The Sources of Truth
Many times when talking with Christians about the gospels and the historical accuracy of the Bible, we get to talking about sources and chronology. Who wrote what, when, and in what context. Turns out, there’s a lot of confusion and conflicting information on this, so in this post I’m going to do a little research and present what I believe to be the facts as we can verify them, and also highlight some thinking around the context.
Note: I'm publishing this now so it's out, but as I write more posts that refer to these sources, I may circle back to add details.
Jesus is said to have lived roughly from 4 BC to AD ~30-33
Biblical Sources
The Epistles
First Thessalonians
Written: AD 50 - 52
Author: Paul the Apostle
Language: Greek
Galatians
Written: AD 50 - 60
Author: Paul the Apostle
Language: Greek
First Corinthians
Written: AD 53 - 54
Author: Paul the Apostle
Language: Greek
Philemon
Written: AD 55
Author: Paul the Apostle
Language: Greek
Second Corinthians
Written: AD 55 - 56
Author: Paul the Apostle
Language: Greek
Romans
Written: AD 55 - 57
Author: Paul the Apostle
Language: Greek
Philippians
Written: AD 62
Author: Paul the Apostle
Language: Greek
The Gospels
Mark
Written: AD 66 - 70
Author: Unknown, ascribed to John Mark
Language: Greek
Sources: Stories, contemporary discourse, and sayings
Matthew
Written: AD 80 - 90
Author: Unknown
Language: Semitic Synagogue Greek
Sources: Mark, Q, and M
Luke
Written: AD 80 - 110 onwards
Author: Unknown
Language: Greek
Sources: Mark, Q, and L
Acts
Written: AD 80 - 90
Author: Unknown, likely same author as Luke
Language: Greek
Sources: Same as Luke, including Jewish scriptures
John
Written: AD 90 - 110
Author: Unknown
Language: Greek
Sources: Jewish scriptures, other lists or contemporary discourse
External Sources
Josephus
Josephus lived roughly from AD 37 to AD 100
The Jewish War
Written: AD 75
Author: Titus Flavius Josephus
Language: Greek
Antiquities of the Jews
Written: AD 93 - 94
Author: Titus Flavius Josephus
Language: Greek
Against Apion
Written: AD ~97
Author: Titus Flavius Josephus
Language: Greek
The Life of Flavius Josephus
Written: AD 94 - 99
Author: Titus Flavius Josephus
Language: Greek