First of all, by all accounts Luke was written from 58-63AD so that’s only 25 – 30 years so that 40-70 years is in error. Second, how soon it was “widely distributed” is immaterial to this discussion. The point is that he saw a need to write things down because already by that time “oral” transmission was obviously causing problems.
>>It was fed by the Oral Teachings of the Apostles and witnesses which continues to this day.<<
Seriously? They have convinced you that the apostles and witnesses are still alive today? Go figure.
Well, that’s what Apostolic Succession is.
Now, my question to you - if you don’t believe in this - why are you a member of your church?
It’s one thing to assert that the Catholic church is wrong about this - but if the Catholic church is wrong then so are all the protestant churches. None of them have this either.
Which begs the question, doesn’t it?
How many hours on the internet to arrive at that answer?
Not all accounts, some accounts put it in that time frame. Some actually put it as early as 40 AD when Theophilus ben Ananus, High Priest of the Temple in Jerusalem. Other put it later under the belief that Theophilus was generic meaning Friend of God.
In any event, the writing was preceded by many years of oral tradition that did not automatically stop with the writing of the Gospels. For the next 200 years there is was illegal to possess Christian texts and the owners faced the prospect of martyrdom, and other punishments including forfeiture of property and being sold into servitude. Even after it was legal, literacy was very low, and Hebrew competency outside of Jerusalem was almost zero. God had a reason to rely on the Oral Tradition.
Peace be with you
How many hours on the internet to arrive at that answer?
Not all accounts, some accounts put it in that time frame. Some actually put it as early as 40 AD when Theophilus ben Ananus, High Priest of the Temple in Jerusalem. Other put it later under the belief that Theophilus was generic meaning Friend of God.
In any event, the writing was preceded by many years of oral tradition that did not automatically stop with the writing of the Gospels. For the next 200 years there is was illegal to possess Christian texts and the owners faced the prospect of martyrdom, and other punishments including forfeiture of property and being sold into servitude. Even after it was legal, literacy was very low, and Hebrew competency outside of Jerusalem was almost zero. God had a reason to rely on the Oral Tradition.
Peace be with you