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Originally posted by AshleyD
To Speaker of Truth: How so? I always think it's funny when critics say "The Gospels all conflict each other!" Then turn around and use the Synoptic Gospel problem by saying the Gospels of Matthew and Luke were copied almost verbatim from Mark because they are so similar. It can only be one or the other. So let me know if there is something I can help with or clarify for you.
Originally posted by AshleyD
To Speaker of Truth: How so? I always think it's funny when critics say "The Gospels all conflict each other!" Then turn around and use the Synoptic Gospel problem by saying the Gospels of Matthew and Luke were copied almost verbatim from Mark because they are so similar. It can only be one or the other. So let me know if there is something I can help with or clarify for you.
Which was it?
According to Matthew, "Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea, in the days of Herod the king" (Matt. 2: 1 ). Herod died in the year 4 BC, but Jesus was born at least two years before the death of Herod, for Herod is recorded by Matthew as long waiting for the return of the "wise men" to report on the new-born King of the Jews, and as massacring all the children "from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men" (Matt. 2: 16 ). Jesus was thus born at least six years BC, if Herod died immediately after the massacre of the Innocents, which is not likely. Matthew thus lays the birth of Jesus in 6 BC at the earliest.
Luke makes out the birth to have been at earliest in the year 7 AD or thirteen years later. Luke tells of Joseph and Mary's going from Galilee to Bethlehem to be taxed, and says that Jesus was born while they were in Bethlehem on this fanciful mission. For, he says, "in those days. ... there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria)" (Luke 2: 1-7 ). It is well known that Galilee was annexed to Syria and Cyrenius (Quirinius) made governor in AD 7. A classic authority may be taken, out of many, to fix this date. Josephus relates: "And now Herod altered his testament and granted the kingdom to Archelaus. ... When he had done these things he died. (Antiq., Bk. 17, chap. 7, sec. 1 ). "But in the tenth year of Archelaus's government" the Jews "accused him before Caesar" who banished him to Vienna in Gaul (Id., chap. 13, sec. 2 ). "So Archelaus's country was laid to the province of Syria; and Cyrenius, one that had been consul, was sent by Caesar to take account of people's effects in Syria, and to sell the house of Archelaus" (Id., chap. 13, sec. 5 ). "Moreover, Cyrenius came himself into Judea, which was now added to the province of Syria, to take an account of their substance" (Antiq., Bk. 18, chap. 1, sec. 1 ). "When Cyrenius had now disposed of Archelaus's money, and when the taxings were come to a conclusion, which were made in the thirty-seventh year of Caesar's victory over Anthony at Actium" (Id., chap. 2, see. 1 ). Luke's taxation was then at a period thirty-seven years after the historic battle of Actium, which took place September 2, 31 BC; the thirty-seventh year after would therefore be between September 2, AD 6 and September 2, AD 7, in which year Luke says Jesus was born.
Gospel Contradictions:
1) How many generations were there between Abraham to David? Matthew 1:17 lists fourteen generations. Matthew 1:2 lists thirteen generations.
2) Is Paul lying? In Acts 20:35 Paul told people "to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" Since Jesus never made such a biblical statement, isn’t Paul guilty of deception?
3) When did the leper become not a leper? (Matthew 8:13 & 8:14) Jesus healed the leper before visiting the house. (Mark 1:29-30 & 1:40-42) Jesus healed the leper after visiting Simon Peter’s house.
4) Who approached Jesus? (Matthew 8:5-7) The Centurion approached Jesus, beseeching help for a sick servant. (Luke 7:3 & 7:6-7) The Centurion did not approach Jesus. He sent friends and elders of the Jews.
5) Was she dead or just dying? (Matthew 9:18) He asked for help, saying his daughter was already dead. (Luke 8:41-42) Jairus approached Jesus for help, because his daughter was dying.
6) Just what did Jesus instruct them to take? (Matthew 10:10) Jesus instructed them not to take a staff, not to wear sandals. (Mark 6:8-9) Jesus instructed his disciples to wear sandals and take a staff on their journey.
7) When did John find out Jesus was the Messiah? (Matthew 11:2-3) While imprisoned. John the Baptist sent followers to Jesus to inquire if Jesus was the messiah. (Luke 7:18-22) While imprisoned. John the Baptist sent followers to Jesus to inquire if Jesus was the Messiah. (John 1 :29-34,36) John already knew Jesus was the Messiah.
8) Who made the request? (Matthew 20:20-21) Their mother requested that James and John, Zebedee’s children, should sit beside Jesus in his Kingdom. (Mark 10:35-37) James and John, Zebedee’s children, requested that they should sit beside Jesus in his Kingdom.
9) What animals were brought to Jesus? (Matthew 21:2-7) two of the disciples brought Jesus an ass and a colt from the village of Bethphage. (Mark 11:2-7) They brought him only a colt.
10) When did the fig tree hear of its doom? (Matthew 21:17-19) Jesus cursed the fig tree after purging the temple. (Mark 11:14-15 & 20) He cursed it before the purging.
Originally posted by AshleyD
The fulfillment of prophecy to the letter, the way underlying subjects mesh together once you engage in exegesis, advanced scientific foreknowledge in the Bible, the way everything that is supposed to happen before Jesus' second coming is happening before our eyes (and the things left to be fulfilled are being prepared by current world events), the historical accuracy of the Bible, spiritual and miraculous occurrences I've been able to witness, and everything else that goes along with Christian apologetics.
False Prophecies About the Armageddon:
Jesus’ Predictions:
1) Jesus falsely prophesies DIRECTLY to the high priest (Caiphas) that he would live to see his second coming. Jesus uses the term “coming on the clouds of heaven”. This clearly negates the “coming” as the resurrection but as a return to the earth on CLOUDS, not his return in human form from the dead. Matthew 26:64 & Mark 14:62.
"But I tell you: From now on you will see 'the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power' and 'coming on the clouds of heaven.'" (Matthew 26:64 NAB)
Then Jesus answered, "I am; and 'you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.'" (Mark 14:62 NAB)
2) Jesus mistakenly tells his followers that he will return and establish his kingdom within their lifetime. Matthew 23:36 & 24:34
Amen, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation. (Matthew 23:36 NAB)
"Immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming upon the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a trumpet blast, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. "Learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see all these things, know that he is near, at the gates. Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. (Matthew 24:29-35 NAB)
Originally posted by MajorMalfunction
Have you read the Bible lately? It is hardly cohesive. There are two different versions of the creation myth in genesis.
Furthermore, the bible can't be used to prove the existence of god. That is a type of logical fallacy. Basically, that is assuming the existence of god based on a book. There is no external evidence that can't be explained more rationally and better by science.
The bible is not proof there is a god.
Originally posted by blueorder
Originally posted by MajorMalfunction
Have you read the Bible lately? It is hardly cohesive. There are two different versions of the creation myth in genesis.
Furthermore, the bible can't be used to prove the existence of god. That is a type of logical fallacy. Basically, that is assuming the existence of god based on a book. There is no external evidence that can't be explained more rationally and better by science.
The bible is not proof there is a god.
Creation cannot be explained rationally by science, unless you are on acid
Originally posted by Icon_xof
And how exactley does religion do a better job explaining creation huh? Lets see, everything in 7 days by a supposedly all knowing and all powerful (even though to be both is literally IMPOSSIBLE) being? Please, I would love to hear how that is more plausible than the black hole/white hole theory, or even the big bang theory...
Originally posted by Icon_xof
At first you said "Creation cannot be explained rationally by science", leading one to the obvious conclusion that you believe that religion can rationally explain it.
Now you're saying that neither can?
Is that your final answer? lol
Just giving you a hard time. I agree, we have no idea where we came from. The real idiots are the ones who are arrogant enough to believe that we do.
CRUCIFIXION CONTRADICTIONS
In John 12:1-8 the anointing of Jesus took place six days before Passover, not two days prior as is stated in Mark and Matthew. John's setting is Bethany which agrees with Mark and Matthew, but the host, according to John, is Lazarus, not Simon thus contradicting Mark, Matthew and Luke.