And the Gospel of Luke was recorded by a non-Apostle. What matters, and what disputes this Bishop Spong's false idea, is that these accountings WERE written either by direct eyewitnesses or with the input from direct eyewitnesses. Additionally, they were written, copied and disbursed WHILE many of the eyewitnesses were still living and could invalidate what was written as the truth concerning Jesus and His message and ministry had they been untruthful or mistaken.
We should remember that we accept the sacred Scriptures by faith as from the Holy Spirit, who carried along those who He commanded to write the words. These men, just like the prophets of the Old Testament scriptures, did not speak from their own thoughts and musings but spoke as God led them. That is why we see that the power of God comes through these words and hearts are won to Christ even two thousand years later - the message never changes and never has to.
Yes very true but for those searching it is nice to be able to say - so and so wrote this only 30 years after Jesus’ death and he was associated with Paul or Peter etc. Peter in one of his letters says to his readers “We were eyewitnesses” - I don’t think a letter containing a lie like that would have stayed in circulation if it was not true so it makes for good apologetics to have some idea!!
Blessings
Mel