Bibledex on Luke

Here is the video from the folks at Bibledex on the Gospel of Luke.  Like always, I don't like everything in the video, but it at least raises some of the stories and issues surrounding the the book.  One thing I didn't like is how at the very beginning the video notes, via one of its scholars, that Luke focuses on the poor, the marginalized, and women.  This is true, but this is not his primary perspective.  Many social gospel leaders point to Luke and Jesus' emphasis on the poor, but they forget that Luke was sponsored by a rich man Theophilus (Luke 1:1-4).

Anyways, the picture to the left is the traditional symbol of Luke's gospel and it is that of an ox or a bull.  The reason for this symbol (remember that John's was an eagle who can look directly at the sun) is because Luke opens and ends with a sacrifice.  At the beginning there is mention of the sacrifice Zachariah was offering when he discovered his wife was pregnant and at the end is the sacrifice of Jesus.  As a result, many use the ox or bull to point Christians towards the command to sacrifice all like Christ.  Or as Luke records Christ, "pick up your cross and follow" Jesus.

Here's the video:




For more:
Bibledex on John 
Bibledex on Romans
Bibledex on 2 Corinthians
Bibledex on Ephesians 
Bibledex on Philippians
Bibledex on Colossians 
Bibledex on 2 Thessalonians

Tabletalk Magazine on the Gospel of Luke

A small magazine that I would recommend is called Tabletalk and comes from Ligonier Ministry which is the ministry of RC Sproul.  Back in February 2009, the magazine highlighted each of the Four Gospels and they are available online.  I recommend we read each of them, but being that tonight we'll be looking at Luke, I want to especially highlight it.  It is a good summary of the book and a good place to start to understanding this important Gospel.

Robert Rothwell, the article's author, concludes:

Humanly speaking, nothing required Luke to record these aspects of Jesus’ life and ministry. He could have chosen other events to describe, for he, just like the other Evangelists, had no shortage of material from which to draw upon (John 21:25). Under the direction of God the Holy Spirit, however, Luke gave us a gospel that shows the historicity of the Christian faith and emphasizes the Almighty’s concern for Gentiles and other outcasts. We can be grateful for these emphases because they give all of us who have been cast out of the kingdom on account of our sin, Jew and Gentile alike, real hope that God has intervened in history and will not regard forever as outcasts all those who believe on His Son.

Tabletalk Magazine February 2009 - The Witness of Luke