I have a question. There are parts of the bible that have just Jesus in it, doing things alone. What I'm wondering is, how did it get into the bible, if no one witnessed the occurrance? Like when Jesus was in the desert being tempted, he was alone. Did he later go and brag to his disciples about how he totally beat the devil at his own game? Or when he was praying in the garden, all the disciples were asleep, how do they know what he said in his prayer? He certainly didn't have time to tell them because he was arrested and taken away. These are just a few instances I can think of right now; i'm sure there's more. But it doesn't make sense that they are the true words of Jesus if no one saw them and there's no mention of him telling the others, and in some cases where it's impossible.
Are you talking on an author by author basis or by which events per author? Sorry, I know that sounds cofusing. Do you mean for example the book of Matthew or the things in the book of Matthew?
I really like your threads Brandon, just thought I'd say that. To be honest, I really don't know, and I've never really thought about it before. I guess the simple answer would be somethign along "Well the Holy Spirit helped the writers", but even I find that as a bit of a cop out.
I've always wondered that myself. I think the only way you can really have an answer is to have faith and believe that the words written therein are truley the word of God. It's not always that easy though.
It was more directed at B actually and I agree with Burbot. He's a very insightful guy. I know the scriptures themselves were put together by different scholars at different point and times. http://www.anabaptists.org/history/howwegot.html This gives a pretty good history on the who's, what's, when's and why's. Oh, and Fed Up hope your cocker is okay and please don't intend your boners for me!
I've thought of this before. I'm not trying to be facile here, but there could be a very simple explanation - ie Jesus could have told them what he did on these occaisions after his resurrection. But a more 'orthodox' line would be that it was revealed by the spirit.
Yeah, that could be. There is like 40 days or so when Jesus was Ressurected and the only thing I can remember from the gospels is that he suprised them a couple of times and appeared on the Sea of Galilee. It is quite possible he told them everything else after he returned. I am reminded of when Jesus said that everything that was hidden will be revealed (could these things be what he was refering to)
Yes - and also at the end of St.John's gospel, it is said Jesus did many things not recorded anywhere - too many to record. I'm not saying of course, that this is the solution definitely - but it does seem reasonably possible. I think whan Jesus said 'all will be revealed' He meant many things. This could be one such. But that saying goes very deep.
I'm sorry you have to go through that Fed. Oh, and I'm sorry about the last post but I couldn't resist the pun!
Like Burby said, it's a cop out. I mean, that's tantamount to saying "shut up and just believe it. Don't question my (bible's) Authority!" However, I forgot, dumbly, about the post-resurrection period, though it does seem odd that Jesus would think it important to tell him what he said while praying that night; I mean, it doesn't seem like something that would come up, it's not like a moral teaching or really useful information at all. Possible though. of course, you first have to buy into the whole resurrection...
Maybe 'Jesus' is simply the name given to the archetype, possibly by John the Baptist. Andrew and Simon were originally disciples of John the Baptist, and in philosophical discussions come to conclusions they embody in a fictional Christ character.
