BLR- The similarities are endless. Names; Dates; Events. 2000 years ago it didn't matter that the stories were the same, save for changing the names, because mankind didn't have the ability to keep and retrieve databases of information on a global scale like we can now. The sad thing is, we now have the ability to do so and yet people still don't utilize all the resources at their disposal. Knowledge is power.

I think that you are right about this.

I think that this is what Carl meant ~ and I did agree.
However
Why would that be?
Why wouldn't God intend people to understand his word?
Our eternal souls could be at risk if we misunderstand, so I wouldn't feel very happy to know that God intended us 'to never fully understand it all'.

Reconcile? Such a weighted word. definition: to bring into agreement or harmony; make compatible or consistent. Can't make consistent what isn't. Plain and simple.

However, you can do what should be done which is compare and contrast. Where do the accounts agree? Where do they disagree? Could the disagreement be deemed more reliable based out cultural/historical or otherwise outside knowledge?

But me? I don't care enough about the NT to do such analyzing myself. In such a meaningless text, why should it matter? She saw an angel, she didn't. She met the Messiah at this point, or that point, or not at all. She was excited or not or whatever.... what does it matter? Is there theology being stated? Not at all.

I think, Niki, that, when Christians are saying that one's eternal soul is at risk, if one does not believe and trust in God / Jesus / the word of God, etc, it is important to make it known that the book upon which we are supposed to rely for this 'truth' is not (always) reliable.

The Bible is the infallible word of God (supposedly). The New Testament tells us all about Jesus. Jesus is the Redeemer (supposedly), and, if we do not believe, we (supposedly) suffer eternal hell and damnation.

Yet, the book of God's word, which tells us all about his redeeming son, is full of contraditions and other inexplicable content.

Therefore, this should be considered a very serious matter.

Of course, if none of it is true, then it hardly matters at all

And there you have it....the bottom line.

I should have prefaced the OP with the statement “This is a question for those who say there are no contradictions in the Bible.”

[quote=rstrats]I should have prefaced the OP with the statement “This is a question for those who say there are no contradictions in the Bible.”[/quote] Anyone who says that obviously hasn't read the Bible.

[quote=XPR15SR][quote=rstrats]I should have prefaced the OP with the statement “This is a question for those who say there are no contradictions in the Bible.”[/quote] Anyone who says that obviously hasn't read the Bible. [/quote] Second that.

If we want to look at issues of our current religious world not coinciding with the Bible, we just need to look at the fact that most Christians celebrate Sunday as their holy day when in fact the Bible clearly indicates it is Saturday -

http://www.lisashea.com/hobbies/art/satsun.html

So that is a fairly substantial problem.