I have been wondering why we should assume that the Theophilus to whom GLuke/Acts were addressed was any specific Theophilus?
The name Theophilus - meaning "male lover of god" - seems to me to be a useful literary construct so that GLuke-Acts's author could address an idealized male reader, described as a "male lover of god", who would be either a Christian or a person who, through devotion to a god, might be attracted to Christianity.
I am, however, an amateur, so I am wondering whether such thoughts have been considered or accepted by any scholar of the Bible. If so, are they a widely accepted conclusion in any way?
Theophilus in Luke-Acts as Ideal Reader rather than Specific Person?
Re: Theophilus in Luke-Acts as Ideal Reader rather than Specific Person?
The enigma is easily resolved: Theophilus means lover of god. Which god is meant? The creator, obviously.
Contra Marcion.
Contra Marcion.
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Re: Theophilus in Luke-Acts as Ideal Reader rather than Specific Person?
Theophilos o9f Antiochia, author of Autolyco.
Re: Theophilus in Luke-Acts as Ideal Reader rather than Specific Person?
Who has made such an argument, and how widely accepted is it?
Re: Theophilus in Luke-Acts as Ideal Reader rather than Specific Person?
Too much divine coincidence, that the interlocutor of "Luke" (editor) had a name that honoured the exact object of rivalry between "Luke" and his/her source (=Mcn): the supreme God. Isn'it?