In recent years a number of groups have tried to discern the historical Jesus.  The problem with the new historical Jesus is that the authors of new books on the subject construct a radical Jesus who looks a lot like them.  Revolutionaries construct a revolutionary Jesus, feminists construct a feminist Jesus, and homosexuals construct a gay Jesus.  Anne Rice said that it is easier to compose a story of a liberal Jesus.  In effect all you write is a thinly veiled autobiography.  It is harder to allow yourself to be conformed to the Jesus of the four gospels.  Luke in particular claims that his work is historical.  He has collected the available evidence from popular narratives and earlier writings and so includes a lot of evidence (30% of the book) which is not included in the other gospels.  The question is whether you will reconstruct Jesus to look like you or whether you will allow Jesus to reconstruct you to look like him?

Luke 1: 1-4

¹Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled^[a] among us, ²just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. ³Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, ⁴so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

Questions

1. Among whom have things been fulfilled?
2. What has Luke investigated?
3. Why is Luke writing this book?
4. Have you investigated the life of Jesus?  What is your opinion of him?
5. How would you describe your certainty about the life of Jesus?

Going Deeper

Observation

1. What have people done with an account of the things fulfilled among us?
2. What did eyewitnesses and servants of the word do?
3. What kind of account was written?
4. To whom was it written?
5. What things should the recipient know with certainty after reading this gospel?

Interpretation

1. In what ways are drawing up and handing down accounts referring to different processes of remembering?
2. From what sources is Luke drawing?
3. What does Theophilus mean?  Is this a real person? 
4. Why might Theophilus be doubting?
5. Who do you think taught Theophilus?

Application

1. Which gospels have you read?
2. What should we do with The Gospel of Thomas and other gospels?
3. Do you trust the gospels as historical?  Why do people choose to ignore their claims of historicity?
4. How can your faith be changed by taking the gospel of Luke at face value?
5. How can you carefully investigate the evidence for faith in Christ Jesus?