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the part of many writers to produce a 'harmony' of the four Gospels that does
not exhibit patches and gaps that no ingenuity can hide or fill, warns us
against attempting this task. In contrast, we must place the light and truth
that are revealed the moment we 'try the things that differ', 'compare
spiritual things with spiritual' and seek to emulate the unashamed workman of
2 Timothy 2:15. Luke tells us that he had been moved to the writing of his
treatise by the fact that (1) many had taken in hand to set forth in order a
declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us and (2)
that he himself, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very
first, felt likewise the urge to write in order, so that the most excellent
Theophilus might know the certainty of those things wherein he had been
instructed. The movement of thought in this introduction is twofold. Our
attention is first of all directed to 'many' by Luke and then to himself, 'me
also'; in both there is an emphasis upon 'order' and 'certainty' although
different words are employed. Luke speaks of 'eye-witnesses' 'from the very
first' as well as having perfect understanding of all things from the very
first. Luke does not say that he owed anything to those who were eye-
witnesses, but that he had been fully equipped for the task. This would not
rule out the accredited testimony of others; it only assumes independent
responsibility in the selection and presentation of the subject matter.
Introduction (Luke 1:1-4)
A
1:1.
Forasmuch
Formal Introduction
(classical usage).
B
1:1.
Many
The other writers.
C
1:1.
Object
To set forth a declaration in order.
D
1:1.
Substance
Things most surely believed.
E
1:2.
From beginning
Eye-witnesses.
A
1:3.
It seemed good
Formal introduction (Acts 15:25,28).
E
1:3.
From very first
Perfect understanding.
B
1:3.
Me also
The present writer.
C
1:3.
Object
To write unto thee in order.
D
1:4.
Substance
Certainty of things instructed.
We have observed that the formal 'Forasmuch' has classical parallels.
We now observe that in verse 3 Luke adopts another set of formal introductory
words, which we later find were employed by the council at Jerusalem when
they prefaced their letter to Gentile believers with the words 'It seemed
good to us, being assembled with one accord' and 'it seemed good to the Holy
Ghost and to us' (Acts 15:25,28).
The birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension of the Incarnate
Word, the Son of God, most naturally and most rightly moved many to take in
hand the praiseworthy task of collecting and preserving the testimony of
those who were eye-witnesses and ministers of 'The Word', and there is no
suggestion here that these records were untrue, or that they were apocryphal
gospels. Luke, while recognizing their worth, was impelled to write a fuller