument has substance? Why or why not?
Will, thanks for the question. I do think it's possible that Luke is addressing his work to any follower of God and using Theophilus as a kind of persona for the reader. But the fact he adds the title "most excellent" seems to indicate a person in a real position. It's a title. Josephus uses the same phrase in the opening of his book Against Apion. Josephus writes, "I suppose that, by my books of the Antiquities of the Jews, most excellent Epaphroditus, I have made it evident to those who peruse them, that our Jewish nation is of very great antiquity..." Luke may have liked that his patron's real name also worked generally for other readers. It could be both. I have another study video that actually goes into this: ruclips.net/video/eLbYrVQVF6Q/видео.html
What do you make of the counter-argument that “Theophilus” (Greek literally means “lover of God”) is not a real person? It’s a generic label.
This was a critique I encountered in a secular university context. Do you think this argument has substance? Why or why not?
Will, thanks for the question. I do think it's possible that Luke is addressing his work to any follower of God and using Theophilus as a kind of persona for the reader.
But the fact he adds the title "most excellent" seems to indicate a person in a real position. It's a title. Josephus uses the same phrase in the opening of his book Against Apion. Josephus writes, "I suppose that, by my books of the Antiquities of the Jews, most excellent Epaphroditus, I have made it evident to those who peruse them, that our Jewish nation is of very great antiquity..."
Luke may have liked that his patron's real name also worked generally for other readers. It could be both.
I have another study video that actually goes into this: ruclips.net/video/eLbYrVQVF6Q/видео.html
@@chasereplogle that’s fascinating, thank you I’ll take a look!