The West, through tradition, had mostly accepted the New Testament—as it is now—by the end of the third century and clearly accepted it by the end of the fourth century. The East did not accept a New Testament canon until the end of the seventh century.

Canonicity of the New Testament: The English word “Gospel” was first coined in 950AD in Lindesfarne, by an Anglo-Saxon monk/priest. It means “God’s spell” or “God’s story.” It is a translation of the Greek word euangelion.

Dates of the various books of the New Testament:

Date                                         Writing                                    Author

51-52                                        1 and 2 Thess.                         Paul

50-55                                       Gospel                                     Matthew

50-60                                       James                                     James

54                                             Galatians                                Paul

Spring 57                                1 Corin                                     Paul

57-58                                       2 Corin                                     Paul

57-58                                       Romans                                   Paul

60                                            Gospel                                      Mark

62                                            Philippians                              Paul

62                                            Col., Philem., Eph                  Paul

62                                            Gospel                                     Luke

64                                            1 and 2 Peter                          Peter

65                                            1 Tim and Titus                      Paul

65                                            Hebrews                                 Unknown

66                                            2 Timothy                               Paul

70                                            Jude                                         Jude

85-95                                      Rev.                                          John

95-100                                    1,2,3, John                               John

98-100                                    Gospel                                    John

A few considerations:

Sources:

This essay was first published here in November 2019.

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