As it turns out, this isn't actually accurate.
First, we know that Paul said, "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness." (2 Tim 3:16) So, "Scripture" is "inspired by God"--literally "God-breathed". Then we have this interesting text in one of Peter's epistles where he groups Paul's writings with "the rest of Scripture" (2 Peter 3:14-16). So, we do have precedent where a New Testament writer refers to another New Testament writing as "Scripture". And, remember, "All Scripture is inspired by God."
Then there's this, that "interesting" thing I referenced at the beginning. In his first epistle to Timothy, Paul tells Timothy that elders are worthy of double honor. He tells why.
For the Scripture says, "YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING," and "The laborer is worthy of his wages." (1 Tim 5:18)We know that first quote comes from the Old Testament because it's in all capital letters. Okay, not really. That's just a New American Standard method of pointing out Old Testament references. It comes directly from Deuteronomy 25:4, word for word. Fine. We get that the Old Testament was "Scripture" in the New Testament times. No problem. But what about that second reference? Look all you want. It's not in the Old Testament. Do you know where we find it?
"Stay in that house, eating and drinking what they give you; for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not keep moving from house to house. (Luke 10:7)Wait, that's New Testament. It is Jesus talking. Now, remember, Luke was Paul's traveling companion. So Paul is referring to Luke here as "Scripture".
Okay, so we know that "All Scripture is inspired by God", and no one disputes that the Old Testament we use today was referenced by New Testament characters (including Jesus) as "Scripture". But we also have two references here to New Testament writings as "Scripture", included, then, as "God-breathed".
Don't think you're doing us any favors by trying to undercut the Bible as the God-breathed truth from God.
2 comments:
Before we leap to the conclusion that Paul quoted Luke and gave Luke the status of "Scripture," let me suggest another possibility, one which will accommodate both (1) genuine Pauline authorship of First Timothy, and (2) the consensus view of almost all NT scholars that Luke was written later. It is simply this: 1 Tim. 5:16's reference to the laborer's wages as "Scripture" is a quote from another written collection of Jesus' sayings, now lost but in vogue in the early Churches.
We know from Luke 1:1 that such lost writings were around in mid-first century.
We know from 1 Cor. 9:14 that the same sentiment was attributed to Jesus elsewhere.
What do you think????
Well, it seems odd to avoid "leaping to a conclusion" by leaping to a conclusion that there are other texts we don't have and no one else ever mentioned. Besides, the primary reason that Luke and Acts are considered Scripture is because Luke was a compatriot of Paul and the early Church believed that Luke and Acts were written by Luke under the authority of Paul. It would, therefore, seem a given that Paul would consider Luke's writings as Scripture.
As for dating of the gospel, if Luke wrote after 70 AD as some popular scholars argue, why didn't he mention Paul's or Peter's deaths? He mentions others (Stephen, James, etc.). J. Warner Wallace points out that Luke made no mention of what was "perhaps the most significant Jewish historical event of the first, century, the destruction of the Jerusalem temple in AD 70." (That would have played nicely into all the prophecies Jesus had made regarding tearing down the Temple.) And, Paul appears to quote Luke when he talks about the Lord's Supper (cp 1 Cor 11:23-25 with Luke 22:19-20).
I think the skeptics would like to move the dates out further, but the evidence I've seen convinces me that the New Testament was most likely finished before 70 AD. That, of course, would include Luke. That, of course, would upset the skeptics. (I'm not including you among the skeptics.)
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