When do YOU (yes, you) believe the New Testament of the Bible was written?

Question

And what sources do you use to support your belief?

All religions (or lack of) are welcome to answer, but please do not include whether you believe in it or not, because it's not relevant to the question.

This should be a pretty easy two points.

Sources, please?

Answer 1

Between 45 and 140 A.D.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_testament

Answer 2

It varies. The first book, not exactly a book of the NT but the earliest on describing the Passion Narrative was written around 30CE. 1 Thessalonians , Philippians, Galatians, 1 &2 Corinthians, Romans, Philemon, and Colossians were written about 20 years later (50-60CE). Most experts will agree that the earliest gospel, Mark, was written between 65-80CE, followed by Matthew (80-100CE), Luke (80-130CE) and John (90-120CE).

A good place to start if you are truly interested is at my link, which, if you click on the individual links for each Book, it gives you the method and logic they used to date it. It is a treasure trove of information on each Gospel, as well as many that were not included in the Bible we have today. I also recommend the following books:
Who Wrote the New Testament? by Burton L. Mack
The History and Theology of the New Testament Writings by Udo Schnelle, translated by M. Eugene Boring
and
An Introduction to the New Testament by Raymond Edward Brown

Also, the PBS Frontline series "From Jesus to Christ" is an excellent starting point, as well as the book that goes with it.

So, I believe all of what is currently in the NT was written prior to 150 CE but not necessarily by the hand (or even within the lifetime) of those they are credited to. That doesn't weaken it's meaning or lessen the impact it has had on my life, though.

If one truly believes the Bible to be the "Word of God" and divinely inspired, the "why?" becomes much more important than the "who?" or "when?".

Answer 3

I think most of the stories from the New Testament are around the third and 4th century with a few as early as the 2nd century. The New Testament is an agreed upon compilation of independent texts and stories. Almost all the Gospels were written between 150 to 200 years after his death. Who knows how stories were left out of the New Testament and lost forever.

It is also important to note that a lot of early Christian writting had to be heavily metiphorical and secretive becuase of early oppression of the movement.

Answer 4

Read:

God's Secretaries: The Making of the King James Bible
by Adam Nicolson

Synopsis
A gaggle of 50 or so black-gowned divines who were obscure at the time and whose names are almost unknown today, is how British publisher and travel writer Nicolson characterizes "God's secretaries." These men spent seven years, from 1604 to 1611, poring over Greek and Hebrew texts, comparing previous translations, and arguing over fine details to produce what is widely recognized as a highlight of English literature and a milestone in the Protestant movement in Britain. He sifts through the few records of their work to elucidate their method and purpose.

In other words: If you are a Bible thumpin' Baptist there are alot of "philosophies of men, mingled with scripture" and the opportunity to revise holy writ did and does happen.

Answer 5

Well it wasn't written as a single book, so there isn't a single answer.

Generally 35-100 CE. There is very little evidence that the authors were actually contemporary with Jesus and the writing styles and the fact that parts seem copied from other writings seem to indicate it was a while later.

Answer 6

Since NONE of the new testament writers included the 70 AD destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, which constituted the definitive end of the Jewish world, and at least partially fulfilled the Olivet prophecy of Jesus Christ, in ANY of their accounts, it is very likely that ALL of the new testament writings were completed before that time.

Answer 7

During the lifetimes of those who were eyewitnesses to what happened. It was written some 30 years later of the events.

Luke 1 tells us in Chapter 1...

" Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events that have been fulfilled among us,

just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and ministers of the word have handed them down to us,

I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to write it down in an orderly sequence for you, most excellent Theophilus,

so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings you have received.

They were eyewitnesses.

Answer 8

Between 30-90A.D.

Internal documentation that correlates to external sources (such as several Roman historians and some archeology).

Answer 9

It was written from about 80 CE to 120 CE. No one knows the exact dates or who the authors were. It is known that the authors wrote from the "oral tradition" of the local people, that is, they wrote the stories that were passed by word of mouth.

And we all know how accurate old gossip is!

Answer 10

Around the year 400