Beliefs about apologetic harmonizations

Difflugia · Post by **Difflugia** » Wed Jan 08, 2020 7:03 pm

I'm not exactly sure how to ask this, but I'm trying to get a feel for why people believe apologetic harmonizations reflect what's actually true.

This stems from a discussion about the nativity stories of Matthew and Luke. Matthew and Luke describe what I see as two completely incompatible narratives. Apologists claim that a combined narrative that essentially alternates events explains them. While I understand such explanations in the "it's not impossible" sense, I can't believe that they reflect history. Why do others disagree?

Other examples are harmonizations of the two deaths of Judas, Jesus cleansing the temple both at the beginning and end of his ministry, and sermons on both the mount and plain.

Are the Bible authors aware of both events when they write about one or the other? Did God mean for them to be puzzles? What do you think the relationships are between history, the biblical authors, and God?

I posted this here in the non-debate section because I'm interested in having answers included that might be based on gut feelings or maybe just not supportable in a logical or rigorous way. If I question answers, it's because I'm looking for clarification and not argument.

Thanks in advance.

JehovahsWitness · Post by **JehovahsWitness** » Sat Jan 11, 2020 7:05 am

[Replying to post 10 by JehovahsWitness]

The above principle applies to both the gospels but also for any other bible teaching. It's importance cannot be over emphasized.

JehovahsWitness · Post by **JehovahsWitness** » Sat Jan 11, 2020 7:11 am

Double. My apologies.

Post by **otseng** » Sat Jan 11, 2020 7:45 am

[Replying to post 9 by Divine Insight]

There are plenty of justifications that I can give for what I've asserted. But, this is not the place to do it. I really should go and write those books....

ttruscott · Post by **ttruscott** » Sat Jan 11, 2020 3:48 pm

otseng wrote: [Replying to post 9 by Divine Insight]

There are plenty of justifications that I can give for what I've asserted. But, this is not the place to do it. I really should go and write those books....

Not quite either of the fear of writing phobias â€“ Graphophobia or Scriptophobia...maybe we need to coin a new phobia including the word atelophobia which refers to the fear of being imperfect,