The Early Date: AD 60 (approx)
Arguments for - Abrupt ending of Acts , Positive attitude towards Romans , Dominant issues in Acts , Theological outlook of Acts , Paul's Letters
Arguments against - Synoptic solution = 1st three gospels are the synoptic gospels. Mark , Luke then Matthew. Mark's gospel dated 67 AD. Luke came after , therefore Acts would have to be after that time.
The Middle Date: AD 80
The synoptic solution argument indicates that Luke must have written Acts after AD 70 , so AD 80 has been suggested
There are two passages that indicate that the seige of Jerusalem has already taken place:
Luke 21:20 - Jerusalem surrounded by armies: Prediction or allusion to an event already taken place?
Luke 19:43 - Description of seige in vivid terms. This was exactly what happened to jerusalem : Is Luke looking back and writing in hindsight?
The Later Date: AD 90
Arguments for - Luke's interest in the infacny of Jesus ( characteristics of later works) , clear interest in the resurrection , church organisation has clearly developed, Paul has reached 'hero' status , Josephus
Arguments against - Josephus' work published AD 93 , by this time Paul's letters would be available , why would Luke not mention or use them? The book does not reflect what the church focused on around AD 95 and after , no mention of paul or Jame's death
Bruce believes the book was written over a period of time and that the story ended when the gospel was brought to Rome.
Comments
Report
Report