The Significance of Theophilus as Luke's Reader

Book excerpt: Few studies of Luke's Gospel (or Acts) give much attention to Theophilus and his potential significance despite the fact that Luke indicates specifically that he is writing 'for Theophilus'. Those which do not recognize the importance of Theophilus nevertheless dismiss him because almost nothing is known about the individual. Admittedly, we are left to conjecture and theory but the task, however daunting, is still necessary. A proper appreciation of Luke's Gospel - particularly when it departs from Markan tradition - must look to Theophilus' interests and concerns as the likely influence on the way the material is presented. To ignore Theophilus and to refer instead to Luke's 'church audience' is dangerous. This book attempts to solve the mystery of Theophilus and the man's influence on Luke's version of the tradition. As noted by H.J. Cadbury, the New Testament scholar is a virtual detective.