Freethought & Rationalism Archive

comedyoferrors · 04-02-2008, 05:32 PM

I've been searching the internet for information on how the synoptic gospels are dated. So far I've come across the approximate dates they are thought to be written at, but haven't found any information at all as to how people arrive at those conclusions. I'm wondering if anyone has any helpful knowledge of this topic or any links to relevant sites.

Toto · 04-02-2008, 06:16 PM

This is a perennial topic in BCH. A recent thread is here.

In short, the predictions of the destruction of Jerusalem are assumed to refer to the first Jewish War. Christians who want to make a case for a core of historical memories try to date the gospels as early as possible, which puts the gospel of Mark at 70 C.E. and the others, which clearly copied blocks of text from Mark, at a later date.

Jehanne · 04-02-2008, 06:31 PM

Here's a good source:

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/

Jehanne · 04-02-2008, 07:17 PM

Moving to BC&H.

EarlDoherty · 04-02-2008, 07:58 PM

Have a look at my latest Reader Feedback file on my website for one view on dating the Gospels, particularly Mark. It's the opening response (link at head of file) "To Ben: When Were the Gospels Written?"

I also offer my own views on (read: against) the radical late dating of the Gospels post-130.

http://jesuspuzzle.humanists.net/rfset28.htm

Earl Doherty

Kosh · 04-02-2008, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by comedyoferrors

I've been searching the internet for information on how the synoptic gospels are dated. So far I've come across the approximate dates they are thought to be written at, but haven't found any information at all as to how people arrive at those conclusions. I'm wondering if anyone has any helpful knowledge of this topic or any links to relevant sites.

I found Who wrote the Gospels (or via: amazon.co.uk) by Helms to be good.

(at least, I think that's the one I read, I got it from the library, author's name doesn't ring a bell any more though).

Toto · 04-02-2008, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kosh

Quote:

Originally Posted by comedyoferrors

I've been searching the internet for information on how the synoptic gospels are dated. So far I've come across the approximate dates they are thought to be written at, but haven't found any information at all as to how people arrive at those conclusions. I'm wondering if anyone has any helpful knowledge of this topic or any links to relevant sites.

I found Who wrote the Gospels (or via: amazon.co.uk) by Helms to be good.

(at least, I think that's the one I read, I got it from the library, author's name doesn't ring a bell any more though).

That is a good book, but I suspect that you are thinking of Who Wrote the New Testament? (or via: amazon.co.uk) by Burton Mack (also on google books)

SLD · 04-04-2008, 01:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toto

This is a perennial topic in BCH. A recent thread is here.

In short, the predictions of the destruction of Jerusalem are assumed to refer to the first Jewish War. Christians who want to make a case for a core of historical memories try to date the gospels as early as possible, which puts the gospel of Mark at 70 C.E. and the others, which clearly copied blocks of text from Mark, at a later date.

I always thought the fundamentalist view was that the gospels predate the destruction of Jerusalem and therefore are proof of Jesus's divinity and the gospels' inerrancy because they predicted all these things in advance.

I've seen other arguments that John was really the first Gospel and is dated to the 40's. Not sure though exactly how they came up with that date.

SLD

Amaleq13 · 04-04-2008, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLD

I've seen other arguments that John was really the first Gospel and is dated to the 40's. Not sure though exactly how they came up with that date.

IIUC, even scholars that consider the canonical version of John to be the latest completed concede that internal evidence (eg pools at Bethesda) indicates some of the content must be significantly earlier. However, that is generally not pushed beyond Mark as far as I know.

Clivedurdle · 04-04-2008, 09:17 AM

New Bible Commentary Revised - a classic evangelical tome puts Mark as 40 - 75,

Matthew "Some have argued that the Gospel must be dated before 70" It assumes Jesus did predict the fall.

Luke, early 60's or around 80. "This view presupposes that Luke was not dependent on Josephus....a date before 70 certainly cannot be ruled out."

John 90 "although some have suggested earlier."

The arguments all presume a theology.

04-02-2008, 05:32 PM	#1
comedyoferrors Regular Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: New Mexico Posts: 118	Question about the Dating of the Gospels I've been searching the internet for information on how the synoptic gospels are dated. So far I've come across the approximate dates they are thought to be written at, but haven't found any information at all as to *how* people arrive at those conclusions. I'm wondering if anyone has any helpful knowledge of this topic or any links to relevant sites.

04-02-2008, 07:17 PM	#4
Jehanne Veteran Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Iowa Posts: 2,567	Mod note. Moving to BC&H.

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04-02-2008, 06:16 PM	#2
Toto Contributor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 40,549	This is a perennial topic in BCH. A recent thread is here. In short, the predictions of the destruction of Jerusalem are assumed to refer to the first Jewish War. Christians who want to make a case for a core of historical memories try to date the gospels as early as possible, which puts the gospel of Mark at 70 C.E. and the others, which clearly copied blocks of text from Mark, at a later date.

04-02-2008, 06:31 PM	#3
Jehanne Veteran Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Iowa Posts: 2,567	Here's a good source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/

04-02-2008, 07:58 PM	#5
EarlDoherty Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,435	Have a look at my latest Reader Feedback file on my website for one view on dating the Gospels, particularly Mark. It's the opening response (link at head of file) "To Ben: When Were the Gospels Written?" I also offer my own views on (read: against) the radical late dating of the Gospels post-130. http://jesuspuzzle.humanists.net/rfset28.htm Earl Doherty

04-04-2008, 09:17 AM	#10
Clivedurdle Contributor Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: London UK Posts: 16,024	New Bible Commentary Revised - a classic evangelical tome puts Mark as 40 - 75, Matthew "Some have argued that the Gospel must be dated before 70" It assumes Jesus did predict the fall. Luke, early 60's or around 80. "This view presupposes that Luke was not dependent on Josephus....a date before 70 certainly cannot be ruled out." John 90 "although some have suggested earlier." The arguments all presume a theology.

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