Luke - Acts: Imitations of Classical Greek Literature - Dr. Dennis R. MacDonald

Luke - Acts is the composite work of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament. Both of these books of the Bible are credited to Luke. They also describe the narrative of those who continued to spread Christianity, ministry of Jesus and the subsequent ministry of the apostles and the Apostolic Age

Both the books of Luke and Acts are narratives written to a man named Theophilus. The book of Acts starts out with: "The former treatise have I made", probably referring to the Gospel of Luke. Scholars believe that they were written by the same person. Luke–Acts has sometimes been presented as a single book in published Bibles or New Testaments, for example, in The Original New Testament (1985) and The Books of the Bible (2007).

Luke is the longest of the four gospels and the longest book in the New Testament; together with Acts of the Apostles it makes up a two-volume work from the same author, called Luke–Acts. The cornerstone of Luke–Acts' theology is "salvation history", the author's understanding that God's purpose is seen in the way he has acted, and will continue to act, in history.

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[hiddendragon]

A thousand years from now, Dr. Dennis R MacDonald will be remembered as the guy who destroyed Christianity. May his apostles spread the message far and wide! :)

[ghistecyk]

Derek, this whole series of videos with Dennis MacDonald is awesome. You have produced the most comprehensive collection of interviews I've seen regarding his work. It's like going to college.. great work, dude!

[alexanderholmes-brown]

This has been so eye-opening. Haven't watched the other vids with Dr. MacDonald yet but will go back and watch them now.

[aristos]

At the end, when Dr McDonald implores us to read Greek classics for their literary value and open ourselves to the beauties of literary mimesis, he is preaching to the choir: my background is in the literature of the Greeks — including Homer and Euripides — whereas the gospels are, to me, derivative. I’ve always preferred Luke for its literary style, and this has opened my eyes to (several more reasons) why. Particularly liked the discussion of syncretism. Great podcast, Derek! Looking forward to the next.

[Erin__D]

Yay! I read the Bacchae last week in preparation for this!

[a.t.]

Another great episode Derek! Keep 'em coming!

[matthewsmolinsky]

This series with DRM is awesome. He's one of the greats!

[hotblackdesiato]

So grateful to have early access to these uploads!

[cristristam]

In before the fundamentalists say that satan interpolated these parallels anachronistically in Homer to confuse humanity towards eternal damnation.

[matthewbaker]

Im an X jdub and I love your show! And your intro is the best!

[dynamic]

Another very interesting video with Dr. Dennis MacDonald..And much respect to you Derek Lambert for continue bringing good scholars upon your platform.

[recreatingadam]

Yes Now...this one has been my favourite, after my lockdown binge watch. Superb! I am IN LOVE with that parallel reading... where else in the bible would that fit??

[wallycleaver]

Great work on getting this information out.

[hzoonka]

this makes a lot of sense to me dr.D R.Mac Donald, this is a "Newer Verson" of the old "Past.its the very best a have yet seen on the "History" storys in the Bible.once again, well done.

[tavuzzipust]

At 44:27 - Courtney J P Friesen, Reading Dionysus: Euripides' Bacchae and the Cultural Contestations of Greeks, Jews, Romans, and Christians. Mohr Siebeck 2015

[abhijeetkumar]

Yes, how many hairs do you want to make a beard. Great show again.

[alestertyrell]

If Jesus was so amazing, why didnt they write about his own amazingness, instead of plagiarizing from other sources like the so-called old testament or the so-called pagan myths? Evidently they were constructing a fictional character taking pieces from other characters

Yes. Jesus is more compassionate, he´s only gonna roast you in hellfire forever

[JogoShugh]

The section from 18 minutes to 22, about Odysseus and Jesus and their wounds is just staggering. It really starts to feel to me as if Dennis, and the scholars he says who have seen at least some of this before, are revealing the truth about how the authors were influenced in writing these books. This information and realization should have profound impact upon how people view these works.

However, much like he says about the scientific revolution process, I really don't know how such knowledge can ever puncture the armor of faith that so many millions have for taking these writings as having been literally written by the hand of the divine and to be depicting literal events of history.

Perhaps it is best, as he seems to advocate, to continue focusing on the achievement of the authors in producing magnificent works which depict Jesus as a being who embodies compassion in far better ways than the characters that are imitated and "upgraded".

[unmurty]

Wikipedia is so biased on Dennis Macdonald. Don't contribute a single cent to Wikipedia. It only presents the negative critiques.

[francescocarlini]

And this is the tale of Dionysus, the first anarchist...

FUCK YEAH