How We Got the Bible The Writing of the New Testament

General Outline 5.Early Gospel Sources 6.The Writing of the New Testament 7.The Dissemination of the New Testament 8.The New Testament Canon

Conclusions from Last Week Oral teaching predates the Gospels. Oral teaching predates the Gospels. The Gospels made use of various sources, including their own memories and the memories of others. The Gospels made use of various sources, including their own memories and the memories of others. The Gospels are reliable, especially if we know what to expect from them. The Gospels are reliable, especially if we know what to expect from them. The Gospels probably date to the years between AD, with the possibility of John’s being later near 90 AD. The Gospels probably date to the years between AD, with the possibility of John’s being later near 90 AD.

Historical Framework 30 AD – Death of Jesus 30 AD – Death of Jesus 46 AD – Paul Begins Missions 46 AD – Paul Begins Missions 54 AD – Nero Becomes Emperor 54 AD – Nero Becomes Emperor 60 AD – Rome Burns 60 AD – Rome Burns 66 AD – Jewish Revolt Begins 66 AD – Jewish Revolt Begins 67 AD – Paul Martyred 67 AD – Paul Martyred 70 AD – Destruction of Jerusalem 70 AD – Destruction of Jerusalem 81 AD – Domitian Becomes Emperor 81 AD – Domitian Becomes Emperor

Schools of Thought Late Dates Kummel argues that the New Testament writings sound like later Christians explaining their faith rather than eye witnesses reporting what they saw. Kummel argues that the New Testament writings sound like later Christians explaining their faith rather than eye witnesses reporting what they saw. Paul’s Letters: AD Paul’s Letters: AD Synoptics: AD Synoptics: AD John: AD John: AD

Schools of Thought Early Dates William Albright: “We can already say emphatically that there is no longer any solid basis for dating any book of the New Testament after about AD 80, two full generations before the between 130 and 150 given by more radical New Testament critics of today.” William Albright: “We can already say emphatically that there is no longer any solid basis for dating any book of the New Testament after about AD 80, two full generations before the between 130 and 150 given by more radical New Testament critics of today.”

Schools of Thought Really Early Dates (Pre-70 AD) Robinson: “There is nothing, I believe, in the theology of the gospels or Acts or in the organization of the church there depicted that requires a longer span, which was already long enough, if we are right, for the creation of the whole Pauline corpus, including the Pastoral Epistles.” Robinson: “There is nothing, I believe, in the theology of the gospels or Acts or in the organization of the church there depicted that requires a longer span, which was already long enough, if we are right, for the creation of the whole Pauline corpus, including the Pastoral Epistles.”

Schools of Thought Typical Early Date Chart Paul’s Letters: AD Paul’s Letters: AD Synoptics: AD or Synoptics: AD or John: AD John: AD

James James (47-48 AD) Of the three or four notable “James” in the Bible, the brother of Jesus is thought to be the author of this book. Of the three or four notable “James” in the Bible, the brother of Jesus is thought to be the author of this book. James, the brother of Jesus, is put to death in AD 62. James, the brother of Jesus, is put to death in AD 62. The Jewish style of teaching and the topics suggest that the book is written to a primarily Hebrew church (see James 1:1). The Jewish style of teaching and the topics suggest that the book is written to a primarily Hebrew church (see James 1:1).

Hebrews Hebrews is not a letter so much as a sermon prepared for a congregation. Hebrews is not a letter so much as a sermon prepared for a congregation. Suggested authors for the text include: Paul, Apollos, Barnabas, and almost anyone else. Suggested authors for the text include: Paul, Apollos, Barnabas, and almost anyone else. A common suggestion is that this is written to Christians in Italy who had been expelled from Rome under Claudius (Acts 18:1-3; compare Hebrews 10:32-34; 13:24). A common suggestion is that this is written to Christians in Italy who had been expelled from Rome under Claudius (Acts 18:1-3; compare Hebrews 10:32-34; 13:24). This would put the book in AD 49, though others put it later under Nero. This would put the book in AD 49, though others put it later under Nero.

Pauline Epistles 1 & 2 Thessalonians (50-51 AD) 1 Thessalonians deals with concerns over what happens “next,” issues of death, resurrection, and the return of Christ. 1 Thessalonians deals with concerns over what happens “next,” issues of death, resurrection, and the return of Christ. 2 Thessalonians shows that those concerns persisted, as they are discussed again with added emphasis on how the church should function until Christ returns. 2 Thessalonians shows that those concerns persisted, as they are discussed again with added emphasis on how the church should function until Christ returns.

Pauline Epistles 1 & 2 Corinthians (55-56 AD) 1 Corinthians deals with the worldly influences that thrived in the church at Corinth. 1 Corinthians deals with the worldly influences that thrived in the church at Corinth. 2 Corinthians deals with the ramifications of the previous epistle and contains instruction dealing with false apostles. 2 Corinthians deals with the ramifications of the previous epistle and contains instruction dealing with false apostles.

Pauline Epistles Galatians (56 AD) deals with role of the gospel story in a world that had previously only known the Hebrew Scriptures. Galatians (56 AD) deals with role of the gospel story in a world that had previously only known the Hebrew Scriptures. Romans (57 AD) is a masterpiece discussing how the story of the gospel relates to the now very diverse church that included Jews and Gentiles. Romans (57 AD) is a masterpiece discussing how the story of the gospel relates to the now very diverse church that included Jews and Gentiles.

Prison Epistles The “Prison Epistles” were all written during one of Paul’s various imprisonments. They include the books of Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and the short epistle of Philemon. The “Prison Epistles” were all written during one of Paul’s various imprisonments. They include the books of Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and the short epistle of Philemon. The date of the writing of these epistles, while uncertain, falls within a five year window when Paul was imprisoned either at Caesarea (57-59 AD) or Rome (60-62 AD). The date of the writing of these epistles, while uncertain, falls within a five year window when Paul was imprisoned either at Caesarea (57-59 AD) or Rome (60-62 AD).

Prison Epistles Ephesians & Colossians Both the books of Colossians and Ephesians were delivered by the same man, Tychicus (Ephesians 6:21-22; Colossians 4:7-8). Both the books of Colossians and Ephesians were delivered by the same man, Tychicus (Ephesians 6:21-22; Colossians 4:7-8). Ephesians is longer and more general. Colossians is shorter and more specific. Ephesians is longer and more general. Colossians is shorter and more specific. Ephesians emphasizes the church of the Christ. Colossians emphasizes the Christ of the church. Ephesians emphasizes the church of the Christ. Colossians emphasizes the Christ of the church.

Prison Epistles Philippians uses Paul’s circumstances in a Roman prison to be a launching point for a sermon about spiritual maturity. The book seems to be a very mild rebuke of Euodia and Syntyche (ch. 4:2). Philippians uses Paul’s circumstances in a Roman prison to be a launching point for a sermon about spiritual maturity. The book seems to be a very mild rebuke of Euodia and Syntyche (ch. 4:2). Philemon is a personal letter from Paul to the owner of a run away slave who is now a Christian. Philemon is a personal letter from Paul to the owner of a run away slave who is now a Christian.

Pauline Epistles 1 Timothy (55 AD) & Titus (57 AD) contain technical instructions for young preachers helping to maintain order in a local congregation. 1 Timothy (55 AD) & Titus (57 AD) contain technical instructions for young preachers helping to maintain order in a local congregation. 2 Timothy (58 AD) is a more personal and affectionate discussion of the work of preaching and “passing of the torch” to the next generation of evangelists. 2 Timothy (58 AD) is a more personal and affectionate discussion of the work of preaching and “passing of the torch” to the next generation of evangelists.

Petrine Epistles & Jude 1 & 2 Peter (60-65 AD) Both are written by Peter to a church facing severe persecution. Both are written by Peter to a church facing severe persecution. Both texts make frequent use of OT Scripture and are written to a heavily Hebrew church (see 1 Peter 1:1). Both texts make frequent use of OT Scripture and are written to a heavily Hebrew church (see 1 Peter 1:1). Jude has heavy parallels in content to 2 Peter and may have been written near the same time. Jude has heavy parallels in content to 2 Peter and may have been written near the same time.

Revelation & John’s Epistles Revelation If reflecting on Roman persecution and God’s judgment of Rome, then 80-90’s AD. If reflecting on Roman persecution and God’s judgment of Rome, then 80-90’s AD. If reflecting on Jewish persecution and God’s judgment of Jerusalem, then late 60’s AD. If reflecting on Jewish persecution and God’s judgment of Jerusalem, then late 60’s AD. Typically, wherever one dates Revelation, then John’s Gospel and Epistles are placed in that same period. Typically, wherever one dates Revelation, then John’s Gospel and Epistles are placed in that same period.

Revelation & John’s Epistles Revelation discusses the persecution of the church and paints prophetic, metaphorical images of the judgment of God and the churches victory. Revelation discusses the persecution of the church and paints prophetic, metaphorical images of the judgment of God and the churches victory. 1 John is like the doctrinal significance of the John’s Gospel distilled into a small text. 1 John is like the doctrinal significance of the John’s Gospel distilled into a small text. 2 & 3 John are personal epistles that were sent to encourage and exhort the early church. 2 & 3 John are personal epistles that were sent to encourage and exhort the early church.

Conclusions The writing of the New Testament comes from a variety of authors, contexts, and episodes that fit within the middle of the first century. The writing of the New Testament comes from a variety of authors, contexts, and episodes that fit within the middle of the first century. The books comprise a snapshot of the early church wrestling with difficult issues. The books comprise a snapshot of the early church wrestling with difficult issues. It stands alone as the definitive picture of the identity and function of the church. It stands alone as the definitive picture of the identity and function of the church.