<description>&lt;p&gt;In his famous prologue, Luke indicates that his Gospel is addressed to a “most excellent Theophilus.” As others had done, Luke decided to write an orderly account about the things Jesus had accomplished “among us.” So, was Luke suggesting that both he and Theophilus had witnessed some of these events? And since Theophilus was described with such an honorific title, is it possible to see him as the Jerusalem high priest mentioned by Josephus? Joining Shane to discuss these questions and more is Dr. Peter G. Bolt, author of &lt;em&gt;Luke: A Commentary&lt;/em&gt;, published by The Gospel Coalition.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;For detailed notes related to this episode, &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/notes-for-episode-79"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;click here&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;strong&gt;.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;SPECIAL OFFER — For a gift of any size, we’ll send you a pre-release PDF download of Shane’s book, &lt;/em&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/joanna-an-obscure-disciple-or-lukes"&gt;&lt;em&gt;Luke’s Key Witness&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;em&gt;, along with a 35-page PDF resource titled &lt;/em&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/the-world-of-josephus"&gt;&lt;em&gt;Josephus &amp; His World&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;em&gt;. If you’re already a paid subscriber, you can access both resources &lt;/em&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/the-world-of-josephus"&gt;&lt;em&gt;here&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;em&gt;. To donate or subscribe, &lt;/em&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/how-to-support-the-humble-skeptic"&gt;&lt;em&gt;click here&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;em&gt;.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;SHOW NOTES&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Books&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/luke/"&gt;Luke: A Commentary&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Peter G. Bolt — &lt;/em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;FREE&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.christianbook.com/gospel-women-studies-the-named-gospels/richard-bauckham/9780802849991/pd/49997?event=BRSRCG|PSBR"&gt;Gospel Women&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Richard Bauckham&lt;/em&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.christianbook.com/living-footnotes-gospel-reliance-eyewitness-sources/9781666765366/pd/765369"&gt;Living Footnotes in the Gospel of Luke&lt;/a&gt;,&lt;em&gt; Luuk van de Weghe&lt;/em&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.abebooks.com/9781947929272/Historical-Tell-Patterns-Eyewitness-Testimony-1947929275/plp"&gt;The Historical Tell&lt;/a&gt;,&lt;em&gt; Luuk van de Weghe&lt;/em&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://capitaloneshopping.com/p/redating-the-new-testament/7ZWLDKW8VB"&gt;Redating the New Testament&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;em&gt;John A.T. Robinson&lt;/em&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.abebooks.com/9781725276642/Redating-Matthew-Mark-Luke-Fresh-172527664X/plp"&gt;Redating Matthew, Mark &amp; Luke&lt;/a&gt;,&lt;em&gt; John Wenham&lt;/em&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&amp;#38;amp;p=1233100&amp;#38;amp;item_no=552953"&gt;Can We Trust The Gospels?&lt;/a&gt; &lt;em&gt;Peter J. Williams&lt;/em&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&amp;#38;amp;p=1233100&amp;#38;amp;item_no=929234"&gt;Testimonies to the Truth&lt;/a&gt;,&lt;em&gt; Lydia McGrew&lt;/em&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/joanna-an-obscure-disciple-or-lukes"&gt;Luke’s Key Witness&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Shane Rosenthal&lt;/em&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.abebooks.com/9781925730333/Gods-Grace-Inscribed-Human-Heart-1925730336/plp"&gt;God’s Grace Inscribed on the Human Heart&lt;/a&gt;,&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Peter Bolt (editor)&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt;The above book features Dr. Bolt’s essay on Joanna &amp; Theophilus&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Articles&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/notes-for-episode-79"&gt;Detailed Notes for Episode #79&lt;/a&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/is-luke-a-trustworthy-historian"&gt;Is Luke a Trustworthy Historian&lt;/a&gt;? &lt;em&gt;Sir William Ramsay&lt;/em&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/can-we-trust-lukes-history-of-the"&gt;Can We Trust Luke’s History of the Early Jesus Movement&lt;/a&gt;? &lt;em&gt;Shane Rosenthal&lt;/em&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/on-faith-and-history"&gt;On Faith &amp; History&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Shane Rosenthal&lt;/em&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/who-is-sergius-paulus"&gt;Who is Sergius Paulus&lt;/a&gt;?&lt;em&gt; Shane Rosenthal&lt;/em&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/simon-of-cyrene-an-intriguing-archaelogical"&gt;Simon of Cyrene: An Intriguing Archaeological Discovery&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Shane Rosenthal&lt;/em&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/the-implications-of-70-ad-on-the"&gt;The Implications of 70 AD&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Shane Rosenthal&lt;/em&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/a-pre-70-date-for-the-gospels-and"&gt;A Pre-70 Date for the Gospels &amp; Acts&lt;/a&gt;&lt;em&gt;, Shane Rosenthal&lt;/em&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/the-date-of-johns-gospel-revisited"&gt;The Date of John’s Gospel, Revisited&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Shane Rosenthal&lt;/em&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/outside-the-gospels-what-can-we-really"&gt;Outside the Gospels, What Can We Know About Jesus&lt;/a&gt;?&lt;em&gt; Shane Rosenthal&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Episodes&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/did-josephus-ever-mention-jesus"&gt;Did Josephus Ever Mention Jesus&lt;/a&gt;? &lt;em&gt;Episode #77 with T.C. Schmidt&lt;/em&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/jesus-in-josephus-and-other-ancient"&gt;Jesus in Josephus &amp; Other Ancient Texts&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Episode #78 with T.C. Schmidt&lt;/em&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/did-the-exodus-ever-happen"&gt;Did the Exodus Ever Happen&lt;/a&gt;? &lt;em&gt;Episode #69 with David Rohl&lt;/em&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/locating-golgotha"&gt;Locating Golgotha&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Episode #17 with David Rohl&lt;/em&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/stories-of-jesus-can-they-be-trusted"&gt;Stories of Jesus: Can They Be Trusted&lt;/a&gt;? &lt;em&gt;Episode. #61 with Peter J. Williams&lt;/em&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/are-the-gospels-history-or-fiction"&gt;Are the Gospels History or Fiction?&lt;/a&gt;&lt;em&gt; Ep. #52 with John Dickson&lt;/em&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/the-gospel-creed"&gt;The Gospel Creed&lt;/a&gt;&lt;em&gt;, Episode #9 &lt;/em&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://shanerose.substack.com/p/faith-founded-on-facts"&gt;Faith Founded on Facts&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Episode #15&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Video&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;em&gt;— featuring Shane Rosenthal, discussing Luke’s Key Witness&lt;/em&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fn5MLYpzzQA"&gt;The Alisa Childers Podcast&lt;/a&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-6NeP7ENRk"&gt;Cross Examined with Frank Turek&lt;/a&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/you-can-handle-the-truth"&gt;You Can Handle The Truth&lt;/a&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vT8ZnOwnqDY&amp;#38;t=14s"&gt;F4F with Chris Rosebrough&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Get full access to The Humble Skeptic at &lt;a href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&amp;#38;utm_campaign=CTA_4"&gt;www.humbleskeptic.com/subscribe&lt;/a&gt;</description>

The Humble Skeptic

Truth Isn't Afraid of Questions

Who Is Theophilus?

SEP 5, 202537 MIN
The Humble Skeptic

Who Is Theophilus?

SEP 5, 202537 MIN

Description

<p>In his famous prologue, Luke indicates that his Gospel is addressed to a “most excellent Theophilus.” As others had done, Luke decided to write an orderly account about the things Jesus had accomplished “among us.” So, was Luke suggesting that both he and Theophilus had witnessed some of these events? And since Theophilus was described with such an honorific title, is it possible to see him as the Jerusalem high priest mentioned by Josephus? Joining Shane to discuss these questions and more is Dr. Peter G. Bolt, author of <em>Luke: A Commentary</em>, published by The Gospel Coalition.</p><p><strong>For detailed notes related to this episode, </strong><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/notes-for-episode-79"><strong>click here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><em>SPECIAL OFFER — For a gift of any size, we’ll send you a pre-release PDF download of Shane’s book, </em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/joanna-an-obscure-disciple-or-lukes"><em>Luke’s Key Witness</em></a><em>, along with a 35-page PDF resource titled </em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/the-world-of-josephus"><em>Josephus & His World</em></a><em>. If you’re already a paid subscriber, you can access both resources </em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/the-world-of-josephus"><em>here</em></a><em>. To donate or subscribe, </em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/how-to-support-the-humble-skeptic"><em>click here</em></a><em>.</em></p><p>SHOW NOTES</p><p><strong>Books</strong><a target="_blank" href="https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/luke/">Luke: A Commentary</a>, <em>Peter G. Bolt — </em><strong>FREE</strong><a target="_blank" href="https://www.christianbook.com/gospel-women-studies-the-named-gospels/richard-bauckham/9780802849991/pd/49997?event=BRSRCG|PSBR">Gospel Women</a>, <em>Richard Bauckham</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.christianbook.com/living-footnotes-gospel-reliance-eyewitness-sources/9781666765366/pd/765369">Living Footnotes in the Gospel of Luke</a>,<em> Luuk van de Weghe</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.abebooks.com/9781947929272/Historical-Tell-Patterns-Eyewitness-Testimony-1947929275/plp">The Historical Tell</a>,<em> Luuk van de Weghe</em><a target="_blank" href="https://capitaloneshopping.com/p/redating-the-new-testament/7ZWLDKW8VB">Redating the New Testament</a>, <em>John A.T. Robinson</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.abebooks.com/9781725276642/Redating-Matthew-Mark-Luke-Fresh-172527664X/plp">Redating Matthew, Mark & Luke</a>,<em> John Wenham</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&#38;amp;p=1233100&#38;amp;item_no=552953">Can We Trust The Gospels?</a> <em>Peter J. Williams</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&#38;amp;p=1233100&#38;amp;item_no=929234">Testimonies to the Truth</a>,<em> Lydia McGrew</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/joanna-an-obscure-disciple-or-lukes">Luke’s Key Witness</a>, <em>Shane Rosenthal</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.abebooks.com/9781925730333/Gods-Grace-Inscribed-Human-Heart-1925730336/plp">God’s Grace Inscribed on the Human Heart</a>,<strong> </strong><em>Peter Bolt (editor)</em><em>The above book features Dr. Bolt’s essay on Joanna & Theophilus</em></p><p><strong>Articles</strong><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/notes-for-episode-79">Detailed Notes for Episode #79</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/is-luke-a-trustworthy-historian">Is Luke a Trustworthy Historian</a>? <em>Sir William Ramsay</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/can-we-trust-lukes-history-of-the">Can We Trust Luke’s History of the Early Jesus Movement</a>? <em>Shane Rosenthal</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/on-faith-and-history">On Faith & History</a>, <em>Shane Rosenthal</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/who-is-sergius-paulus">Who is Sergius Paulus</a>?<em> Shane Rosenthal</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/simon-of-cyrene-an-intriguing-archaelogical">Simon of Cyrene: An Intriguing Archaeological Discovery</a>, <em>Shane Rosenthal</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/the-implications-of-70-ad-on-the">The Implications of 70 AD</a>, <em>Shane Rosenthal</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/a-pre-70-date-for-the-gospels-and">A Pre-70 Date for the Gospels & Acts</a><em>, Shane Rosenthal</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/the-date-of-johns-gospel-revisited">The Date of John’s Gospel, Revisited</a>, <em>Shane Rosenthal</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/outside-the-gospels-what-can-we-really">Outside the Gospels, What Can We Know About Jesus</a>?<em> Shane Rosenthal</em></p><p><strong>Episodes</strong><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/did-josephus-ever-mention-jesus">Did Josephus Ever Mention Jesus</a>? <em>Episode #77 with T.C. Schmidt</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/jesus-in-josephus-and-other-ancient">Jesus in Josephus & Other Ancient Texts</a>, <em>Episode #78 with T.C. Schmidt</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/did-the-exodus-ever-happen">Did the Exodus Ever Happen</a>? <em>Episode #69 with David Rohl</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/locating-golgotha">Locating Golgotha</a>, <em>Episode #17 with David Rohl</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/stories-of-jesus-can-they-be-trusted">Stories of Jesus: Can They Be Trusted</a>? <em>Episode. #61 with Peter J. Williams</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/are-the-gospels-history-or-fiction">Are the Gospels History or Fiction?</a><em> Ep. #52 with John Dickson</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/the-gospel-creed">The Gospel Creed</a><em>, Episode #9 </em><a target="_blank" href="https://shanerose.substack.com/p/faith-founded-on-facts">Faith Founded on Facts</a>, <em>Episode #15</em></p><p><strong>Video</strong> <em>— featuring Shane Rosenthal, discussing Luke’s Key Witness</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fn5MLYpzzQA">The Alisa Childers Podcast</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-6NeP7ENRk">Cross Examined with Frank Turek</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/you-can-handle-the-truth">You Can Handle The Truth</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vT8ZnOwnqDY&#38;t=14s">F4F with Chris Rosebrough</a></p><p></p> <br/><br/>Get full access to The Humble Skeptic at <a href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_4">www.humbleskeptic.com/subscribe</a>