need help on the gospels

Hi John,

We as humans have a desire to understand things, and to some extent there's nothing wrong with this. Remember though, that 'faith is the evidence of things not seen'. We do not see God (though some day we will-Praise God). For now, we will always, as Paul said, "See through a veiled glass darkly".

If you think that finding the answers to all the areas that are complicated and confusing will bring peace- it will not. You know that, right ? As soon as you get the answer to one thing, another perplexing question will rise up.

What you must do, is choose to surrender your understanding and choose to love God even when the way seems dark, and you do not fully understand His ways. Choose to praise him even when it seems not to make sense, given your circumstances. Pray those verses from Psalms, where David is going through what you are going through. God is faithfull. He is righteous. Read Ephesians 6:10-18 and remember...having done all 'to stand'.

Below is something someone shared with me once, when I was going through a dark time.

Your brother in Christ,
John

"And the Lord turned the captivity of Job." Beloved brother in Christ, you have had a long captivity in affliction. God has sold you into the hand of your adversaries,and you have wept by the waters of Babylon, hanging your harp upon the willows. Despair not ! He who turned the captivity of Job can turn yours as the streams in the south. He shall make your vineyard to blossom and your field to yield her fruit again. You shall again come forth with those who rejoice, and once more shall the song of gladness be on your lips. Let not despair rivet its cruel fetters about your soul. Hope yet, for there is hope. Trust thou still for there is ground of confidence. He shall bring you up from the land of your captivity, and you shall say of Him, Thou has turned for me my mourning into dancing" (Psalm 30:11)

(This is from a book called, ' The Power of Prayer in a Believer's life' by C.H. Spurgeon)

Dear John,

it just upsets me, why could not God make them more clear and not have this happen, i mean i want to just settle down and say i believe but why the differences

What you don't understand; leave to GOD'S wisdom!

Hi John,

That sounds like a good idea, my friend :-) Maybe if you were to do this type of study at a time when you're not battling troubling thoughts, that would be best.

By the way, if you could pray for me, I would really appreciate it. I have been facing a physical trial (TMJ or jaw joint problems) for a number of years. This has been a challenge in itself, but now some new circumstances have developed at work, which seem to be putting the successful operation of the company I work for, in jeopardy.

God bless ya,
John

Brother get a solid commentary on the harmony of the gospels if that will ease your conscience. Many have been in your position and seen apparent errors or discrepancies in the 4 accounts only due to insufficient or incorrect study.

Brother,

Let me just say after having been through Bible college and having spent some time studying in seminary, and having been an avid student of the Scriptures for a decade, you'll never find a fully satisfactory answer to every issue that arises with the so-called "Synoptic Problem."

There are indeed some tensions and apparent contradictions one will discover if one reads all three gospel accounts side by side. To date, though many valiant attempts have been made, there has yet to be anybody to fully solve the issues that arise over the gospels. There probably never will be. There are many good explinations generally speaking that many evangelical scholars offer as very viable solutions to these problems. There are also some goode explinations in some of the more academic commentaries that address these issues as they arise with each unique passage.

But overall, while one needs to truly study these issues out and be satisified in their own mind, let me attempt to spare you from trying to rectify all these issues, otherwise they will drive you mad. I take rest in the fact that there is very strong evidence that the gospel writers used a source common to them all to write their gospel accounts, and these authors apparently saw nothing in their writings that they thought to be irreconciable with the other writings.

For example, most scholars agree that Mark was the first gospel to be written. And 80% of Mark can be found, word for word, in Matthew and Luke. Likewise, Matthew and Luke have stories that are not in Mark, but appear in both of their gospels, likewise, word for word. However, each gospel has it's own unique material, even though they have so much in common.

Why is this? Because each gospel author had a unique perspective he wanted to share, based on what he felt the needs of his audience were. Thus, sometimes he includes details in his story that we don't hear in another story. Many tensions and alleged contradictions can be resolevd simply by taking things like this in account. Others, however, are not so simple.

This sort of thinking might be hard for many of you to hear. But ultimately, facts are facts, and these are issues any serious student of God's word must ultimately wrestle with. Some lose their faith as a result of being hasty to draw conclusions that they should not draw. But for others like me, I find my faith strengthened.

John,

May I suggest you get the books by Josh McDowell that deal with these issues. They are titled "Evidence that Demands a Verdict". They should help you answer your questions.

Blessings,
ginnyrose

GOD is truth; and HE desires for us to come to
the knowledge of the truth. JESUS promises if
you seek the truth with all your heart and keep
HIS word, the truth will set you free. Let HIS
Word speak. GOD will steer you straight and
lead you right!!

Brother,

May I suggest you share your questions here? Someone should be able to answer them for you.There are a lot of good minds here on SI. I also have the books I mentioned, vol. 1 & 2.

If you are preaching you need to be settled in your mind because inevitably someone will come along and will challenge you on the authenticity of the WORD.

This is just a suggestion...

Blessings
ginnyrose

It is important to study each Gospel in light of how the author wanted to portray Jesus and the good news...

Matthew: The King of the Jews
Mark: The Servant of all

Luke: The Son of Man
John: The Son of God

Once you get what each writer was trying to emphasize, a lot of the questions are answered.

Each writer had a target audience, and a specific view of Jesus Christ they wanted to get across.

i am going to believe on Christ and the scriptures and fully surrender all to Christ and let God work in me, he is my only hope,

This is the wisest decision you will ever make. God bless you.

Having said all this, your brain will not stop working. It is fine to ask questions but not with an attitude of finding fault. The godly questions lead to an answer but if none is forthcoming immediately, that will be ok, it will come in God's own time. This is called 'trust'.

Also in Matthew and mark it says the robbers mocked or reviled Jesus while Luke says he asked for forgiveness, i understand he could have changed his mind later.

I never noticed this before but after checking it out, I think your understanding is correct. It is in comparing Gospel with Gospel that you will gain a broader picture of what happened. Some folks strive for detail, others for a general overall picture. The Gospels illustrate this beautifully. People are like that today as well. Some folks, in telling a story, are very particular in describing the details and others will say, "just tell me what happened!"

First off on the cross they had the writings above Jesus in 4 different writings, i understand their were 3 different languages written on it, so was three of them reading from the different language and whatever you know would be fine.

In looking at this issue, they all identified this person as the "the King of the Jews". The fact some do not say his name could simply be a way of telling a story, just like some today relate a story: some will share details that others do not find essential to the story.

Josh McDowell makes a lot of this fact. And this is what give the Gospels more credibility is the way in which these stories were told. Some have more details then others. Yes, read these writings by Josh McDowell and you will be blessed.

If I recall, Josh McDowell was a skeptic before he came to the LORD. If there was anyone who wanted to fault the scriptures it was him.

Hope this helps a little...

Blessings,
ginnyrose

Deepthinker are you saying there are contradictions then? Your post seems to go back and forth and then alludes to improper exegesis.

Dear John,

But tonight i have made a decision actually before i even posted this, i am going to believe on Christ and the scriptures and fully surrender all to Christ and let God work in me, he is my only hope

Praise God! To believe in Christ, the Word of Life, is to reject any doubts that the enemy may plant in your mind regarding Scripture.

[i]Heb 11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.[/i]

Faith does not seek or require proof. It is simply being sure and certain, and therefore free of doubt. True, unshakeable faith will lead to blessings...

[i]Ps 25:8-15 "Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant. For the sake of your name, O LORD, forgive my iniquity, though it is great.

Who, then, is the man that fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him. He will spend his days in prosperity, and his descendants will inherit the land. The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them. My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only he will release my feet from the snare."[/i]