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Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible

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Page 1: Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Lesson 9 Historical Discrepancies Defending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives

Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible

Page 2: Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Lesson 9 Historical Discrepancies Defending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives

Lesson 9

Historical DiscrepanciesDefending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives.

Page 3: Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Lesson 9 Historical Discrepancies Defending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives

Rationale: The student will encounter some major attacks on the internal consistency of the Bible in matters of the historical account of the resurrection of Christ. In doing so the student will become familiar with a two step approach in dealing with such, these two steps are: 1) becoming familiar with cautionary principles against mistaken claims of contradictions in scripture. 2) Using such principles in answering the charges against the historical consistency of the resurrection narratives.

Page 4: Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Lesson 9 Historical Discrepancies Defending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives

The three cautionary principles and their rules that we discussed in lesson 8 will be helpful in defending Christianity’s central, pivotal claim: Jesus Christ rose from the dead with a resurrected body. This central claim of Christianity is not a mere philosophical or even theological proposition as such; it is an historical claim. The apostle Paul makes this clear in 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 (read).

Page 5: Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Lesson 9 Historical Discrepancies Defending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives

1. If Christ has not been raised then our Christian proclamation is without foundation and so is our faith v14.

2. If Christ has not been raised our faith is worthless and we are still in our sins v17.

3. If we have put our hope in Christ in this life only we are to be pitied more than anyone v19.

Page 6: Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Lesson 9 Historical Discrepancies Defending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives

These points made by Paul dismiss the notion made by many Christians and scholars alike that alleged discrepancies in the resurrection narratives are no serious matter and do not effect Christianity at all.

Page 7: Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Lesson 9 Historical Discrepancies Defending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives

The resurrection of Jesus was the central theme in the early church preaching and is central and essential to the true, Biblical Christian faith, therefore the main points of the four gospel accounts of the resurrection must be defended by using our three principles and their rules, bear in mind the words of William Arndt:

Page 8: Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Lesson 9 Historical Discrepancies Defending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives

“To begin with, every well-informed Bible reader will admit without hesitation that not one of the four accounts of the resurrection is complete, reporting all the facts. Neither is there one among them which makes the claim of being exhaustive. Each one reports actual occurrences, but not all the pertinent occurrences. It will be allowed by all fair-minded persons that reports may be fragmentary, incomplete, and yet true. If this simple principle is borne in mind, most of the difficulties contained in the resurrection story will vanish.”

Page 9: Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Lesson 9 Historical Discrepancies Defending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives

The historical resurrection account will be outlined in seven major statements and will be reconciled with our cautionary principles against contradiction.1. Mary Magdalene and Others Go to the

Tomb Early Sunday Morning.

Page 10: Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Lesson 9 Historical Discrepancies Defending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives

Matthew 28:1 (NASB) 1 Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave. Mark 16:1-2 (NASB) 1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might come and anoint Him. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, they *came to the tomb when the sun had risen.

Page 11: Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Lesson 9 Historical Discrepancies Defending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives

Luke 23:55-56 through Luke 24:1 (NASB)55 Now the women who had come with Him out of Galilee followed, and saw the tomb and how His body was laid. 56

Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes. And on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment. 1 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. John 20:1 (NASB) 1 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene *came early to the tomb, while it *was still dark, and *saw the stone already taken away from the tomb.

Page 12: Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Lesson 9 Historical Discrepancies Defending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives

A. The synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, & Luke) all mention other women also went to the tomb of Jesus with Mary Magdalene on that Sunday morning.

B. John only mentions Mary Magdalene; however, silence about the other women is not denying that they went, hence: John’s purpose is to focus on Mary Magdalene and her encounter with the resurrected Christ:

Page 13: Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Lesson 9 Historical Discrepancies Defending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives

C. Some allege a discrepancy in time when Mary Magdalene and others went to the tomb:

i. Matthew says: “as it began to dawn”.ii. Mark says: it was very early in the morning

“when the sun had risen”.iii. Luke says: “at early dawn”.iv. John says: “came early to the tomb while it

was still dark”.

Page 14: Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Lesson 9 Historical Discrepancies Defending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives

It is very plausible to assume that the women left their homes very early in the morning while it was still dark and arrived at the tomb when the sun was rising.

Page 15: Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Lesson 9 Historical Discrepancies Defending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives

2. The Empty Tomb Is Open and Angels Are Present.

Page 16: Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Lesson 9 Historical Discrepancies Defending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives

Matthew 28:2 (NASB) And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it.Mark 16:4-5 (NASB) 4 Looking up, they *saw that the stone had been rolled away, although it was extremely large. 5 Entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting at the right, wearing a white robe; and they were amazed.

Page 17: Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Lesson 9 Historical Discrepancies Defending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives

Luke 24:2-5 (NASB) 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men suddenly stood near them in dazzling clothing; 5 and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living One among the dead?

Page 18: Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Lesson 9 Historical Discrepancies Defending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives

John 20:12-13 (NASB) 12 and she *saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been lying. 13 And they *said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She *said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him."

Page 19: Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Lesson 9 Historical Discrepancies Defending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives

A. All four gospels report angelic appearances on the morning of the resurrection.

B. All four gospels report that the stone was removed from the opening of the tomb.

C. Only Matthew records how the tomb was opened: “an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone …”

Page 20: Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Lesson 9 Historical Discrepancies Defending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives

D. The silence from Mark, Luke, and John on how the tomb was opened is not meant to be a denial of it being opened:

E. The different reporting’s in regard to the angelic appearances and activities cannot be taken as denials of each other’s reports:

Page 21: Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Lesson 9 Historical Discrepancies Defending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives

F. Luke reports two angels present, but neither Matthew nor Mark reports “one and only one” angel and their silence about the second angelic figure does not need to be construed as denial:

G. John confirms the presence of two angels at the tomb, although John reports only their appearance to Mary after she returns to the tomb with Peter and the disciple whom Jesus loved:

Page 22: Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Lesson 9 Historical Discrepancies Defending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives

H. The synoptic gospels differ slightly in the paraphrases of the angelic pronouncements to the women, this however is unproblematic and poses not discrepancy:

Page 23: Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Lesson 9 Historical Discrepancies Defending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives

3. The Women Report the Empty Tomb to the Disciples.

Page 24: Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Lesson 9 Historical Discrepancies Defending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives

Matthew 28:8 (NASB) And they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to report it to His disciples.

Page 25: Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Lesson 9 Historical Discrepancies Defending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives

Luke 24:9-12 (NASB) 9 and returned from the tomb and reported all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 Now they were Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James; also the other women with them were telling these things to the apostles. 11

But these words appeared to them as nonsense, and they would not believe them. 12 But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he *saw the linen wrappings only; and he went away to his home, marveling at what had happened.

Page 26: Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Lesson 9 Historical Discrepancies Defending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives

John 20:2 (NASB) So she *ran and *came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and *said to them, "They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him."

Page 27: Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Lesson 9 Historical Discrepancies Defending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives

A. Matthew and Luke simply record that the women reported the empty tomb (and the angelic announcement) to the disciples, but John gives added information that Mary reported the empty tomb to Peter.

Page 28: Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Lesson 9 Historical Discrepancies Defending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives

B. Mark’s report is considered by opponents of the Bible to be contradictory:

Mark 16:8 (NASB) They went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had gripped them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

Page 29: Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Lesson 9 Historical Discrepancies Defending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives

C. Here mark is merely giving additional information, for in vv 6-7 of Mark 16, the angel informs the women that Jesus has risen and has gone ahead of them to Galilee, and for them to go and tell Peter and the rest of the disciples that Jesus had risen. Thus the women were silent on their way to tell the disciples.

Page 30: Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Lesson 9 Historical Discrepancies Defending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives

D. This is where Mark ends his report; he does not say that women never told the other disciples, the other gospels continue the account from there.

Page 31: Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Lesson 9 Historical Discrepancies Defending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives

E. John is clear in reporting that Mary Magdalene went to the tomb, then she reported to Peter, then she went back to the tomb where she saw angels after Peter left, and then she reported again to the disciples after she saw Jesus.

Page 32: Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Lesson 9 Historical Discrepancies Defending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives

F. John’s detailed focus on Mary Magdalene does not deny the presence of the other women, nor does it necessitate that the other women were always with Mary.

Page 33: Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Lesson 9 Historical Discrepancies Defending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives

G. John’s level of detail does not deny the synoptic summaries, which are still correct: the women went to the tomb, they saw angels, and they reported to the disciples.

Page 34: Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Lesson 9 Historical Discrepancies Defending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives

4. Peter and Another Visit the Empty Tomb.Both Luke and John report Peter visiting the empty tomb after hearing the report of the women:

Page 35: Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Lesson 9 Historical Discrepancies Defending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives

Luke 24:10-12 (NASB) 10 Now they were Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James; also the other women with them were telling these things to the apostles. 11 But these words appeared to them as nonsense, and they would not believe them. 12 But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he *saw the linen wrappings only; and he went away to his home, marveling at what had happened.

Page 36: Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Lesson 9 Historical Discrepancies Defending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives

John 20:2-3 (NASB) 2 So she *ran and *came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and *said to them, "They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him." 3 So Peter and the other disciple went forth, and they were going to the tomb.

Page 37: Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Lesson 9 Historical Discrepancies Defending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives

A. John’s specificity that it was Mary Magdalene reporting to Peter does not conflict with Luke’s report, which includes more names: Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other with them.

Page 38: Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Lesson 9 Historical Discrepancies Defending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives

B. John’s specificity that “the other disciple” (possibly John himself) accompanied Peter to the tomb does not contradict Luke’s report that Peter went into the tomb.

Page 39: Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Lesson 9 Historical Discrepancies Defending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives

C. Luke records that multiple male visitors went to the tomb due to the report of the women, for he later records one of the disciples on the road to Emmaus reporting, “Some of those who with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said” (Luke 24:24). Thus the broader summary of Luke does not deny the details of John’s lengthier report.

Page 40: Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Lesson 9 Historical Discrepancies Defending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives

5. Some Women See the Resurrected Jesus.Both Matthew and John report women seeing the resurrected Jesus:

Page 41: Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Lesson 9 Historical Discrepancies Defending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives

Matthew 28:9-10 (NASB) 9 And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him. 10

Then Jesus *said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and take word to My brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me."

Page 42: Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Lesson 9 Historical Discrepancies Defending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives

John 20:16-18 (NASB) 16 Jesus *said to her, "Mary!" She turned and *said to Him in Hebrew, "Rabboni!" (which means, Teacher). 17 Jesus *said to her, "Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, 'I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.'" 18 Mary Magdalene *came, announcing to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord," and that He had said these things to her.

Page 43: Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Lesson 9 Historical Discrepancies Defending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives

A. Matthew reports Mary Magdalene and other women seeing the resurrected Jesus, while John only reports Mary.

B. Matthew does not record the visit of Peter and the other disciple to the tomb, yet John records more details including Mary reporting to Peter that the tomb has been opened and Peter and another disciple running to the tomb.

Page 44: Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Lesson 9 Historical Discrepancies Defending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives

C. Matthew records that all the women took hold of Jesus’ feet and worshiped him, while John reports that Jesus commanded Mary to stop clinging to him.

D. John reports that both Peter and the other disciple enter the tomb and observe the grave clothes, and after they leave the empty tomb Mary enters and she sees and hears two angelic beings speaking to her about Christ, yet John does not mention that Peter and the other disciple saw the angelic beings.

Page 45: Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Lesson 9 Historical Discrepancies Defending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives

6. Jesus Appears to Peter.Some opponents of the resurrection account charge that Paul cites Peter as the first witness of the resurrection and not the women:

Page 46: Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Lesson 9 Historical Discrepancies Defending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives

1 Corinthians 15:3-8 (NASB) 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; 7

then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; 8

and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.

Page 47: Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Lesson 9 Historical Discrepancies Defending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives

A. Here Paul does not explicitly exclude the possibility of other resurrection appearances; Paul is compiling the evidence of resurrection witnesses.

B. Those that Paul includes are apparently given in chronological order; but he does not claim to include all resurrection appearances.

Page 48: Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Lesson 9 Historical Discrepancies Defending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives

7. Jesus Appears to the Disciples.Luke and John both mention Jesus appearing rather suddenly to the disciples on the day of the resurrection:

Page 49: Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Lesson 9 Historical Discrepancies Defending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives

Luke 24:13-15 (NASB) 13 And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 And they were talking with each other about all these things which had taken place. 15 While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself approached and began traveling with them.

Page 50: Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Lesson 9 Historical Discrepancies Defending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives

A. Luke alone mentions that this resurrection appearance of Jesus to the disciples on the road to Emmaus preceded his appearance to the disciples.

Page 51: Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Lesson 9 Historical Discrepancies Defending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives

John 20:19-25 (NASB) 19 So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and *said to them, "Peace be with you." 20 And when He had said this, He showed them both His hands and His side. The disciples then rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 So Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you." 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them and *said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.

Page 52: Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Lesson 9 Historical Discrepancies Defending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives

23 "If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained." 24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples were saying to him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe."

Page 53: Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Lesson 9 Historical Discrepancies Defending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives

B. John mentions that it was evening on the “first day” of the week when Jesus appeared, in addition John alone mentions that Thomas, one of the “twelve” was absent.

Page 54: Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Lesson 9 Historical Discrepancies Defending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives

Luke 24:33-35 (NASB) 33 And they got up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found gathered together the eleven and those who were with them, 34 saying, "The Lord has really risen and has appeared to Simon." 35 They began to relate their experiences on the road and how He was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread.

Page 55: Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Lesson 9 Historical Discrepancies Defending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives

C. The disciples of Emmaus returned to Jerusalem and found the “eleven” disciples and reported all that had happened between them and the resurrected Christ. However, John and Paul in their accounts mention the “twelve” although Judas had already abandoned Christ and the eleven. The “twelve” was a “referent” to identify the group of Jesus’ disciples.

Page 56: Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Lesson 9 Historical Discrepancies Defending the Consistency of the New Testament Historical Resurrection Narratives

Conclusion: Our claim is that correct interpretation, which includes the cautionary principles with their rules outlined in lesson 8 and applied in lesson 9 will continue to demonstrate that the Bible contains no historical contradictions, particularly with the resurrection accounts of Christ.