Wrested Scriptures (Part 11 of 0)

Wrested Scriptures – Part Eleven

Apparent Contradictions

Some have attempted to discredit the Bible by pointing out what appears to be a contradiction Here are some examples of these along with the explanation These serve to illustrate how valuable the book Wrested Scriptures will be to own

Matt 2 1 “Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod     the king      „

Luke 2 4 “And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem

Problem Matthew indicates that Mary and Joseph lived at Bethlehem, but Luke says that they returned to Bethlehem for the census Therefore, it is argued, there is an apparent discrepancy

Solution:

  1. Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem is no more proof that his parents lived there, than the statement that “I was born at sea” implies that mine lived in a ship.
  2. A reading of Luke 2:1-7 shows that while at Bethlehem for the census, Jesus was born. Mary had lived at Nazareth in Galilee before the journey to Bethlehem, (Lk. 1:26, 27).

Matt. 27:37 “And set up over his head his accusation written, This is Jesus The King of the Jews.”

Mark 15:26 “And the superscription of his accusation was written over, The King of the Jews.”

Luke 23:38 “And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, This is the King of the Jews.“

John 19:19 “And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews.”

Problem: It is argued that the Bible can not be verbally inspired since the Gospel writers do not quote the same superscription on the cross.

Solution:

  1. Verbal inspiration does not require the writers of the Gospels to record the complete inscription unless such would be relevant to the purpose of their Gospels.
  2. There is no contradiction in the words of the inscription. This can be seen by the following comparison:

Matt. 27:37—This Is Jesus the King of the Jews

Mark 15:26—The King of the Jews

Luke 23:38—This Is the King of the Jews

John 19:19—Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews

The complete superscription probably read: “This Is Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews“.