Bart Ehrman Blog Readers Forum

A A A
Forum Scope


Match



Forum Options



Min search length: 3 characters / Max search length: 84 characters
Lost password?
sp_TopicIcon
Contradictions
Avatar
Jtwarren

28 Posts
(Offline)
1
April 26, 2022 - 8:09 am

What do we say to Christians when we question them about contradictions, but they say well skeptics would be thinking it’s collusion if all of the gospels said the same thing.  

Avatar
JAS

948 Posts
(Offline)
2
April 26, 2022 - 10:09 am

Jtwarren said
What do we say to Christians when we question them about contradictions, but they say well skeptics would be thinking it’s collusion if all of the gospels said the same thing.  

  

At that point, I would probably walk away; there is no point trying to reason with some people. (They might have a mild point if they are not arguing for inerrancy, but they have their own contradiction if they are.)

Avatar
Jtwarren

28 Posts
(Offline)
3
April 26, 2022 - 11:28 am

I understand, but I wonder why the gospels don’t report the same thing though.  

Avatar
JAS

948 Posts
(Offline)
4
April 26, 2022 - 12:57 pm

Jtwarren said
I understand, but I wonder why the gospels don’t report the same thing though.  

  

And that is a question for which only conjectures may be offered. (A major part of the issue is presumably the fact that they were written decades after the death of Jesus, by which time they were probably merely distinct oral traditions. Another part of the issue may be that they were never originally intended to be brought together as four parts of one book, although some authors appear to have been familiar with the book of Mark, unless you prefer to alter the usually accepted order of composition, which does not adhere to the order as they appear in the New Testament.) I believe that I am correct in saying that no one who is outside of very conservative religious circles would suggest that the books were actually authored by the names attached to them. Indeed, even that detail is a matter of some controversy. (And yes, that would dramatically affect their status as accounts of first-hand witnesses to the events described.) Those are precisely some of the areas that Dr. Ehrman touches on in his books and lectures. Whether or not one likes his answers is another matter.

Forum Timezone: America/Indiana/Indianapolis
All RSSShow Stats
Administrators:
BDEhrman
FreedomBen
evgendob
Robert
Top Posters:
Steefen: 7957
Stephen: 4766
Porphyry: 1922
godspell: 1827
DavidFord: 1599
BJH1960: 1342
brenmcg: 1184
Colin Milton: 1142
JAS: 948
Jarek: 936
Newest Members:
Npetro
Apocryphon
Blusoul24
warren.bernauer
Andrew Rilstone
3442
ZK02HSF
SignOfTheTimes
Nbo
ninanina
Forum Stats:
Groups: 2
Forums: 13
Topics: 2639
Posts: 47565

 

Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 65
Members: 66124
Moderators: 0
Admins: 4
Most Users Ever Online: 3559
Currently Online: Serene, Steefen, Tjalling
Guest(s) 34
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)