“Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.” (Luke 1:1–4, NIV 1984).
My Musings – Luke was a gentile convert to Christianity and a companion of Paul. His writings were heavily influenced by Paul. Through his association with Paul, it is likely that he encountered some of the other Apostles as well. Which is likely what he meant when he said “handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word.” As such, he was in a good position to have “carefully investigated everything” and been able to “write am orderly account.”
My Advice – Many today will start off a conversation by saying something like “in my humble opinion.” But it doesn’t take long to realize that they lack humility and want their opinion to be taken as fact. Often it is clear that they have not “carefully investigated everything” before forming their opinion.
Mark Twain is credited with saying, ““in religion and politics people’s beliefs and convictions are in almost every case gotten at second-hand, and without examination, from authorities who have not themselves examined the questions at issue but have taken them at second-hand from other non-examiners, whose opinions about them were not worth a brass farthing.”
Both (in religion and politics) are on clear display these days. In politics it can dangerous. In religion, it can be eternally deadly. Far too many have turned aside from the truth and have “gone in search of many [religious] schemes.” (Ecclesiastes 7:29, NIV 1984). We owe it to ourselves “know the certainty of the things [we] have been taught.” We must not be a “non-examiner.”
The Brew Is A Musing 