Luke Chapter 16, Against Marcion, and the Necessarily Non-Lukan Gospel of Marcion

Introduction

Ever since I became acquainted with Christianity, I thought chapter 16 of Luke is among the worst-written chapters in the history of literature. I see absolutely no continuity in its contents. It, like many of the Pauline letters, seems to leap from unrelated idea to unrelated idea. The chapter includes:

1. The Parable of the Shrewd Manager (Luke 16:1-13)
2. Additional Teachings on the Law, Divorce, and the Kingdom of God (Luke 16:14-18)
3. The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31)

How can anyone have written a chapter of material like this and called the book an "orderly account"? What possible connection can these four things have with one another?

Disjointed Narratives in Luke 16

A. The Parable of the Shrewd Manager

The chapter begins with Jesus telling his disciples a parable about a rich man whose manager is accused of wasting his possessions. The manager, facing dismissal, shrewdly reduces the debts owed to his master by others to secure his future. Jesus praises the manager's shrewdness and concludes with teachings on trustworthiness and serving two masters.

B. The Law and the Prophets

Without any transition, Jesus then says, "The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing their way into it. It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the least stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law."

C. Teaching on Divorce

Immediately following this, Jesus declares, "Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery."

D. The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus

The chapter ends with the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, where a rich man lives in luxury while Lazarus, a beggar, suffers. After their deaths, Lazarus is comforted in Abraham's bosom while the rich man is tormented in Hades.

The Connection in Against Marcion

In Against Marcion, Tertullian addresses these seemingly disjointed narratives and attempts to provide a cohesive interpretation. According to Tertullian, the chapter's structure and content relate to John the Baptist and his role as the forerunner of Jesus.

Connecting B, C, and D

Tertullian explains that Jesus' teachings on the Law and the Prophets, divorce, and the parable of the rich man and Lazarus are linked through the figure of John the Baptist. He argues that John represents the end of the old covenant and the beginning of the new. This transition marks the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets and introduces the Kingdom of God through Jesus.

The Argument for Luke's Development from Against Marcion

Tertullian's detailed explanation suggests he had special knowledge of the text's structure. However, a more plausible argument is that the Gospel of Luke was actually created from the arguments laid out in Against Marcion. Tertullian's work may have served as a blueprint for the arrangement of Luke's gospel.

Orthodox Gospels and the Introduction of John

Tertullian notes that the orthodox gospels begin with the arrival of John the Baptist. This is crucial for understanding the transition from the Law and the Prophets to the Kingdom of God. Tertullian's interpretation of Jesus' teachings on divorce also connects with John, referencing his condemnation of Herod's unlawful marriage.

A Bizarre Justification

Tertullian's justification for the inclusion of Luke 16:16 and Luke 16:18 in Luke chapter 16 is rooted in his interpretation of John the Baptist's role and his denunciation of Herod's marriage. This argument, however, is not supported by the text of Luke, which does not mention John's beheading or his accusations against Herod. Instead, it suggests that Tertullian was using material from Matthew or Mark to make his case.

Conclusion

The anomalies in Luke chapter 16 and Tertullian's explanations in Against Marcion highlight the complexities and potential development of the gospel texts. It is plausible that the Gospel of Luke was shaped by the theological arguments found in Against Marcion, rather than being an independent, orderly account. This raises significant questions about the origins and development of the canonical gospels and their relationship with early Christian polemics.