Do you think whatever is written in the Gospel is the unquestionable truth?

India
June 15, 2010 9:47am CST
In Gospel according to Matthew it is written, "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him." Matthew 24:42. Further, at Luke 21:27 it is written, "At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory." We say whatever is written in the Gospel is the unquestionable truth. While Matthew says that Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him, but Luke says that all would see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and glory. One of them is clearly trying to mislead us. Who among these two is not telling us the truth?
4 people like this
17 responses
• Philippines
15 Jun 10
Yes,,,But not all written is meant literally. Let me chop the passage... On the first statement, Therefore keep watch, because you do not know what day your Lord will come, It means that you have to watch your actions and speech that you may not sin against God. On the second statement, it means that the Lord will come like a thief in the night. But it doesn't mean that God will come on the evening... He may come in daytime, noontime and anytime of the day. But we do not know when. In Luje 21:27, it means that WHEN that time comes, we will see Him as He will in the cloud with His archangel with power and glory. They are telling the truth...Matthews says a warning that the Lord will come but He don't know the definite time while Luke says about the EVENT. What will b happening when will comes. It is all written in the book of Revelation to compensate all the statement of the two disciples. So, therefore for me, the bible is consistent. It is telling the truth. It is the word of God. I don't want to question the knowledge of God.
• United States
15 Jun 10
Very well put. I don't think I could have done any better.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
3 Jul 10
Very well said! People who can say that are annointed by God and really sold out for him 100%. May God continue to bless you may his presence be with you and to your next generations to come. God bless.
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
16 Jun 10
I was not around when the Bible was compiled so I have no idea as to its accuracy. I do believe though that the contents of the Bible are opened to interpretation meaning that two people can read the same passage and construe different connotations from it. The Bible, in my opinion, is a very precious book that can be of great comfort to people and the way it is understood is entirely personal.
1 person likes this
• United States
15 Jun 10
I personally think every word is meant to mislead. I don't believe in the gospel at all. I think it is a collection of fables meant to teach people how to be good human beings, not a book of true stories. Don't get me wrong, some of the stories are pretty interesting and most teach good morals, but I just do not believe they are truth or "word of God" or anythign of the sort.
1 person likes this
• India
1 Jul 10
I will not dig much deeper about those two statements. it doesn't matter how the two authors of gospels see it and mislead the believers. many christians are waiting for the second coming of jesus christ. If one reads - Mathew 24:34 I assure you that all these things will happen while some of the people of this time are still living. this statement of jesus is very clear that it should have happened within a generation of that particular time period. that means within 30-40 years time period when jesus spoke these words. the time span for the end time has gone and it did not happen. this is what happens when ignorant and unenlightened people write and start to interpret them to suit their vested interests. religion and god is not be about predictions and miracles. It should have been about TRUTH. what is MISSING in gospels or bible is emphasis on Truth.
• India
1 Jul 10
Any explanation on TRUTH in the Bible to those who know nothing themselves about their own religion would be an exercise in futility. What explanation you have for birth of Lord Ganesha why his father had to chop off his head and put elephant's head instead? Further, did Pandava's mother have s^e^x with all those Gods to conceive them? I am not making fun of your scriptures. I am telling you all this because I know the answer to all these mysteries. Before you make fun of others religion you must know your religion well.
• India
2 Jul 10
achilles2010, you cant digest what jesus said in Mathew 24:34. the only way left for you is to deviate from the topic and bring in another topic. that way you are not doing any justice to the discussiion initiated by you. If you think I am making fun of bible, then you are mistaken. just as you wanted to know who is telling the truth between Mathew and Luke, I just pointed out something which most people refuse to look into, because it is very uncomfortable. What relevance is there for those two statements in Mathew and Luke which you mentioned, if Mathew 24:34 has not happened. What I need to know about MYSELF is more important than religion. That I know very well.
@srjac0902 (1170)
• Italy
15 Jun 10
To speak of Bible is not6 easy. It's a book of faith and not human reasoning alone. You must know the canon of interpretation. There are so many similarities and the similarities and similarities in the similarities. When you interpret the Bible you must refer to the interpretation of the Holy Church. Bible is not for argument , it is unique, it is an expression of faith which is expressed in allegory, metaphor simile and hyperbole. It is a fruit of oral tradition transmitted through the ages and put in written form, translated and interpreted. I am not a scholar but what I wish to say is the Bible is the great book it is unique, it goes beyond the human reasoning
1 person likes this
• Philippines
3 Jul 10
Hey! Everything written in the Bible do not contradict one another, and Bible does not tell lies, and the Bible is the very word of God and you cannot separate it from him. You should pray first before you read it and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you so God can give you wisdom to discern things that he wants you to understand. The two passages above do not tell lies nor contradict one another, it is true that no one knows when is that great day will come, but there will be signs but stills no one knows when will be that day. I pray that God will guide you as you seek his instructions, ways and his true being. There is no other God like him. And no man will die without knowing him but if that man rebuke and does not pay attention to his words and do not believe in his son Jesus Christ will perish for eternity. God Bless you and in Jesus mighty name and by the power of his blood who saves us from our own sin may protect and correct you in everything that you will do so you'll have a part take of salvation when he comes and your whole generation. God bless.
• India
3 Jul 10
I bought up this discussion here to invite a discussion and not for the reason you mentioned or because I do not know the truth. I think like everyone else you too believe Jesus would come on the clouds and every eye would see him. There are many who think that a 'Pillar of cloud' by day and 'Pillar of fire' by night was leading Israelite in the desert. When I read the bible I omit the passages which are written merely to breathe magic into mystery.
• Philippines
3 Jul 10
GOD IS THE BEST and WILL BE PRAISED FOREVER! His WORDS are ALIVE and will never perish and can rebuke, correct and teach people to live the way as CHRISTIANS should be! I love God he is the best!
• United States
21 Jun 10
Hello achilles, I believe the two are the same, Matthew 24:42 we do not know when Jesus will return, we know he will return and we know to watch for him and to be ready! Jesus return is well described from Matthew 24:1- 25:46 I don't think you can pick out just a few verses as these 2 chapters cover and describe his return. Luke 21:5-36 also describe the return. I think what Luke is telling us is that when Jesus returns, we WILL see him, even if it is in the middle of the night because I believe when he returns it will as bright as noonday sun even in the middle of the night! Rev 1:7 says "Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him" I do not think we need to be concerned with when Jesus returns. I think what we need to be concerned and Jesus has said it over and over in these verses and that is that we need to "be ready" and how do we be ready for his return? We have to be born again! return to John 3:3-6 and "be born again!" I believe we need to follow the salvation road. Admit we have sinned (for all have sinned Romans 3:23,5:12) Ask forgiveness of sin confess (Acts 2:21 1John 1:9) We have to Believe, have faith (1 Peter 1:8, Romans 10:17) We have to make the choice Revelation 3:20 and after we accept him we have to continue to live in him 1John 2:28 1John3:9-10 These scriptures are clear that we must CONTINUE TO LIVE IN JESUS. It is a choice everyday! Revelation 21:27 makes it very clear that no sin will enter heaven! So it doesn't matter WHEN Jesus comes or HOW he comes what really matters is that WE ARE READY!
@Ravenladyj (22904)
• United States
15 Jun 10
I'm a non-Christian (though I was one long ago) so to me NOTHING in the bible is unquestionable truth...More than that though, I personally think that ALL truth should be quesitoned..Question everything IMO...But when it comes to the bible none of it is "true" (as in literal, without a shadow of a doubt truth)...I guess to some though it most likely is but that IMO is where trouble begins..
• India
15 Jun 10
Both couldn't be wrong otherwise the whole book of bible would be a book of lies. Only one between the two is wrong. However, thanks for your response.
@Galena (9110)
15 Jun 10
not at all. nothing in this universe is unquestionable, how else do we keep learning. just looking at the names of the gospels, they were written by men, and all people have their own agenda. and just because something is in the bible doesn't mean it's true. it's a book. written, edited and published by mankind. there may be some truths in it, but it should never be followed blindly. but then I don't follow it at all.
• Philippines
3 Jul 10
Hi Galena, hope you'll try to follow it because if your life is better right now it will be the best after you experience God's ways in your life. I pray God bless you with more understanding, patience and love that you can share to more people, and may your smile be a blessing and gives hope to others. God bless you and have a sun shiny day everyday of your life.
@kiran8 (15348)
• Mangalore, India
18 Jun 10
Hi achilles, I am a Hindu and a non believer.I don't believe in either god or religion, so as far as I am concerned they don't really matter.Having said that I feel that every religion is based on humanity and a path of righteousness which does matter in life.We cannot get away from our conscience.We need to fine tune our children into being good socially responsible human beings .I feel that there are too many unwanted things in all religious scriptures which has no base nor proof...That is of course strictly my feelings - all the best and have a great weekend
@jlydsnr (122)
• United States
15 Jun 10
To me not every word in the Bible is completely true due to the fact that Human has had their hand in rewording it to make them less accountable for what they have done. But I do believe that the Bible is a guideline in which we are suppose to take it as The Creator puts in our minds. We are all individuals and God himself speaks to us in different thoughts to see how we accept and respect one another on views or if we just completely say the other person is wrong and look down on them. No one knows when Jesus' return will be but we will see and know him when he arrives. Don't let the Bible (or Satan) confuse you, if God doesn't want you to understand something when you read it. It's just not ment to be understood at that time. Try again in a few months or the next year. Every time I read the Bible I get a different view of what something means because I myself as a believer of God has grown with him and his path for me has changed.
• India
15 Jun 10
Believe me it is not Satan who is confusing me but translators of the bible have confused you by altering what Luke had said. What Luke said is at gross variance with what Jesus himself had to say about his second coming. Please read the passage at Matthew 24:3:36. "You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8All these are the beginning of birth pains." Matthew 24:6:8. Further it is written, "19How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! 20Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. 21For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again." Matthew 24: 19:21. Then again it is written, ""Immediately after the distress of those days ”‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.' 30"At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky and all the nations of the earth will mourn." It means that Jesus would come on the clouds of gloom. This is what Mathew and Luke were both trying to say. Custodians of religions have translated and said, Jesus would come on the clouds to inspire awe and wonder. Religions thrive on mysteries and miracles. They can draw people only when they fire their imagination. When Jesus comes, again it would not be a happier time. Matthew and Luke both spoke the truth but the translators distorted the truth Luke stated to add magic to mystery.
1 person likes this
@sender621 (14894)
• United States
16 Jun 10
The Gospel is the written truth. It is the life and rhe way. We can not call ourselvess Christian if we question the written word. The Gospel is the undenable truth and we must believe in it.
@elvieb02 (695)
• Philippines
16 Jun 10
Whatever written in the Gospel is written by a man who has a deepest belief. Since it was written by a man, the accuracy and truthfulness of it is always questionable. Whatever written in any religious script should not be interpreted in a manner that will be harmful to the mankind. Those people who wrote them just only want to scribe their faith.
• Philippines
2 Jul 10
None of them is trying to mislead us. I believe what is written in the bible is questionable. If we are well versed in the bible, we will understand that there is no contradiction after all.
• India
16 Jun 10
In mark, we can see that the disciples asked Jesus about the signs and he described about the signs and then told them that when these things happen, the end of this wicked system of things will come through Christ. In Matthew, Jesus tells that the exact day or date isn't known to any1 except God himself, but to keep on watch. So the difference in both the texts is that in One, the signs of the end of days is predicted, where as the other says that the time period of how long those signs will continue isn't known and the day when Jesus comes down isn't known as yet.
@bird123 (10632)
• United States
16 Jun 10
You are wise because you question. The bible was written by man. It doesn't all add up.
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
16 Jun 10
achilles, there is no conflict in the two statements. Matthew was talking metaphorically about the time in our life when we are least ready to meet the Lord again. And Luke, my favorite evangelist, is definitely being the descriptive writer that he is. Both are telling the truth. No one is misleading...