The Assumed Authorial Unity of Luke and Acts: A Reassessment of the Evidence

by Patricia Walters

For nearly nineteen hundred years, few have questioned the single authorship of Luke and Acts. A careful reassessment of the internal and external evidence, however, reveals this assumption to be built on a shakier foundation than was previously thought. Patricia Walters's innovative study offers a statistical analysis of Luke and Acts, pointing to the existence of highly significant differences in their prose style. In particular, a comprehensive survey and re-examination of the two books' least contested authorial stratum - their seams and summaries - brings to light ancient prose compositional patterns that distinguish Luke and Acts beyond a reasonable doubt. Walters's application of statistical analysis is unique in biblical scholarship, and will provide impetus for using similar methods in other areas of the field. This book will therefore be of great interest to academic researchers and students of early Christianity, classical literature and rhetoric, and New Testament studies.

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Tim Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting as it is a kind of strait-laced take on the books of Gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles that they share a common author-redactor. Patricia Walters of Northern Illinois' Rockford College (History - Religious studies) published her research on this intriguing, data-based analysis of the New Testament documents that obviously have a separate and diverse approach to narration and use of Koine Greek / 2nd Century early Church connections (Pastoral Epistles) that deserve to be examined each according to its particular prose style. Also making it applicable and up-to-date are Walters' awareness of the different textual traditions / Alexandrian / Western versions. I rate this a 4* book as I was hoping for a little more as far as substantial issues of a longer rescension and other matters of the ancient versions reflected in the later apologists (Tertullian, Irenaeus, Origen). Very interesting thesis-dissertation