They’re not. They’re pseudepigraphic and they’re not history — they’re inspirational works pitched to specific audiences.
They’re based on the oral tradition, which tends to be a long game of telephone, as it gets distorted through being passed along from one source to another.
And they have scribal errors, some accidental and often incidental, but some both deliberate and significant.
The Gospels are different because the writers were different, and they had different purposes in writing things down.
Mark — short and to the point
Matthew — writing for the Jews with a lot of quotes from the Old Testament
Luke — an orderly account with several stories not in other Gospels
John — lived the longest and basically wrote theology along with the history.
Except for the fact the entire Bible meshes together to become the greatest story ever told. Its all true and the Books themselves are deeper then any rabbit hole with more truth and mystery then 10 million scribes with unlimited imaginations could ever hope to write.
Our lord Jesus Christ did not give us books filled with lies and errors. He gave us his word which is he himself.
I am sorry that you do not see or hear the Word but I pray that you do someday soon
There is far more historical evidence pointing to the veracity of the gospels than pretty much any other historical event until fairly recently.
The gospels are not distorted -- the oldest manuscripts and the newest are in agreement. Pick up any NIV and you will see every so-called discrepancy between manuscripts magnified to the fullest extent possible. And you will be underwhelmed.
Please present your case.
If you will read it, I will buy you a copy of “Evidence That Demands a Verdict”, a book written for laymen, which deals with every one of your criticisms.
It has ample reverences if you wish to check the documentation of the author’s assertions.
Source?
Phillip Jenkins has a book about this you should read...
The existence of the Gosples is irrelevant — it’s only Faith that matters. And whether or not one’s Faith is consistent with the Gospels is something only the individual can understand, and not be refuted by another that claims to know what the individual understands, not to be true.
Reading the Bible can be like reading any other book for some people. For others it is like reading a book in a language they do not understand.
The key to understanding the Bible is to allow the Holy Spirit act as the interpreter within us. That is why prayer and meditation on the meaning of the scriptures is so important. Without the interpreter, our individual logic will prohibit us from having ears and hearing His word.
When I read the Bible, I feel Jesus in my heart. It is more addicting than potato chips. It’s wisdom is beyond the words. Just as a stop sign has no power over you, but merely directs your thoughts to perform an action that guides you safely along your journey, the Bible does the same.
The Bible has many meanings at many levels. While all are the truth, the meanings are different based upon our limited level of understanding. That is why we read and study the comments of those who have grown closer to God in their lives. Follow success. Jesus was the most successful, .. and thus His words are the best for me to follow for guidance. He blazed the trail for me to follow.
I see that Comparative Religion class strikes again.
Regarding your “long game of telephone” comparison ... let me refer you to this website: http://coldcasechristianity.com/
You may want to start with this video, which shows that the “chain of custody” is a matter worthy of serious consideration:
http://coldcasechristianity.com/2014/the-importance-of-the-new-testament-chain-of-custody/
Well your paper is unlikely to make the ETS journal this year.
Since you are simply parroting atheistic assertions here are some site which deal with these and such:
http://www.christian-thinktank.com/
http://www.tektonics.org/uz/wally01.html
http://www.muslimhope.com/BibleAnswers.htm (responses Alleged Bible contradictions)
http://www.answering-islam.org/Bible/Contra/index.html (responses to Alleged Bible contradictions)
http://net-burst.net/hot/ Issues That Make Christians Squirm!
http://www.existence-of-god.com /
http://www.truefreethinker.com/
http://www.leaderu.com/offices/billcraig/menus/existence.html
http://www.atheistdelusion.net/
http://www.epsociety.org/library/articles.asp?pid=45&mode=detail (Is Yahweh a Moral Monster?)
http://reformed-theology.org/html/issue06/governments.htm
http://www.scholarscorner.com/apologia/deathtoll.html - Atheism’s Body Count
http://www.rhoblogy.blogspot.com/
http://freedomdefender.blogspot.com/2005/05/atrocities-of-atheism-episode-i.html
http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/1121/p09s01-coop.html
http://www.epsociety.org/library/articles.asp?pid=45&mode=detail
Biblical Prophecies in the Light of History By Jim And Judy Stocker
http://www.harvardhouse.com/site-map.htm
http://atheism-analyzed.blogspot.com/
http://www.tektonics.org/jesusexisthub.html
http://www.kingdavid8.com/_full_article.php?id=fe54916c-64bc-11e1-8f66-6067e33f8f11
http://www.christian-thinktank.com/copycat.html
http://www.thedevineevidence.com/pagan_copycat.html
http://www.preventingtruthdecay.org/zeitgeistpartone.shtml (”Zeitgeist” Online Movie: Part One Refuted)
I appreciate being able to find these overall worthy sites, yet note that as with people, referencing links to other sites does not necessarily mean I agree with everything a site (or their hosting company) contains, which can be substantial.
Extra credit for use of: “pseudepigraphic”
They’re based on the oral tradition, which tends to be a long game of telephone, as it gets distorted through being passed along from one source to another.
And they have scribal errors, some accidental and often incidental, but some both deliberate and significant.
Isn't that what Longnecker/the OP just said?