Can the Bible be in Error, Historically?

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There was a time when he was censured, yes, but no longer. Pope Benedict XVI was/is more open minded…
I don’t know why you believe that the censure has been lifted. It has not. Are you suggesting that the Pope believed that there was no infallibility and suicide is o.k. It is more than likely that the Pope helped in the censure.
 
Well, someone has tried to harmonize the stories in Matthew and Luke here:

tektonics.org/af/birthnarr.php

I did not read it all, as I have to get aback to my class, but I saw he used Catholic sources.

I still believe the most likely candidate is Nazareth, and so does the professor I asked, but in the end, I don’t think it matters where Jesus was born. I think what matters is that he was resurrected, the only person to have ever been. He is the Second Person of the Holy Trinity. I will say that Bethlehem is the only data there is, implausible as I, myself, find the nativities.

You don’t have to try to prove Bethlehem to me. If it is Bethlehem, it is Bethlehem. If is Nazareth, it is Nazareth. He is Christ either way.
If you can’t believe scripture on where Jesus was born, how can you believe it when it says Jesus rose from the dead. You know that wasn’t necessary to our salvation only His death but you can’t rely on scripture for that either.
 
Thanks for explaining, Lily, and the apology. I can overstate things too when I am tired.
As for Scott Hahn, I just don’t care for his work, but I see nothing wrong with him as a person. I think he’s honest and loves the Church, and he’s probably a good teacher. I just don’t like his books, but that’s fine. No one can please everyone, and Scott Hahn can do without me as a reader. He has enough as it is. I’m sure he has enriched the lives of many, and that’s good. I’m just not one, and as I said, that’s fine, too. I don’t think any of the professors at my school are jealous of Scott Hahn. Some could write if they wanted to. Some have written scholarly textbooks. They seem happy enough teaching, and jealousy is not something a theologian cultivates. I know you know that.😉
As to the jealousy… theologians aren’t immune to human nature… and I can see how a young upstart getting a whole lot of attention, and esteem, for new ideas - or a cogent fleshing-out of old ideas - would be a cause for an undercurrent of jealousy, leading to derogatory statements. And those things have influence on us. Sort of like when I was Evangelical Protestant, and all the mentions of Catholics and their beliefs were derogatory. It was natural for me to assume that Catholicism was not anything to investigate with such an overwhelming consensus of opinion that Catholicism was riddled with error. So I was influenced* not *by good arguments against Catholicism, but instead, by CONSTANT undercurrent of opinion that it was definitely wrong. When you hear it everywhere, you figure it must be true. And there were so many other GREAT places to learn about God and Christianity that were not derided, who needed Catholicism?

In a way, you may have experienced the same sort of thing, if there was any undercurrent of sidelining Hahn’s work in favor of the classic greats. You might in fact be surprised if you read Hahn’s work at what you missed by passing it over.

Scott Hahn will always hold a dear place in my heart, because from a place of being perfectly satisfied with my place in Christianity (what more could yuou ever need than Jesus and your Bible?), I stumbled on his and his wife’s book, Rome Sweet Home, and, thinking his arguments would certainly be easy enough to dismiss, I was instead presented with unwelcome, really cogent arguments for Catholicism. It was really unsettling, as I loved my faith-alone, Bible-alone Christianity, and my dear church community. I wanted very much to have not read what I had just read, since I could not get it out of my mind. I eventually took his challenge and read (parts of) Boettner’s book and all of Karl Keating’s Catholicism and Fundamentalism, which led me to Catholic truth, which is where I had to go (just a little bit reluctantly at first!).

I don’t think any of my professors and colleagues consider themselves the “be all and end all” authority. Some of them know an awful lot, but they don’t flaunt it or hesitate to say so when they don’t know. I can tell you from experience that the more you learn, the more you feel you still have to learn. Theology brings up a lot of questions, and I’m pleased to have those theologians kind of give me a jumping off place in thinking. Sometimes their radical thought causes one to see the more traditional is the only thing that can be. Not always, but sometimes.
Well, they don’t sound like a bad lot! 🙂
 
Scott Hahn will always hold a dear place in my heart, because from a place of being perfectly satisfied with my place in Christianity (what more could yuou ever need than Jesus and your Bible?), I stumbled on his and his wife’s book, Rome Sweet Home, and, thinking his arguments would certainly be easy enough to dismiss, I was instead presented with unwelcome, really cogent arguments for Catholicism. It was really unsettling, as I loved my faith-alone, Bible-alone Christianity, and my dear church community. I wanted very much to have not read what I had just read, since I could not get it out of my mind. I eventually took his challenge and read (parts of) Boettner’s book and all of Karl Keating’s Catholicism and Fundamentalism, which led me to Catholic truth, which is where I had to go (just a little bit reluctantly at first!).

Well, they don’t sound like a bad lot! 🙂
Nice Eliza I love hearing conversion stories which started with my father. Everyone at my parish loves Scott. I love hearing about him. I love hearing him speak. I haven’t got into his books. I am struggling with Warren Carroll’s history books. “To be deep in history is to cease to be Protestant” that was true with Carroll as his studies in history converted him.
 
If you can’t believe scripture on where Jesus was born, how can you believe it when it says Jesus rose from the dead. You know that wasn’t necessary to our salvation only His death but you can’t rely on scripture for that either.
This makes sense, and I agree. To me, the Nazareth-birth theory is a faith-killer. Also to others, like Jews expecting the prophesied Messiah born in Bethlehem. Jesus born in Nazareth would be all the proof they need to say He is not the Messiah, i.e. Which is a good reason to believe the Word on this. So naturally, you and I and most other faithful Christians agree Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea. The House of Bread. 🙂

So even though its somewhat disconcerting to us that a Catholic associate professor of theology would subscribe to a Nazareth birth (also bearing in mind that teachers of the Word are judged by God at a higher standard:eek:), in the order of things, if Lily says that it does not affect her faith, then, this is acceptable.

To me, this is akin to those who believe that God did not create animals and then create man, but instead, He created animals that evolved into men all by themselves. (Or, bits of molecules that turned into people by themselves). No. God made one man, Adam, and one woman, Eve, and we ALL came from those two. However, some want to believe that Adam and Eve is a Biblical “fable” and they believe that animal-people evolution claptrap.:ehh:

Not me!

But its okay, if they want to believe that, basically, says Holy Mother Church. I guess she is thinking that the bottom line this issue is not worth making any Dogma on. I think in Her wisdom, She just wants to dispose of the endless arguments that are caused by these theories, to get people onto what really matters, instead. So even if She knows the truth on that matter, she’s not telling.:cool:
 
Nice Eliza I love hearing conversion stories which started with my father.
Glad you like it! I love conversion stories, too! Or any story of how God worked in people’s lives. He is the perfect Teacher, the perfect Lover, and I love to see the different ways He works in different people!

“started with my own father” - your father had a conversion?
Everyone at my parish loves Scott. I love hearing about him. I love hearing him speak.
It must be a good parish! You said you were happy at it. 🙂
I haven’t got into his books. I am struggling with Warren Carroll’s history books. “To be deep in history is to cease to be Protestant” that was true with Carroll as his studies in history converted him.
Well Rome Sweet Home is a very interesting start and a quick read. I also happened to read and recommend First Comes Love and The Lamb’s Supper. But I don’t think I have ever read anything he wrote or listened to him speak without feeling like my mind was expanded (and raised).

Good for you for reading Warren Carroll. I would like to read him someday. When I was converting, I wanted to read some of everything Catholic. That being a tall order, I shortcutted in the history department, reading only Alan Schreck’s The Compact History Of The Catholic Church! But it was worth reading and a good overview. Very eye-opening for me.

For edification, having sung praises of the Anglican prayers in an earlier post, I want to share one. I mentioned to my husband last night that my body was complaining because of “things I have done, and things I have failed to do”, and he laughed, responding with: “…* we have left undone those things which we ought to have done, and we have done those things which we ought not to have done; and there is no health in us…”* That comes from this prayer - a good day-starter!:
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Anglican Confession for Morning Prayer

Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep, we have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts, we have offended against thy holy laws, we have left undone those things which we ought to have done, and we have done those things which we ought not to have done; and there is no health in us. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. Spare thou them, O God, which confess their faults. Restore thou them that are penitent; According to thy promises declared unto mankind in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake, That we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, To the glory of thy holy Name. Amen.

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“started with my own father” - your father had a conversion?"
Yes! It was in the thirties when he noticed his neighbor no matter what the weather walked to Church. I do not know how far but I take it was miles. It so impressed him that he converted.

What a beautiful prayer.
 
Yes! It was in the thirties when he noticed his neighbor no matter what the weather walked to Church. I do not know how far but I take it was miles. It so impressed him that he converted.
That is edifying to hear of. A silent but powerful witness. 🙂
What a beautiful prayer.
Yes. And I think I will post it on the fridge, or in my bathroom…
 
That is edifying to hear of. A silent but powerful witness. 🙂

Yes. And I think I will post it on the fridge, or in my bathroom…
Me Too!

As I was trying to look up another matter, I ran across these articles
The 100-Year Old Mistake About the Birth of Jesus
Did Herod the “Great” Really Die In 4 B.C.?
Does Luke Contradict Himself on When Jesus Was Born?
If the reasoning in these articles are sound then the census debate has opened wide up.

I haven’t time to read each of the articles but I will in the weeks to come.
 
Me Too!

As I was trying to look up another matter, I ran across these articles
The 100-Year Old Mistake About the Birth of Jesus
Did Herod the “Great” Really Die In 4 B.C.?
Does Luke Contradict Himself on When Jesus Was Born?
If the reasoning in these articles are sound then the census debate has opened wide up.

I haven’t time to read each of the articles but I will in the weeks to come.
Jesus was born on the 25th of December, or (Chislev or Kislev), during the Feast of the Lights" (Chanukah or Ḥanukah). A feast celebrated with lights in those days as we celebrate it today with lights. And not one is going to convince me otherwise. :cool:

(And since Holy Mother the Church says its fine if you want to believe he was born on your birthday, or your Mom’s, or any other time, I am not going to agrue it with anyone!).😃
 
Thanks for explaining, Lily, and the apology. I can overstate things too when I am tired.

As to the jealousy… theologians aren’t immune to human nature… and I can see how a young upstart getting a whole lot of attention, and esteem, for new ideas - or a cogent fleshing-out of old ideas - would be a cause for an undercurrent of jealousy, leading to derogatory statements. And those things have influence on us. Sort of like when I was Evangelical Protestant, and all the mentions of Catholics and their beliefs were derogatory. It was natural for me to assume that Catholicism was not anything to investigate with such an overwhelming consensus of opinion that Catholicism was riddled with error. So I was influenced* not *by good arguments against Catholicism, but instead, by CONSTANT undercurrent of opinion that it was definitely wrong. When you hear it everywhere, you figure it must be true. And there were so many other GREAT places to learn about God and Christianity that were not derided, who needed Catholicism?

In a way, you may have experienced the same sort of thing, if there was any undercurrent of sidelining Hahn’s work in favor of the classic greats. You might in fact be surprised if you read Hahn’s work at what you missed by passing it over.

Scott Hahn will always hold a dear place in my heart, because from a place of being perfectly satisfied with my place in Christianity (what more could yuou ever need than Jesus and your Bible?), I stumbled on his and his wife’s book, Rome Sweet Home, and, thinking his arguments would certainly be easy enough to dismiss, I was instead presented with unwelcome, really cogent arguments for Catholicism. It was really unsettling, as I loved my faith-alone, Bible-alone Christianity, and my dear church community. I wanted very much to have not read what I had just read, since I could not get it out of my mind. I eventually took his challenge and read (parts of) Boettner’s book and all of Karl Keating’s Catholicism and Fundamentalism, which led me to Catholic truth, which is where I had to go (just a little bit reluctantly at first!).

Well, they don’t sound like a bad lot! 🙂
I have read some of Hahn’s work. It’s in line with Church teaching. He’s just not my cup of tea, I guess, but that doesn’t mean he’s not the right cup of tea for many others. I think it’s lovely that he and his work hold a dear place in your heart. I have authors like that, too. Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, and Meister Eckhart. Moving forward a little, Thomas Merton’s earlier books before he became so enamored of Eastern religions. I know a lot of people who can’t stand Thomas Merton, though, even his early work, which was very orthodox.

I have to admit, I have not read Karl Keating’s books, but I have read Thomas Keating. It’s good he Karl Keating led you to the Catholic Church. 🙂
 
If you can’t believe scripture on where Jesus was born, how can you believe it when it says Jesus rose from the dead. You know that wasn’t necessary to our salvation only His death but you can’t rely on scripture for that either.
That’s a valid question, adrift.

I believe in Jesus resurrection from the dead primarily because of the changed life of the apostles. Prior to Jesus’ crucifixion they went into hiding because they were afraid of being arrested, too. Only the “beloved disciple” stood at the foot of the cross. Peter even denied knowing Jesus, as I’m sure you know. But after Jesus’ resurrection, the apostles not only came out of hiding, they began to do what Jesus had commanded. They preached the gospel whenever and wherever they could. Most were martyred for doing so, but they didn’t hid or back away as they had done after Jesus’ arrest.

To me, the changed life of the apostles is the Bible’s most convincing argument for Jesus’ resurrection. The empty tomb, by itself, proves nothing. The word of women was not accepted in first century Palestine. Those who say the apostles made up the resurrection need to be reminded that had they done so, they would have made up a more convincing story, beginning with the fact that women were simply not reliable witnesses in first century Palestine. And, had Jesus not been resurrected, I’m sure the Romans would have produced his body to prove to everyone the apostles were lying.

Mostly I believe in the resurrection of Christ because I know him. Growing up in a monastery with nuns as I did, I had to spend hours a day in prayer, even after I started school. Thirteen years there, then a Catholic university, etc. Hours and hours spent in prayer and contemplation cultivating a personal relationship with Christ. I still get up at three or four to pray. And, of course, I have much more work to do on getting to know Christ. We all do. But I can say with assurance, “I know him.” I know him well enough to know he did live, he was crucified, and he was resurrected. You might have seen one of my posts where I said I obtained an MFA in Drama first, and an MA in French. I was pursuing an MA in Literature when Christ brought me to theology, and I’ve never looked back, never regretted it. A theophany can do amazing things to a person.

And I do not know that Bethlehem is not his birthplace. I just have my doubts. It is really not important to me where he was born. It is in the sense that when you love someone you want to know everything about him or her, but in the grand scheme of things, whether he was born in Bethlehem or Nazareth doesn’t matter to me like his resurrection matters to me. If others want to say he was born on December 25th in Bethlehem of Judea, I’m not going to try to change their belief. I’ll discuss it if asked, but if they aren’t interested, I’ll drop it. And, maybe he was born in Bethlehem.

There are a lot of persons out there, I know, who would love to prove Christianity wrong right now. I’m definitely not one of those persons. I’m on the other side, wanting to prove it right.
 
That’s a valid question, adrift.

I believe in Jesus resurrection from the dead primarily because of the changed life of the apostles. Prior to Jesus’ crucifixion they went into hiding because they were afraid of being arrested, too. Only the “beloved disciple” stood at the foot of the cross. Peter even denied knowing Jesus, as I’m sure you know. But after Jesus’ resurrection, the apostles not only came out of hiding, they began to do what Jesus had commanded. They preached the gospel whenever and wherever they could. Most were martyred for doing so, but they didn’t hid or back away as they had done after Jesus’ arrest.

To me, the changed life of the apostles is the Bible’s most convincing argument for Jesus’ resurrection. The empty tomb, by itself, proves nothing. The word of women was not accepted in first century Palestine. Those who say the apostles made up the resurrection need to be reminded that had they done so, they would have made up a more convincing story, beginning with the fact that women were simply not reliable witnesses in first century Palestine. And, had Jesus not been resurrected, I’m sure the Romans would have produced his body to prove to everyone the apostles were lying.

Mostly I believe in the resurrection of Christ because I know him. Growing up in a monastery with nuns as I did, I had to spend hours a day in prayer, even after I started school. Thirteen years there, then a Catholic university, etc. Hours and hours spent in prayer and contemplation cultivating a personal relationship with Christ. I still get up at three or four to pray. And, of course, I have much more work to do on getting to know Christ. We all do. But I can say with assurance, “I know him.” I know him well enough to know he did live, he was crucified, and he was resurrected. You might have seen one of my posts where I said I obtained an MFA in Drama first, and an MA in French. I was pursuing an MA in Literature when Christ brought me to theology, and I’ve never looked back, never regretted it. A theophany can do amazing things to a person.

And I do not know that Bethlehem is not his birthplace. I just have my doubts. It is really not important to me where he was born. It is in the sense that when you love someone you want to know everything about him or her, but in the grand scheme of things, whether he was born in Bethlehem or Nazareth doesn’t matter to me like his resurrection matters to me. If others want to say he was born on December 25th in Bethlehem of Judea, I’m not going to try to change their belief. I’ll discuss it if asked, but if they aren’t interested, I’ll drop it. And, maybe he was born in Bethlehem.

There are a lot of persons out there, I know, who would love to prove Christianity wrong right now. I’m definitely not one of those persons. I’m on the other side, wanting to prove it right.
I would agree with you on the change in the apostles but again I have to trust the scriptures.
 
There are a lot of persons out there, I know, who would love to prove Christianity wrong right now. I’m definitely not one of those persons. I’m on the other side, wanting to prove it right.
They not only want to prove it wrong, they mock it and using ridiculous logic, make fun of believers calling us names not worth repeating here. The first step they do is to cast doubt. Some of us, whose faith may not be as strong would be lead astray by their logic. For us silence is not a good defense if we are trying to prevent potential lost sheep. How do they do that?

Firstly they try to portray an incompetent god. A god not worthy of worship via the existence of evil argument. Secondly, they cast doubt on the trustworthiness of the Bible, finding potential faults, omissions and potential contradictions and trying to demolish our inerrancy foundation. Thirdly, they cast doubt on the legitimacy of the Church by historical poor practices and evil clergy. Fourthly, they try to divide and conquer via argument of the many thousands of denominations and varying practices. Fifthly, they cast doubt on the existence of god via many methods. Sixthly, they appeal to one’s ego not to bow to anyone. Be in charge of your own destiny! You are smart enough not to listen to this voodoo/magic/miracle stuff. Demand proof! You are an educated person, behave like one etc

There are probably more attack venues. But these are at the top of my head. For those people, conversion is not on my priority list. That is the job of the Holy Spirit. With the little knowledge I have, if my faith or fellow brothers and sisters are under attack, I try to buy some time so that I can appeal to my more knowledgeable brothers/sisters to bolster our defenses. The philosophical side is the toughest for me, the syntax and language used in such arguments are beyond me. Sometimes I think they try to use big words to cow those uninitiated in their world.

I visit William Craig’s website to get my dose of philosophy defenses from time to time though. I wish there are catholic websites similar to that of William Craig but they seems to elude me.
 
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