Watched Lecture 10: The Acts of the Apostles by Dale B. Martin from RLST 152: Introduction to the New Testament History and Literature

The speech that Stephen gives before his accusers in Acts shows how the author of Luke-Acts used and edited his sources. So, also, does the description of the destruction of Jerusalem in Luke, as compared to that in Mark. The major themes of Luke-Acts are 1) the Gospel going first to the Jews and then to gentiles and 2) that of the prophet-martyr, with Jesus as the prophet-martyr par excellence.

Stephens Speech in the Acts of the Apostles [00:00:00]

The Destruction [00:19:18]

Luke's Gospel to the Jews First [00:24:18]

The Prophet-Martyr in Luke and Acts [00:38:19]

Apparently Christians have been bending their stories to suit their point of view since the very beginning. Interesting to hear some of these story-telling traditions and viewpoints and compare them with current political and religious traditions. Not much has changed in 2000 years. I can’t help but think: “Do as I say and not as I do.”