Who actually went to the tomb? Was it Mary alone (John 20:1)? Mary and another Mary (Matthew 28:1)? Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome…… Read more “Women at the Tomb: Examining Bart Ehrman’s claim of contradictory reports”
How did Judas die? Ehrman on the Judas death in Matthew and Luke
The commonly held view that Judas went out and “hanged himself” comes from Matthew (27:3-10). After Judas sees that his betrayal has led to Jesus’ conviction, he…… Read more “How did Judas die? Ehrman on the Judas death in Matthew and Luke”
Did the churches in Judea know Paul? Why Acts and Galatians contradict Ehrman
2. Did the churches in Judea know Paul? Here again Paul is quite clear. Sometime after he converted he went around to various churches in the regions…… Read more “Did the churches in Judea know Paul? Why Acts and Galatians contradict Ehrman”
After Jesus’ Baptism: where was Jesus the day after? A Look at the Gospels of Mark and John
Where Was Jesus the Day After He Was Baptized? In Matthew, Mark, and Luke — the so-called Synoptic Gospels — Jesus, after his baptism, goes off into…… Read more “After Jesus’ Baptism: where was Jesus the day after? A Look at the Gospels of Mark and John”
God’s Word and Contradictions: Sworn Enemies, Part 2
Scriptures: John 17:14-17 Acts 1:15-22 Acts 17:10-11 Acts 18:24-28 Romans 15:1-4 Service Music Opening Selection: “Speak To My Heart” (artist: Donnie McClurkin) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RG8dknu-9FA “Word of God…… Read more “God’s Word and Contradictions: Sworn Enemies, Part 2”
Doctrine Sunday, and The Essential Church Week in Review
Praise the Lord, everybody! It’s been another blessed week here at The Essential Church, with a lot of research being done and posts being written. We pray…… Read more “Doctrine Sunday, and The Essential Church Week in Review”
A simple reordering: reconciling the fifth and seventh plagues in Exodus 9
Or consider one of my all-time favorite passages, the description of the ten plagues that Moses brought down on the heads of the Egyptians in order to…… Read more “A simple reordering: reconciling the fifth and seventh plagues in Exodus 9”
Seven or Two Pairs? Bart Ehrman on the ark animals in Genesis 7
When Noah takes the animals on the ark, does he take seven pairs of all the “clean” animals, as Genesis 7:2 states, or just two pairs, as…… Read more “Seven or Two Pairs? Bart Ehrman on the ark animals in Genesis 7”
One young man, one angel, or two angels? Bart Ehrman on the Gospel discrepancies
The same problem occurs in the accounts of Jesus’ resurrection. On the third day after Jesus’ death, the women go to the tomb to anoint his body…… Read more “One young man, one angel, or two angels? Bart Ehrman on the Gospel discrepancies”
Matthew’s wise men and Luke’s shepherds: answering the claim of contradiction
But it’s misleading to say “Matthew and Luke.” One might better say “Matthew vs. Luke,” for the Gospels bearing their names contradict each other on almost every…… Read more “Matthew’s wise men and Luke’s shepherds: answering the claim of contradiction”