Inerrancy and the gospels : a God-centered approach to the challenges of harmonization /

Poythress, Vern S.,

Inerrancy and the gospels : a God-centered approach to the challenges of harmonization / Vern S. Poythress. - Phillipsburg, New Jersey : P&R Publishing, (c)2022. - 238 pages ; 23 cm

"Previously issued 2012 by Crossway Books."

Includes bibliographies and index.

PART ONE: THE CHALLENGE OF HARMONIZATION -- Difficulties in the Gospels -- An example: The Centurion's servant -- PART TWO: PRINCIPLES FOR HARMONIZATION -- Initial principles for harmonization -- History, theology, and artistry -- The historical claims of the Gospels -- The authority of the Gospels -- A mental-picture theory -- Truth in a Biblical worldview -- Truthfulness versus artificial precision -- Variations in writing history -- PART THREE: ATTITUDES IN HARMONIZATION -- Confidence and doubt -- Seeking God -- Limitations in human knowledge -- Intellectual suffering -- Positive purposes for difficulties -- PART FOUR: SPECIAL ISSUES IN HARMONIZATION -- The synoptic problem -- Temporal order of events -- PART FIVE: INDIVIDUAL CASES -- Cleansing the Temple -- The rejection of Jesus at Nazareth -- Cursing the fig tree -- Commissioning the twelve -- PART SIX: REPORTING SPEECHES -- Stilling the storm -- Variations in citations -- Meaning and intention -- Speech when Jesus stills the storm -- Augustine on reporting speeches -- The rich young ruler -- PART SEVEN: MORE CASES -- Raising Jairus's daughter -- Blind Bartimaeus.

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John describe the same events in different ways in their respective gospel accounts, and no responsible reader can simply sweep these differences under the rug. For serious Christians, this raises questions about biblical inerrancy. Can these books be fully trusted? Responding to the questions surrounding the gospel narratives, New Testament scholar Vern Poythress makes a strong case for inerrancy in the gospels and helps readers to understand basic principles for harmonization. He also tackles some of the most complicated exegetical problems, showing the way forward on passages that have perplexed many, such as the healing of the centurion's servant, the cursing of the fig tree, and more. All those interested in the authority of Scripture will find great encouragement and insight in the arresting case Poythress provides to stem the tide of skepticism.



9781629954721

2022005825


Bible.--Gospels--Harmonies--History and criticism.
Bible.--Gospels--Criticism, interpretation, etc.
Bible.--Gospels--Evidences, authority, etc.

BS2562 / .I547 2022