Some mistakes critics make when they read the Bible?

[gsschoenfeld]

I agree. The gospel accounts are "basically" the same in the big picture. But let's face it; there are technical differences in the accounts. Those differences go against the claims of many preachers who insist that every jot-and-tittle of scripture is 100% accurate. And those same preachers seem to want to roast your butt in hell if you point out differences in factual details. Thank you N.T. Wright for setting people straight.

[OKandNOWwhat]

Each Gospel writer was called to a different mission. Each tells the Gospel according to 1 of the 4 constituents of the New Man: mind (Matthew), body (Mark), heart (Luke), spirit (John).

When read & understood this way w/ the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the discrepancies reveal themselves to be revelations rather than conundrums. If you give God the benefit of the doubt, you have made the first step toward becoming His student. Under-standing results from standing under the Teacher---not over.

[Law19157]

@OKandNOWwhat could you explain that a bit more?

[OKandNOWwhat]

@Law19157

Examples: The mind is dualistic, measuring & judging. Thus, when Matthew mirrors a story in Mark, he often doubles what was singular--demoniac, blind men crying out, donkey on which Jesus rode Palm Sunday. When Jesus curses the fig tree in Mtthw, it immediately shrivels, but in Mark it's only the next day when its withering is noticed. This is because, in the mind, changes take place instantly, but the body must wait for full manifestation. Ask the Lord for the revelation. Bless you

[missionaryhollywood]

@OKandNOWwhat Is there any kind of reference you can give me for what you're saying? I have never quite heard anything like the 4 way split in the nature of the new man and how the Evangelists were each writing to one of these constituents as assigned; I'm just wondering where you're getting this. Also just another (honest not snarky) question- Luke didn't write just a gospel but wrote Luke-Acts as a complete work. Would that also mean that Acts was written to the heart as well?

[OKandNOWwhat]

@missionaryhollywood

What I wrote about was received directly from Jesus Christ via His Holy Spirit. See Ezekiel 1,10 & Revelation 4:6-8 for reference. These 4 faces were used to represent the Gospels from early times.

Acts does not apply directly to the Throne of God except when it is used as a chariot (Merkabah) and is drawn by horsemen. There is also a correspondence between the 1st 5 disciples listed & the 4 living creatures & chariot. (See 2 Kings 2:11-12)

"Split" is misleading. They are 1.

[missionaryhollywood]

@OKandNOWwhat That's an interesting connection made b/w the 4 creatures/4 faces of seraphim and 4 Gospel accounts (+Acts since as I said Luke-Acts was one work). Since all of us don't have access to this particular personal revelation of yours I guess we'll just have to work with the hermeneutical methods available to every man.

[OKandNOWwhat]

@missionaryhollywood

Stop doing your own thinking. We have the Mind of Christ. (1 Cor 2:16) All God-begotten spirits DO have access 2 direct revelation. Jesus: "‘& they shall ALL be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who has heard & learned from the Father comes 2 Me." (Jn 6:45; see also 1 Jn 2:20, 27; Mthw 11:29, 23:8; Jn 10:27.) Jesus calls direct revelation "THE 1 THING NECESSARY." (Lk 10:42) Eternal Life IS knowing Jesus. (Jn 17:3, Mthw 7:21-23, 11:27) Bible/hermeneutics don't replace Jesus.

[missionaryhollywood]

@OKandNOWwhat

I don't have much time but regarding the Mary and Martha passage the statement is it is of utmost importance to learn from Jesus. That is why we have Gospels filled with his teachings- to learn from him and with the help of the Holy Spirit to then live according to them. In Hebrews the writer speaks of how in various times God had spoken in dreams and visions but now we have the very Incarnate Son of God who has given us words of life.

[missionaryhollywood]

@OKandNOWwhat That is why I value Scripture because it gives us a clear picture of Jesus. So I will continue to use my mind set free from corruption to understand Scripture and Jesus along with the other spiritual practices/disciplines

[missionaryhollywood]

@OKandNOWwhat

I think split is appropriate since the components are separate enough as to need an entire book addressed specifically to each one rather than being addressed together as a whole.

An Aside: I was just thinking that the Church's spirit must've been malnourished since John's account wasn't written until the end of the 1st century with the 1st and even 2nd generation of Christians passing away before it's completion not to mention limited circulation.