No Article 32s or 15-6 investigations?
I have had my fill and have profound respect and understanding for Luke when he said the following:
“Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.” Luke
As you are probably familiar, the “handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses” is akin to the 15-6 investigation file folder handed to an Article 32 investigating officer. In a 15-6 there is always a recommendation based on the evidence provided to either proceed with a 32 investigation or recommend non-judicial punishment and close out the investigation. So the first order of business for the Article 32 investigating officer is to review the previous statements, reports and claims. Luke is mentioning receiving such information here.
Now the second part:
“it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.”
Luke here is telling Theophilus he is conducting his independent investigation of the matters handed to him (the “15-6”). Basically to put it in terms we both know well, Luke is proceeding with an Article 32 (grand jury) investigation. He has what was already compiled and using those materials for background goes out and embarks on his investigation. As you may be familiar, since you said you never did one, the 32 investigating officer cannot use 15-6 witness statements and depositions and enter them as evidence in his/her investigation or at the 32 hearing. That officer must go to each witness, swear them in again and question them. In most cases this is done at the hearing as both defense, government and 32 investigating officers question witnesses directly. Luke by saying he is investigating is not telling Theophilus he has referred to the scribbled notes of Mark and some circulating codexes, but that he is investigating. That means going to the source, the actual eyewitnesses to the events recorded in his Gospel (In Acts he himself at times is an eyewitness to events).
These statements to Theophilus are clear indicators we have a man in Luke who is sober, intelligent, and understood the investigative techniques of the educated of the time. Hardly a scared superstitious peasant who declares “believe this stuff I am telling you because if you don’t you are going to hell!” Not at all, it is a reasoned plea by a very sober and educated man who had his life changed by Christ Jesus. As Gary mentioned Luke was Greek and he knew the high standards of “proof” and “evidence” that culture demanded. Also, as we see from Paul’s statement in 1 Corinthians 15, (Luke was a companion of Paul—same timeframe) there were hundreds of witnesses still alive in which Luke had access to the accounts from the ‘beginning’.
He says he is seting things down in consecutive order, but when he starts off with a 10 year error... in a putative life of only 30 years + or minus.
My doubts remain. I am glad for you that you don’t see the need for them.
That may be your interpretation, but is it not mine, and most assuredly, not Luke's. I am glad it works for you.