Modern historians recognize that history is never completely objective: all authors record stories that bolster their literary cause. How does Luke strengthen his theological emphases by using the conventions of ancient historiography?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Answer is 1. Like many ancient histories, Acts focuses on several key characters. Although the book is called the Acts of the Apostles, after the first few chapters it narrows its scope to the acts of Peter and Paul. Paul, in particular, travels throughout the empire establishing churches and teaching Gentiles about Jesus. Both Peter and Paul deliver speeches to further their missionary efforts. In ancient histories, speeches were fabrications that were intended to fit the occasion; they were not historically accurate records of the words of the characters. Luke, then, follows the conventions of the genre by supplying speeches that are appropriate to the narrative audience and setting. Luke's use of these historiographic elements allows him to continue to emphasize the repeated rejection of Jesus and his teachings by the Jews and the inclusion of the Gentiles in the Kingdom of God. The travel narratives, as well as many of the speeches, present the apostles as appealing to the Jews first, as Jesus did, and then, once rejected, taking the gospel to the Gentiles. This emphasis, as we will see when we turn to look at Paul's writings, is particular to Luke's goals and does not seem to be historically accurate-Paul insists that he was appointed by Jesus to be the apostle to the Gentiles.

Modern Historians Recognize That History Is Never Completely Objective: All