R.C. Sproul's Blog, page 549

Introductions: Luke

Who wrote it? When was it written and why?

These are some of the important questions to answer as you explore any book of the Bible. To aid you in your study of God's Word we're adapting and posting some of the detailed book introductions found in The Reformation Study Bible.

Today, please allow The Reformation Study Bible to introduce you to...

The Gospel According to Luke

Author | Date & Occasion | Characteristics & Themes

Author

It is commonly accepted that Luke and Acts have a single author; the style and vocabulary are similar and both books are addressed to Theophilus. Although the author never names himself, several passages using the pronoun "we" suggest that the author was a companion of Paul on some of his travels (Acts 16:10–17; 20:5–16; 21:1–18; 27:1–28:16). Among the persons named in the letters Paul wrote from Rome (where the "we" sections end), the most likely candidate is Luke. In agreement with this, tradition unanimously ascribes the book to Luke.

...the most likely candidate is Luke. In agreement with this, tradition unanimously ascribes the book to Luke.

The preface to Luke shows that the writer was not an eyewitness of the events recorded in the Gospel. All of Luke and Acts shows that Luke was a man of culture who had searched out the information he needed, but was not one of the original followers of Jesus. It is sometimes urged against Luke's authorship that his theology, especially in Acts, does not agree with Paul. But there is no reason why Luke should repeat what Paul said, and no evidence that he had read Paul's letters. Nor is it likely that Luke was one of Paul's converts. The writer does not contradict Paul, and we must allow for a certain independence. The objection reduces to the notion that Luke writes in his own way.

Nothing certain is known about Luke other than what we can glean from his two books. According to tradition he came from Antioch and was a physician (Col. 4:14). An argument has been made that Luke uses medical language. However, it seems that physicians in New Testament times did not have a technical language of their own, and Luke's vocabulary does not go beyond what was used by lay people. But there is nothing inconsistent with the tradition that he was a physician, and the author certainly shows an interest in the sick.

Date and Occasion

Luke and Acts may have been written about A.D. 63. Acts ends with Paul still under house arrest in Rome, and it is reasonable to think that if Luke knew of Paul's release or death he would have mentioned it. Luke notes that the prophecy of Agabus was fulfilled (Acts 11:28); he would surely have done the same with Jesus' prophecy of the destruction of Jerusalem (Luke 21:20) if he was writing after A.D. 70. Acts mentions nothing that must be dated after A.D. 62 and shows no knowledge of Paul's letters. All these factors argue for an early date.

Acts mentions nothing that must be dated after A.D. 62 and shows no knowledge of Paul's letters. All these factors argue for an early date.

Some interpreters argue for a date of A.D. 75–85, saying that some of Luke's wording presupposes the destruction of Jerusalem, which occurred in A.D. 70 (e.g., Luke 19:43; 21:20, 24). But these passages speak of what was customary in sieges of the time, and not much can be made of them if no more is said than that Jesus predicted that current policies meant disaster in due course. A few critics have argued for a date in the second century, but there seems to be no good reason for this. With the information at our disposal a date in the early 60s is reasonable.

Luke tells us in the preface that his purpose is to provide an accurate, well-ordered account of the basic Christian message, to enable his reader to "know the certainty" of the things he has learned (Luke 1:4). Both the Gospel and Acts are dedicated to the "most excellent Theophilus." Such a dedication is common in books intended for a wider audience.

Characteristics and Themes

Luke was clearly a cultured person, able to write in a variety of styles. His opening paragraph is classical in style, while in other places his language resembles the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament). Clearly he saw this as a suitable style for the religious writing in which he was engaged.

Luke makes it clear that this salvation is available for sinful people. He has a strong concern for the disreputable...

His main interest is salvation history, the story of what God has done in Jesus to bring salvation to sinners. Luke makes it clear that this salvation is available for sinful people. He has a strong concern for the disreputable, who were neglected in contemporary religion but could find peace in God's salvation. Luke records a number of predictions of the suffering and death of Christ and devotes much space to it. He is sometimes said to have little interest in eschatology (the last things). This is scarcely fair to Luke, for the thought that the kingdom of God will come in power at the end time is certainly present (Luke 12:35–48; 17:22–37; 21:25–36).

Luke concerns himself with many people who would be neglected by most writers of his day—children, women, and the poor. Though these were commonly regarded as having no great significance, Luke demonstrates Jesus' special concern for them.

Prominent in the literary structure of the Gospel is Luke's description of Jesus' journey toward Jerusalem and the sacrifice of the Cross (Luke 9:51–19:44). The sovereignty of God in Jesus' ministry and death is highlighted as Jesus moves toward the city where He must die for sinners (Luke 9:22; 17:25; 18:31–33; cf. Acts 4:28).

The importance of prayer is stressed. Luke records that Jesus prayed before crucial occasions of His ministry. Nine of Jesus' prayers are included in the Gospel (seven of them found only in Luke), along with parables on prayer found only in Luke.

Expressions of joy often accompany the good news of the Messiah in Luke. Only this Gospel includes the magnificent songs of joy that accompanied the birth of the Messiah (Luke 1:46–55, 68–79; 2:14, 29–32).

Own The Reformation Study Bible and have access to more than 20,000 study notes, 96 theological articles, contributions from 50 evangelical scholars, 19 in-text maps and 12 charts.

Read Sample Chapters
Purchase The Reformation Study Bible

Adapted from The Reformation Study Bible, © 2005 Ligonier Ministries.

Why Did Joel Beeke Write "Parenting by God's Promises"?

In this newly released trailer for Parenting by God's Promises, Joel Beeke explains why he wrote this book on parenting.

Parents are unable to give their children what they need most—new hearts that trust in Christ for forgiveness of sins. All belief is a work of God alone. But parents must not "hinder" their children from coming to Christ, as Jesus' disciples sought to hinder mothers and fathers from bringing small children to Him (Mark 10:13–16). On the contrary, they must do everything in their power to "bring" their children to the Savior, which means raising their sons and daughters in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:4).

Parenting by God's Promises: How to Raise Children in the Covenant of Grace is available from ReformationTrust.com

Salt of the Earth

"You are the salt of the earth… . You are the light of the world… . Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven" (Matt. 5:13–16).

That text is often cited as if it were a mandate for the church to engage in political activism — lobbying, rallying voters, organizing protests, and harnessing the evangelical movement for political clout. I recently heard a well-known evangelical leader say, "We need to make our voices heard in the voting booth, or we're not being salt and light the way Jesus commanded."

That view is pervasive. Say the phrase “salt and light,” and the typical evangelical starts talking politics as if by Pavlovian reflex.

But look at Jesus' statement carefully in its context. He was not drumming up boycotts, protests, or a political campaign. He was calling His disciples to holy living.

The salt-and-light discourse is the culminating paragraph of the introduction to Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. It comes immediately after the Beatitudes. Jesus was pronouncing a formal blessing on the key traits of authentic godliness.

The world glorifies power and dominion...By contrast, Jesus blesses humility... —@Phil_Johnson_

What's most notable about the Beatitudes is that the qualities Jesus blesses are not the same attributes the world typically thinks are worthy of praise. The world glorifies power and dominion, force and physical strength, status and class. By contrast, Jesus blesses humility, meekness, mercy, mourning, purity of heart, and even persecution for righteousness’ sake. Collectively, these qualities are the polar opposite of political clout and partisan power.

Continue reading Salt of the Earth, Phil Johnson's contribution to the January issue of Tabletalk.

Announcing Special Guest Michael Card

We are pleased to announce that new for the 2012 National Conference, we will be having Michael Card join us as our special guest. Known to many of you as a Christian recording artist and songwriter, Michael Card is also an accomplished author and radio host.

Throughout the 2012 National Conference, Michael will be leading some hymns and singing several special songs, in addition to teaching an optional session on the topic of "Christ and Creativity."

"One of the most important lessons the Lord has taught me is that you are not your gift. ...Like Jesus, we are called to give ourselves. That is the real purpose behind our gifts; they are vehicles for giving the self."

—Michael Card

Michael Card has had a long relationship with Ligonier Ministries, contributing to and being interviewed for Tabletalk magazine, as well as having his music available from the Ligonier store.

Michael Card Resources

Reflecting the Art of God by Michael Card
Vehicles for Giving the Self: An Interview with Michael Card
Hymns (CD) by Michael Card
My Cry Ascends (CD) featuring Michael Card

The Christian Mind: 2012 National Conference

Registration | Speakers | Schedule | Trailer (Video)

On March 15-17, 2012, we invite you to come and and hear Michael Card at our 2012 National Conference, "The Christian Mind." It will be an edifying time of fellowship and teaching together, helping prepare you to think like a Christian in an anti-Christian culture.

The early bird registration rate ends this Friday, so register today to save $50.

We look forward to seeing you and Michael Card in Orlando this March.

Simple Steps for Family Worship — Part 2

We began a series on family worship last week to encourage Christian families in this vital but often neglected area. Family worship shouldn't be a burden to avoid, but a joy to look forward to each day.

In part 1, R.C. Sproul Jr. shared how his family addresses timing, what to do when you're with guests or away from home, and catechism memory work. If you haven't read it yet, please do. Today, he continues with the topics of Scripture memory, Scripture reading, and prayer.

Remember, this is not a "Sproul Jr. liturgy" that we all must follow, but a practical example we pray will be helpful.

Part 1 | Part 2

Scripture Memory

Then we move on to Bible memory. We have a "complicated" system for that, too. Right now our family is working through the Psalms, so every day we recite one of the psalms we have learned and we work on a new psalm. Don't be overly impressed; we are only up to twelve. I don't know what we're going to do when they get really long. When we get to Psalm 119, then you can be impressed. But again, we use the same system. I say a verse or part of a verse, and the kids repeat it. My older kids make fun of me because I have my Bible open as I'm helping them learn these things, but they know many of the psalms by heart.

Scripture Reading

Then we move to Scripture reading. We have done our Scripture readings in different ways. Sometimes we read a book of the Bible. Sometimes, when we have a new child who is very small, we use one of the children's Bible storybooks. I want to give them a very basic understanding of the flow of Scripture. Right now we're going through one of those Bible storybooks where Jesus has eyes that look like Ping-Pong balls.

I read the story, then I give my sermon, and my sermons are typically twenty to thirty seconds long. I give the children some sort of lesson from the text. I want to bring the text to bear on their lives and mine.

This gives me an opportunity to practice the first corollary to the "R. C. Sproul Jr. principle of hermeneutics." Hermeneutics is the study of interpretation, and the R. C. Sproul Jr. principle of hermeneutics states that whenever you are reading your Bible and you see someone doing something really stupid, you must not say to yourself, "How can he be so stupid?" but "How am I more stupid?" The first corollary to this principle is that whenever you are reading a story in the Bible and you wonder who you are in the story, you are the sinner. If you are reading a story and there is more than one sinner, as in the parable of the prodigal son, you're both. So we read our Bible text and I ask: "Children, how are we like this person? And how are we like that person? And how am I like this person or that person?" That's the sermon.

Prayer

After the sermon, I take prayer requests. I ask, "Children, what would you like Daddy to pray for tonight?" Now, I encourage my children to pray. They pray before they go to bed. They pray at times during home-school. They pray on many occasions. But when we gather together for family worship, they don't pray. Why not? From the beginning, I have done the praying at family worship because I want to communicate to them—and, more importantly, to myself—the importance of the father's priestly role in the home. I am saying to them and to myself, "I am responsible, as the head of this home, to take you before the throne of God, to beseech the God of heaven and earth for your wellbeing."

In fact, when the children were younger, we even had a posture to help communicate this—again, more to me than to them. I would ask the little ones to come sit on my lap. I would take one on each leg, put my arms around the children, put my hands over their heads, and pray for them. I would ask God to bless them specifically. My son Campbell would ask every night, "Please ask God that we would grow in grace, in the fruit of the spirit, and in wisdom." God has blessed him with wisdom.

This series is adapted from material in R.C. Sproul Jr.'s contribution to Holy, Holy, Holy: Proclaiming the Perfections of God.

In the final installment next week, R.C. Sproul Jr. will discuss singing during family worship, and then address some objections.

Twitter Highlights (1/15/12)

Here are highlights from the various Ligonier Twitter feeds over the past week.

Differences should humble us & drive us back to the Scriptures to test all claims to truth. —Robert Godfrey bit.ly/kHgI54

— Reformation Trust (@RefTrust) January 9, 2012

This Gospel is the only Gospel: there is no other; and to change its substance is to pervert and indeed destroy it. - Dr. R.C. Sproul

— Ligonier Connect (@LigonierConnect) January 9, 2012

Love is not maximum emotion. Love is maximum commitment (Sinclair Ferguson).

— Ligonier Academy (@LigonierAcademy) January 10, 2012

[God] doesn't invite people to be saved. He commands them. —R.C. Sproul

— Ligonier Ministries (@Ligonier) January 10, 2012

It is in many places a lost labour to seek for Christianity among Christians (John Owen).

— Tabletalk Magazine (@Tabletalk) January 13, 2012

When John Knox went upstairs to plead with God for Scotland, it was the greatest event in Scottish history. —Spurgeon bit.ly/jrxtD3

— Reformation Trust (@RefTrust) January 13, 2012

Grace and mercy are never deserved. —R.C. Sproul

— Ligonier Ministries (@Ligonier) January 13, 2012

You can also find our various ministries on Facebook:

Ligonier Ministries | Ligonier Academy | Ligonier Connect
Reformation Bible College | Reformation Trust | Tabletalk Magazine

We Have Met the Enemy

Though I am optimistic about the long-term future, believing that the nations will in fact be discipled, and the kingdom will cover the earth the way the water covers the seas, it's an ugly world out there. Every cultural indicator is alarming- more divorce, more illegitimacy, more crime, more drugs. Our entertainment is increasingly morbid and putrid. Those who practice sexual perversions have become a protected class. Business, families and governments sink deeper and deeper into debt. The church has not just grown increasingly worldly, but now celebrates its worldliness, calling it outreach. And we still haven't even touched on the one evil that dwarfs them all, the 3,500 moms who each day murder their own babies, while the rest of us watch.

And so we wring our hands about what they are doing. We write our blog pieces about our strategies to change them. We bewail their folly. We hold our prayer vigils, all of which amounts to, "I thank you Lord that I am not like other men." Antithesis is important. So much of the problem among God's people is that our identity is found outside the body. We have forgotten the reality of the war between the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent. We have forgotten our call to make manifest the reign of Christ over all things.

That reign, however is not marked by the glory of battle victory. It is not found where we triumphantly plant the flag of Jesus. The antithesis is far too deep for that. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal. His reign is manifest as we fall to our knees. His victory song is no martial fanfare, but is instead a dirge, as we cry out "Lord, be merciful to me a sinner. " The glory is the cross, but the cross is also the glory.

Things, in short, are bad out there because that's where we are. Those who name the name of Christ create those alarming cultural statistics. Christians are the ones consuming Hollywood's sewage. We are the ones who can't tell the difference between a man and a woman, between the natural and the unnatural. We are the ones who not only spend our children's inheritance, but demand that the state put our grandchildren deeper in debt. We are the ones flocking to arenas to pay homage to rock star preachers. Worst of all, we are the ones going to abortion mills- not to pray and preach but to procure. We have met the enemy, and he is us.

We, however, have been given the solution. We don't need a new strategy. We don't need a new political coalition. What we need is to repent and believe the gospel. We must acknowledge our sins, and turn from them. The first sin to confess is our pride, our blindness to our blindness. And then let us confess that good news that first changed a dying and decadent empire two thousand years ago- Christ is Lord. And then let us pray that He would be pleased to once again change the world with that most precious seed, that most potent weapon, the blood of His martyrs.

Are Christians Religious?

Reformation21 posted an excerpt today from Burk Parsons' forthcoming booklet, Why Do We Have Creeds?

In our day, unlike in the days of generations past, we have much too simplistic a view of what it means to believe something. In the world today, many people use the word "believe" to describe their feelings about something or describe a fleeting wish or hopeful desire. But as we consider the word belief, or faith, in its fullest biblical sense, we see that the word implies God's gracious act of giving and our humble act of receiving and resting on Christ alone, which involves our entire being: the heart, the mind, and the will.

Although we use the word belief in conjunction with all areas of human experience, usually when we use the word it is in the context of religious belief. The word "religious," however, and all its derivatives, has fallen on hard times recently due largely to its longtime inappropriate use among those who understood neither the true Christian religion nor the genuine relationship with Christ by faith alone on which all Christian doctrine is established. Thus, preferring to emphasize their personal relationship with Christ over and against the religion that comes as a necessary and appropriate consequence of that relationship, many Christians, with the best intentions, have relegated their faith to one area of life rather than allowing their faith to overflow into every area of life, which is the essential nature of faith itself--to encompass all of life by acknowledging, affirming, and applying the Christian doctrine we believe, confess, and proclaim.

In the New Testament, James (1:22-25) repudiates the "worthless" religion of those who are merely "hearers" of the Word without being actual "doers" of the Word, writing, If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world (James 1:26-27).

James' point is simple--if our mouths (v. 26) and our lives (v. 22) do not demonstrate the authenticity of pure and undefiled religion then we are simply deceiving ourselves and deceiving our hearts (vv. 22, 26).

Continue reading Faith vs. Religion? by Burk Parsons.

R.C. Sproul and Del Tackett Discuss The Christian Mind

With the 2012 National Conference quickly approaching, on today's Renewing Your Mind broadcast R.C. Sproul spoke with Chris Larson and Del Tackett on the theme of this year's conference: "The Christian Mind."

In the interview, R.C. Sproul and Del Tackett brought clarity to the question of the relationship between the mind and heart in the Christian life.

Listen to the Interview

Click here to listen to R.C. Sproul's complete interview with Chris Larson and Del Tackett, or use the embedded player below.

Quotes from the Interview

"People can have all kinds of information in their head. They can score 100% on a system theology exam. The devil could make an A+ on a theology exam, all the while his heart is alienated from Christ and from the things of God."
— Dr. R.C. Sproul

"You can't have affection for that which you don't know anything about. And so, in the first instance the Word of God is directed to the mind."
— Dr. R.C. Sproul

"We just are not equipped with the basic ability to defend and contend for our faith... so we separate God from our daily lives with other people."
— Dr. Del Tackett

"If you look at the vast majority of science, everything that extends from physics... there is absolutely no conflict between that and a Christian worldview."
— Dr. Del Tackett

The Christian Mind: 2012 National Conference

Registration | Speakers | Schedule | Trailer (Video)

From March 15-17, 2012, R.C. Sproul will be joined by Sinclair Ferguson, Robert Godfrey, Michael Horton, Steven J. Lawson, Albert Mohler, Stephen Meyer, R.C. Sproul Jr., and Del Tackett to consider the importance of building a Christian worldview, the role of education in the Christian life, science and God’s natural revelation, defending the faith, and many other topics.

The early bird registration rate ends next Friday, so to secure this discounted rate register today.

We look forward to seeing you in Orlando in March.

Get a Basic Overview of the Bible

The struggle to read the entire Bible

Virtually every Christian at some point has resolved to read the entire Bible. If we believe the Bible is the Word of God, it's natural not to want to miss a word of it. If God delivered a letter to your mailbox, I am sure you would read it. But the Bible is a pretty big letter, and its sheer bulk is somewhat daunting, even to the person with the best of intentions. Therefore, few Christians actually keep a resolution to read through the Bible.

At seminars, I often ask for a show of hands indicating how many people have read the entire Bible. Rarely do even 50 percent of the people answer "yes." I ask, "How many of you have read the book of Genesis?" Almost everyone raises his hand. Then I say, "Keep your hand up if you've also read Exodus." Only a few hands are lowered. "Leviticus?" That's when hands start dropping quickly. With Numbers it's even worse.

Why do many Chrisitans struggle to read the entire Bible?

Reading Genesis is almost like reading a novel. It is mostly narrative history and biography. It tells of important events in the lives of important people such as Noah, Abraham, Jacob, and Joseph. Exodus is likewise gripping, as it tells the poignant story of Israel's enslavement in Egypt and of its liberation under the leadership of Moses. The contest with Pharaoh is exciting. But when we get to Leviticus, everything changes. It's difficult reading about the ceremonies, the sacrifices, and the cleansing rituals because they are foreign to us today. We lack a road map to help us through these difficult portions of the Bible.

Begin with an overview of the Bible

Here's my recommendation: begin with an overview of the Bible. Get the basic framework first. If possible, enroll in a Ligonier Connect course online that will give you such an overview. We have also produced an audio and video series titled Dust to Glory. It gives the basic structure of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. It does not go into details, but it covers the high points of redemptive history. In addition to this series, I collaborated with Robert Wolgemuth to produce What's in the Bible? The goal of this book is to help the person who has never had a simple introduction to the Bible. In 1977, I published a book titled Knowing Scripture, which is designed to help people master the basic rules of biblical interpretation. I frankly think this book is one of the most important helps that I've ever been able to provide for people in studying the Bible, because it provides basic, foundational principles of biblical interpretation to keep people from falling into errors that would lead to distortions of the teaching of Scripture.

Once you understand the basic framework, you are much better equipped to read the Bible. Here is a pattern I recommend for people who have never read the Bible.

The Old Testament overview:

Genesis (the history of Creation, the fall, and God's covenantal dealings with the patriarchs)
Exodus (the history of Israel's liberation and formation as a nation)
Joshua (the history of the military conquest of the Promised Land)
Judges (Israel's transition from a tribal federation to a monarchy)
1 Samuel (Israel's emerging monarchy under Saul and David)
2 Samuel (David's reign)
1 Kings (Solomon and the divided kingdom)
2 Kings (the fall of Israel)
Ezra (the Israelites' return from exile)
Nehemiah (the restoration of Jerusalem)
Amos and Hosea (examples of minor prophets)
Jeremiah (an example of a major prophet)
Ecclesiastes (Wisdom Literature)
Psalms and Proverbs (Hebrew poetry)

The New Testament overview:

The Gospel of Luke (the life of Jesus)
Acts (the early church)
Ephesians (an introduction to the teaching of Paul)
1 Corinthians (life in the church)
1 Peter (an introduction to Peter)
1 Timothy (an introduction to the Pastoral Epistles)
Hebrews (Christology)
Romans (Paul's theology)

By reading these books, a student can get a basic feel for and understanding of the scope of the Bible without getting bogged down in the more difficult sections. From there, he or she can fill in the gaps to complete the reading of the entire Bible.

Excerpt adapted from Five Things Every Christian Needs to Grow by R.C. Sproul