Was the New Testament written during the Apostolic Age?

Answer 1

A:There is no fixed end date, but the Apostolic Age usually refers to the period from about 30 CE to the latter decades of the first century, when the original apostles are assumed to have been alive. In the final years of the first century, the period of the Apostolic Fathers followed, as these Church leaders are assumed to have been close to the apostles and perhaps even have known them. The leaders who followed are known as the Church Fathers.

Certainly, some of the New Testament was written during the Apostolic Age. This must include the Book of Hebrews and Paul's genuine epistles. Mark's Gospel was written approximately 70 CE, which could still be regarded as the Apostolic Age, although there is no evidence that its author, who was anonymous and unlikely to be the Mark of attribution, actually knew any of the apostles. Matthew's Gospel came in the 80s, so it is moot whether the time of writing should be considered the Apostolic Age. In any case, scholars have identified the sources of Matthew as Mark's Gospel and the hypothetical 'Q' document, so again the anonymous author did not really know any of the apostles. Luke and John came long after the end of the Apostolic Age.

The other epistles, with the possible exception of Jamesbut including the pseudo-Pauline epistles, were written later in the first century or in the early decades of the second century, after the Apostolic Age.

Another Answer:

Indeed it was (circa AD 31-100) fully completed in the 1st Century AD during the lives of the writers - the majority were Apostles - with John's writings sealing the Testament in the late 80s-90s per the consensus of scholars contributing to the New King James Version of the Bible. Particularly the Gospel accounts and Acts. Peter wanted future followers of Christ to have a permanent reminder of the true gospel. This was accomplished by creating a written record of Christ's life and teachings plus the work of the apostles - eye witness testimony written down for all future generations to read and study:

2 Peter 1:15-16 (New King James Version - NKJV)

15 Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease.

The Trustworthy Prophetic Word16 For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty.

Concerning the Apostle Paul's letters, they provide an early witness to Christ's teachings. Much has been made of the supposed time gap of 40 and more years between Christ's preaching and the time the Gospel accounts were written. N.T. Wright, bishop of Durham in the Anglican Church, comments: "Scholars used to be quite dogmatic on the dating of the gospels, but the more scholarship has gone on the less we can be as sure as we thought. What is more, the gospels are dependent in turn on traditions that are very early indeed . . .

I invite all readers to begin their own search of the evidences available. It is quite easy to do in our modern Internet age.