Recent Debate Concerning the Chronology of the New Testament

Abstract

John F. Brug’s essay surveys key debates and data surrounding New Testament chronology, focusing on the life of Christ and the ministry of Paul. He distinguishes between relative and absolute chronology and explains how synchronisms, elapsed time references, and narrative order contribute to dating biblical events. Brug evaluates competing theories, especially those presented in Chronos, Kairos, Christos, and defends a traditional timeline: Christ’s birth between 7–5 B.C., ministry from 26–30 A.D., and death in 30 A.D. He supports a 3½-year ministry based on Gospel evidence and argues for early dating of Paul’s conversion (ca. 31 A.D.) and his missionary journeys. The essay also addresses controversial issues such as the census of Quirinius, the fifteenth year of Tiberius, and Paul’s Jerusalem visits. Brug concludes that while exact dates remain uncertain, a coherent and useful chronology can be constructed with reasonable confidence. Abstract prepared by Microsoft Copilot (GPT-4).