ABOUT
TH Lutzow's Biography
Thomas H Lutzow grew up in northern Wisconsin and is schooled in classical languages as well as theological and philosophical subjects. He holds a PhD from Marquette University in philosophy and a BA from St. Francis Seminary, both in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Dr. Lutzow also holds an MBA degree and is co-founder of a health insurance company -- Independent Care Health Plan -- currently owned by Humana. He retired as CEO when the company was purchased in 2021. Habeas Corpus is the second of two plays that he has authored. The first play remains unpublished and in process. Dr. Lutzow currently consults with health insurance companies, accountable care organizations, integrated delivery systems, provider groups, and human service organizations around the country on compliance, quality, performance, and business development issues. Through his wife of twenty years he is also married to a small country in central Europe.
Editor's Interview
Editor: Why did you write Habeas Corpus?
THL: It started with an urge; I've written one play previously and like the format. I've acted in plays before and attend performances often. Regarding the subject, I never thought Pilate could afford to let it pass -- a body disappearing under his command; it doesn't happen every day and certainly not when he specifically committed his guards to post themselves at the tomb to prevent the body's disappearance. The incident had to be an embarrassment that could not stand. An investigation likely followed for Pilate to keep face.
Editor: There are no historical records that confirm your story.
THL: True, but that's where creative license comes into play; it is a story. There are some general confirmations through Josephus and others that Jesus existed. Pilate existed. Jesus, called "Christus," is referenced in Roman records. The apocryphal writings are interesting; the letter attributed to Pilate (in his report to Tiberius -- "Acta Pilati") and the letters attributed to Caiaphas (the first to justify the condemnation and the second to explain the resurrection -- "Letters to the Sanhedrin") reveal fascination with Jesus. Caesar reports riding side-by-side with two scribes who wrote his letters back to Rome while he dictated from his horse; Cicero's published works contained excerpts of the letters that he received from Caesar. Reports to central administration from the Roman provinces was standard operating procedure at that time; perhaps Pilate's scrolls or parchments will be found in the future. One of the Caiaphas letters describes his investigation of the resurrection only to have Jesus appear to him in a locked room at the end. Most of the confirmation of the backstory comes from the gospels. In this case the backstory is generally well known.
Editor: In your story, Jesus is known to Pilate long before the crucifixion.
THL: Both sides were familiar with Jesus -- the Roman Authority and the Temple Authority. The Temple Authority had their insiders; Judas is most famous. The Roman Authority had their insiders; the tax collectors whom Jesus invited into his midst worked for the Roman Authority. Both sides had their informants. Pilate was certain of Jesus' "innocence" long before the trial.
​
Editor: What if Jesus had appeared before Temple Authority after his resurrection?
​
THL: I wish he had. History would have taken a different turn. He taunted the Temple Authority before his resurrection many times. One more time after his resurrection would have been ideal for our sakes. By not appearing before the Temple Authority, divisions were created that lasted for centuries to come, even to this day.