For the Bible to be without error, shouldn't the gospels be consistent?

Question

Another question:

When Mary (or the group of women) went to the tomb early in the morning, was it light yet or was it still dark? Mark writes that it was "after sunrise" (16:2), when there would have been plenty of light, but John writes that it was "still dark" (20:20). These texts simply do not agree.

I'm not hostile to the Bible or christians in general, just do not understand their position regarding the Bible being inerrant.

How many errors need be shown?

If the authors were inspired by God, wouldn't they have their stories straight? Some of you have argued "no" the this question? If that's the case, the entire Bible should be viewed as accounts from men who may have got their facts screwed up, right?

"....if it is reporting the accounts of witnesses, or the flawed thoughts of people in the situation, and reporting them accurately- is that an error or not?"

It is error if passing it off as fact, or inspired by God, unless God can't keep his facts straight...the criticism I make is pointed at those who insist on trying promote the Bible as inerrant, which is clearly not the case...

Answer 1

The book "Misquoting Jesus" by Bart Ehrman discusses the plethora of errors in the New Testament. One researcher found as many as 30,000.

Thumbs down person: it is true. you should read the book before you judge.

Answer 2

Since Yahoo!Answers does not supply us with underlining, italics, or bold letters, it becomes a challenge to illustrate the words in the sentences that you are referring to. Under this text, I will supply you with the page which shows the verses you question. By clicking on the words underlined in the verses you will see what they translated into English from the typical Greek language in the Bible.

The King James is what I keyed upon:
Mark 16:2
http://bible.crosswalk.com/OnlineStudyBible/bible.cgi?word=Mark+16§ion=0&version=str&new=1&oq=&NavBook=joh&NavGo=20&NavCurrentChapter=20

John 20:20
http://bible.crosswalk.com/OnlineStudyBible/bible.cgi?word=John+20%3A20§ion=0&version=str&new=1&oq=&NavBook=mr&NavGo=16&NavCurrentChapter=16

If you see what I saw in the Greek, I think that you will know that the fault of the translators is to be the real controversy. And not the text it was written from. I know that the NIV translators did not use the same texts as the KJV translators, but I currently have no NIV concordance from which to draw.

That being said, I am in agreement that the Bible is not inerrant.

Answer 3

"No eye witness report of any event is ever identical."

Especially if the writer was not an eyewitness, eh?

"The gospels written by four different men with four different objections"

I object to the fiction, too.

"of which only Mathew and John were disciples."

Too bad those two were not the authors of their respective "gospels", no?

"First, this type of document was unusual in the time they were written."

Sweetie, they are VERY typical of writings, particularly Greco-Roman biographies, of the time. You need to read more.

Apologize away! The amusement never ends...

Answer 4

Did you check that out in the Greek and with a dictionary? In Mark 16 he is describing daybreak. It takes 3 Greek words to make up the English term "sunrise". In John 20 the word is darkness. Not daylight -yet.

You tell a story in English and have someone translate it in to Greek, then have someone else translate back into English. They try to match it word for word.

If you want it word perfect-then I suggest you learn ancient Hebrew, Koine Greek and Aramaic, then read it in the original. That way you will not have to chase all the rabbits that the translators let loose.

Answer 5

My belief is that the Bible is not "God's Divinely Inspired Word" but mans search for God & good orderly direction.

I believe the discrepencies prove that... For nearly 2,000 years believers have tried to edit, translate & eliminate to make the Bible consistent.

I have no problem with those who wish to believe in a group of books as the basis for their beliefs.... just don't try to beat me over the head with those books as being perfect.

Answer 6

The gospels written by four different men with four different objections, of which only Mathew and John were disciples. The others were giving us were giving 2nd hand information. Whengiving the account of Christs life they were talking to different audiences and only place what they felt were important. As for the "error" you suppose it is esy to understand in Johns gospel the ladies left while it was still dark and arrived as the sun was coming up. Hope you read and study more before posting another biblical question.

Answer 7

King James Version mark 16:2 " at the rising of the sun " John 20:1 " When it was yet dark ". They both point that it was very early in the morning . King James is nearly the closest in interpretation.

Answer 8

The Bible itself does not claim to be without error in its entirety- that is something we humans have tacked on.

However, if it is reporting the accounts of witnesses, or the flawed thoughts of people in the situation, and reporting them accurately- is that an error or not?

Answer 9

If four people were standing on four street corners and witnessed an accident. Do you really think all four would report exactly the same? The Gospels are four accounts written from four perspectives. They can all be right!

Answer 10

No eye witness report of any event is ever identical. The question is do they contradict each other in a significant enough manner to discredit them entirely?

Answer 11

to me it doesnt matter at all , whether it was dark , bright or at sunrise but no light , that's not the bible about you know , you left all the teachings and focused on just a word , that whether it was day or night it isnot going to make a difference you know,,, the teachings of God which we can reach through the bible are the things that proves whether the bible is wrong or right , and through my experience i see that the bible is right ,,,,