How can the Holy Bible be the word of God if it was written 40 years after the death of Prophet Jesus?

Question

Matthews Gospel was written around 65 C.E. Isn't it possible that Matthew might have forgotten what Jesus said and had to use some of his own words? And inbtween 65 and 1611 C.E. is it possible that someone changed a few of the words before the King James Version was approved?

Answer 1

It depends. I spoke to our Parish priest about that, (^_^) and he said that it was INSPIRED in the prophets who wrote it, so in reality it was not really what Jesus exactly says (or said).

(^_^)

Answer 2

First, you are going with a pretty liberal date for Matthew. Most Bible scholars put it at about 50 AD.

Second, there was some kind of source that predated Matthew, that much is almost certain. My guess is that most of the teachings of Jesus were memorized and passed on orally for a long time (both the Jews and the Greeks were very good at memorizing. It was part of their culture. Memorization, especially when done by numerous people, is an EXCELLENT way of preserving each and every word).

Third, Matthew had the Holy Spirit to guide him.

Fourth, even if Matthew "used some of his own words" that would have been perfectly acceptable. Quoting people in that day, time, and culture, did not require exact quotes, as long as the person's words were not misrepresented.

As far as in between the writting of the New Testament and now (The King James is not a very good translation and was only "authorized" by the King of England), we have thousands and thousands of manuscripts of the New Testament. We know quite a great deal about any discrepencies within the text. In fact, the Greek text that we have today is probably more accurate than any has been in over 1,500 years. The Greek New Testament is considered to be more accurate to the original text than even Shakespear's writings. No other ancient work of literature comes even close.

Answer 3

If I am not mistaken, I think that God had inspired these men to write. All of the scripture that is printed in red is Jesus talking. So many people tries to figure out the bible and the people whom wrote it but it is always some unanswered answers isn't it? How do you know the things of God unless you have the spirit of God? You can read all day and night and you may not ever find your answer. God reveals his mysteries to his people, those that is called by his name. A lot of things has already came to past and his word will not come back void. Pretty soon you will see more things coming to past that is mentioned in the bible. God put his word in these mens hearts regardless of the skeptics. He knew that everyone wouldn't believe anyway or will always have doubt just like doubting Thomas. Many are called but few are chosen. Since some things are beyond your I Q or a little to deep for you, I would seek God's face for answers because man can't help you comprehend the things of God alone.

Answer 4

Your concerns are legitimate if one considers the new testament only as a work of men. It is certainly a work of men but it is also a work of God because God chooses to employ men to convey truth to other men. Rav Shaul (Paul) says for the prophecy did not come in old time by the will of man but holy men of God spoke as they were moved along by the Holy Spirit. The writer to the Hebrews says that they (the old testament prophets) earnestly wanted to know the times spoken of , referring to the fact that not even they knew all the significance of what they said. So christians believe God superintended the process of writing to make sure the truth was recorded.
Now as to your second question, no there is not much possibility that somebody changed the text of the new testament from 65 A.D. to 1611. WE have manuscripts that go back to within 50 years of the originals, some more . The texts have been examined and they vary in minor words, but not enough to change the meaning of any doctrine. For more information on this topic, I suggest you read Lee Strobel's book THE CASE FOR CHRIST.

Answer 5

First, the names Mathew, Mark, Luke and John, are credits to teachers, not the names of authors. That is why in Church they say, the Gospel (Good News) according to Mathew. It is generally accepted that the books were written by followers of these men, and like has been mentioned, there may have been earlier sources to use as guides.

Also, as mentioned in other answers, it is said that the scribes were divinely inspired, filled with the Holy Spirit.

Doubtless, there were changes before the King James Version, as I believe the early sources were written in Greek, Aramaic, and Coptic (Egyptian script). The King James Version itself is different, for there is no such thing as a perfect translation, and ancient typos (stylos?) messed up some of the phrases as well.

But as for the word of God? It is not contained in the Bible, it is in the hearts of Men, it is in our souls, it is in the trees and the wind. But, the Bible can be a source of inspiration, a guidepost to good things. Remember, books contain words, minds contain ideas.

Answer 6

All religions can not be properly suited. They make contradictory statements. as an occasion, Jesus claimed to be the only thank you to God. All religions different than Christianity deny that. the two one faith is authentic, or none of them are. additionally, for the checklist, 39 of the sixty six books of the Bible have been written formerly Jesus (many predicting His coming, see Isaiah fifty 3, Psalm 22). something have been written interior the 1st century, no longer 1000's of years later. The Bible has been translated many cases, confident. How does that make it much less the certainty? If I translate the words "The earth is around" into 20 diverse languages, does that make it any much less authentic or solid? possibly you recommend that is been copied many cases? confident, it has. in spite of the undeniable fact that, we've maximum of copies (hundreds extra effective than the different textual content textile of the classic international) that if there is an errors in one manusript, we are able to verify it with something of the manuscripts and the earliest one's to tell which one is authentic. as an occasion, if 5 scribes all make an errors in copying one sentence, we are able to circulate-verify it with the others and the authentic sentence will come by: The wkrld is around. the international ig around the international is rounf. the international is around. The dorld is around. See what I recommend? the unique for sure grew to become into "the international is around." in spite of each and all the scribes being quite sloppy, we nevertheless get the message. The errors are corrected by using watching the different copies. that could be a similar with biblical manuscripts (who's scribes have been a lot extra solid!). The Bible is the made from the two guy and God. God inspired the adult adult males who wrote it. God used the writing styles of many diverse human authors to communicate His message.

Answer 7

Well saying the bible is the word of God means that it was inspired by God. He used his people to write it. And I think that if God is able to make the heavens and the earth he is able to keep his word accurate. Also there were many people that saw all the miracles Jesus did. It wasn't like any of the prophets just said "hey i think I'll just write this for fun". There were many people that could back up what he did.

Answer 8

Jesus was not a prophet. Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit are 1 in the same. So everything that Jesus said is the Word of God.

Answer 9

Jesus was not a prophet...what about the Koran that had 10 different versions before the Muslim council decide on 1 verse 100 years after the dead of the "prophet" Muhammad

Answer 10

Now you know why I don't base my faith on the bible.... it's very subjective, and could be misinterpreted easily and even wrong from the original gospels. We have to remember that the church was trying for control over a polytheistic religious system. This is probably where the hell spouting stuff came from, and the sins against god. They were scare tactics used to try and convert non-christians. If you live by what Jesus said, and not what he professed then you'll feel better about yourself and those around you. Don't base you faith on the book, base your faith upon the priciples it proclaims.

Answer 11

The gospels where picked through a chosen from as many as 30 different books yet only four of them made it in to the bible , so you see the bible is pieced together from what a bunch of like minded people with an agenda perceived to be true !