Dear Brothers and Sisters, when do you believe the 4 Gospels were written? Most conservative Biblical scholars, both historically and presently, have dated the Gospels to before the destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. Some liberal modern scholars, because the Gospel clearly prophecies the fall of Jerusalem (and their naturalistic presuppositions don't allow for prophecy), claim the Gospels were supposedly written after that time period.
We have both External and Internal Evidence that the Gospels were written well before 70 A.D, as I believe they were.
External Evidence:
2nd C. Bishop Irenaeus: "For, after our Lord rose from the dead, [the apostles] were invested with power from on high when the Holy Spirit came down [upon them], were filled from all [His gifts], and had perfect knowledge: they departed to the ends of the earth, preaching the glad tidings of the good things [sent] from God to us, and proclaiming the peace of heaven to men, who indeed do all equally and individually possess the Gospel of God.
Matthew also issued a written Gospel among the Hebrews in their own dialect, while Peter and Paul were preaching at Rome, and laying the foundations of the Church. After their departure, Mark, the disciple and interpreter of Peter, did also hand down to us in writing what had been preached by Peter. Luke also, the companion of Paul, recorded in a book the Gospel preached by him. Afterwards, John, the disciple of the Lord, who also had leaned upon His breast, did himself publish a Gospel during his residence at Ephesus in Asia. " https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0103301.htm
Internal Evidence:
The Gospel of Luke (and the Book of Acts) is clearly written by a companion of Paul while Paul was still alive. Since Paul died around 64-67 A.D., as even secular historians agree, it follows that even Acts pre-dates 64-67 A.D. by at least a few years, and the Gospel of Luke by even more. But there is more. In addition, it is agreed that the Book of Acts abruptly ends with Paul's 2 years of House Arrest in events around 60 A.D. Acts 28: "30 For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. 31 He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!" Wiki says: "
Paul finally arrived in Rome around 60, where he spent another two years under house arrest.[179] The narrative of Acts ends with Paul preaching in Rome for two years from his rented home while awaiting trial.[183]" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_the_Apostle#Two_years_in_Rome
And so, it is probable that Acts was written some time soon after 60 A.D., with Paul still alive, otherwise Luke would have mentioned his death and martyrdom for the Lord. Can we arrive still further in our consideration of dates? Yes: Luke, so the Church Fathers tell us, and it is internally evident, is “the brother, whose praise is in the gospel through all the churches" (2 Cor. 8:18). The secular Encyclopedia Brittanica admits: “The Second Letter of Paul to the Corinthians (II Corinthians in the New Testament) was written from Macedonia in about 55 CE”. And so, the Gospel of Luke was probably not only written, but even widely distributed in the Churches, by around 55 A.D. Why is that important? Because it is generally agreed, even by scholars who place Mark before Matthew among the Synoptics, that Matthew and Mark were both written before Luke. Therefore, if even Luke was written before 55 A.D., then so much more were Matthew and Mark! And so it is clear the Gospels were written quite early while the Apostles were still alive.
Thoughts on all this, dear Brothers and Sisters? Imo, this is important, both in Christian discussions with Atheists, and also e.g. with Muslims, in establishing that the historical Jesus Christ and His Apostles did really teach Him to be the Lord, the Son of God, and God Himself who died for us etc.
God Bless.
We have both External and Internal Evidence that the Gospels were written well before 70 A.D, as I believe they were.
External Evidence:
2nd C. Bishop Irenaeus: "For, after our Lord rose from the dead, [the apostles] were invested with power from on high when the Holy Spirit came down [upon them], were filled from all [His gifts], and had perfect knowledge: they departed to the ends of the earth, preaching the glad tidings of the good things [sent] from God to us, and proclaiming the peace of heaven to men, who indeed do all equally and individually possess the Gospel of God.
Matthew also issued a written Gospel among the Hebrews in their own dialect, while Peter and Paul were preaching at Rome, and laying the foundations of the Church. After their departure, Mark, the disciple and interpreter of Peter, did also hand down to us in writing what had been preached by Peter. Luke also, the companion of Paul, recorded in a book the Gospel preached by him. Afterwards, John, the disciple of the Lord, who also had leaned upon His breast, did himself publish a Gospel during his residence at Ephesus in Asia. " https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0103301.htm
Internal Evidence:
The Gospel of Luke (and the Book of Acts) is clearly written by a companion of Paul while Paul was still alive. Since Paul died around 64-67 A.D., as even secular historians agree, it follows that even Acts pre-dates 64-67 A.D. by at least a few years, and the Gospel of Luke by even more. But there is more. In addition, it is agreed that the Book of Acts abruptly ends with Paul's 2 years of House Arrest in events around 60 A.D. Acts 28: "30 For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. 31 He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!" Wiki says: "
Paul finally arrived in Rome around 60, where he spent another two years under house arrest.[179] The narrative of Acts ends with Paul preaching in Rome for two years from his rented home while awaiting trial.[183]" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_the_Apostle#Two_years_in_Rome
And so, it is probable that Acts was written some time soon after 60 A.D., with Paul still alive, otherwise Luke would have mentioned his death and martyrdom for the Lord. Can we arrive still further in our consideration of dates? Yes: Luke, so the Church Fathers tell us, and it is internally evident, is “the brother, whose praise is in the gospel through all the churches" (2 Cor. 8:18). The secular Encyclopedia Brittanica admits: “The Second Letter of Paul to the Corinthians (II Corinthians in the New Testament) was written from Macedonia in about 55 CE”. And so, the Gospel of Luke was probably not only written, but even widely distributed in the Churches, by around 55 A.D. Why is that important? Because it is generally agreed, even by scholars who place Mark before Matthew among the Synoptics, that Matthew and Mark were both written before Luke. Therefore, if even Luke was written before 55 A.D., then so much more were Matthew and Mark! And so it is clear the Gospels were written quite early while the Apostles were still alive.
Thoughts on all this, dear Brothers and Sisters? Imo, this is important, both in Christian discussions with Atheists, and also e.g. with Muslims, in establishing that the historical Jesus Christ and His Apostles did really teach Him to be the Lord, the Son of God, and God Himself who died for us etc.
God Bless.
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