I'm not the only pebble on the beach in the history of mankind

Good point, honey! I was once again complaining about Leviticus to my husband (see last posting) when he pointed out that those laws were absolutely of incredible importance "back in the day". I just finished the chapter on bodily discharges and bleeding. I can just picture the moms in our congregation trying to explain THOSE words to the questions coming from the kids in the back seat. You would think these readings would be G rated, wouldn't you? I can hardly wait for the Song of Solomon (guaranteed to be read with relish!). So here's what I learned from my college class today. Mark was probably written before Matthew. Also it was, at the minimum, at least 35-40 years after Jesus died before any of the New Testament was written down. Everyone in class is trying to guess why. I say they were just busy....running around and planting churches. In a largely illiterate culture, it was probably more important to be preaching for a while than writing anyway. Writing is for posterity and could be done after the authors all entered their twilight years. I don't know for sure, though; what do you think?