Bible Question:
Why Believe? This question is about the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ. I've heard a bunch of apologetics material before and have found some of it useful. I realize it will boil down to a matter of faith, which I have by the way, but when dealing with others it becomes unsettling. For instance, if you look at the biblical accounts of the resurrection they do not even agree on some pretty basic stuff. Was Mary Magdalene alone when she visited the tomb, etc etc. This is some pretty serious material, the Bible cannot be the word of God if it is full of discrepancies. The Human element of the author had to come into play. Any help would not only be greatly appreciated, but I believe it will help evangelize the lost. I can't argue certain points when I know the bible does not agree with itself in some pretty critical places. Namely, the resurrection account of the four authors of the Bible. in Christ Schimc |
Bible Answer: Greetings Schimc! It has been my experience that most of the so-called difficulties in the Gospel accounts are really not difficulties at all, but assumptions. For instance, you mentioned Mary coming 'alone' to the tomb. None of the Gospel accounts actually says that Mary came 'alone'. Matthew, Mark, and Luke all mention several others coming along with Mary. Now, John only mentions Mary. Here is my point. John never says that she came alone. But, he only mentions her. Does this contradict the other three Gospel accounts? No! It would only contradict them if John said that she came 'alone', which he does not say. No historical account can list every possible detail. Authors must be selective in what level of detail they present and how. For instance, if I were to say that I went to pick up my daugher from kindergarten this morning and then we came home, this would be an accurate statement. However, it is not a complete listing of everything single thing I did this morning. For instance, I went to the mall before I came home. So, the Gospel accounts do agree. However, they are not verbatim copies of one another. After all, what would be the point in having four accounts which all say exactly the same thing! :-) Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |