Is the Apostle Luke a Historian?

Is Luke a historian?

Somehow the author of Luke and Acts has gotten the reputation of being a historian.  Don't believe it.  There are several passage in which Luke disagree not only with others, but even passages in which Luke disagrees with himself.  I have already looked into Luke's account of the resurrection in the Gospel of Luke, and showed how it conflicts with what he says in Acts.  A few errors are pardonable, but time after time, Luke's reputation becomes questionable.

The Birth of Jesus: In Luke 1:5 the birth of Jesus is associated with the reign of Herod the Great who ruled Palestine from 37 b.c.e. until he died in 4 b.c.e.  In Luke 2:1-2 the birth of Jesus is associated with the governorship of Quirinius in Syria, but Quirinius did not become governor of Syria until 6 c.e., nine years after Herod's death.

Paul's Conversion: In Acts 9:3-7 Luke describes the conversion of Paul who on his way to Damascus had a vision in which he heard the voice of Jesus.  Luke gives another account in Acts 22.  Did those who were with Paul hear the voice that was speaking?

Acts 9:7 Now the men who were traveling with him stood there speechless, because they heard the voice but saw no one.

Acts 22:9 Those who were with me saw the light, but did not hear the voice of the one who was speaking to me.

Paul's escape from Damascus: Was it the Jews or the governor of Damascus who forced Paul to escape from Damascus in a basket?  Compare what Luke says, to what Paul says in 2 Corinthians:

Acts 9:23-25 Now after some days had passed, the Jews plotted together to kill him,  but Saul learned of their plot against him. They were also watching the city gates day and night so that they could kill him.  But his disciples took him at night and let him down through an opening in the wall by lowering him in a basket.

2 Corinthians 11:32-33 In Damascus, the governor under King Aretas was guarding the city of Damascus in order to arrest me,  but I was let down in a rope-basket through a window in the city wall, and escaped his hands.
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Paul's return to Jerusalem: Did Paul associate freely with the apostles, or did he speak only to Peter and James?

Acts 9:26-28 When he arrived in Jerusalem, he attempted to associate with the disciples, and they were all afraid of him, because they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took Saul, brought him to the apostles, and related to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus.  So he was staying with them, associating openly with them in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord.

Galatians 1:18-20 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and get information from him, and I stayed with him fifteen days.  But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother.  I assure you that, before God, I am not lying about what I am writing to you!

Other problems exist with Luke, but these should make the point.

NET Bible translation