Was the Book of Daniel written in the 6th century BC or the 2nd century BC?
A viewer asks whether the Book of Daniel was written in the 2nd century BC, the 6th century BC, or at another time.
Answer
It was written in the sixth century, just as Daniel and the Bible claim. Liberal theologians since the Enlightenment, who do not believe in miracles or prophecy, date it to the second century BC precisely so they can deny that Daniel is prophesying, in chapters 2, 7, 8, 9, and the rest. The only way they can do that is to say the man propped up as Daniel took second-century events and made them look like sixth-century prophecies, which effectively calls the Bible a liar without saying so. These are the games these theologians have played for a long time, and it is now taught in all the seminaries, including Catholic ones, under men like Raymond Brown, Hans Kung, and Karl Rahner, using the tools of historical criticism to undermine Scripture. Their real motive is the same as the scientists who deny that the sun and stars go around the earth: if you can strip away the supernatural, you do not have to stand before God's judgment.