The Defenders Conference 2019 - Gospel Differences Panel Discussion

Kurt Jaros interviews speakers Mike Licona, Rob Bowman, Bart Ehrman, & Craig Keener. This panel discussion took place at the end of The Defenders Conference on October 18-19, 2019 located in the Christ Church of Oak Brook in Illinois. It is an annual event hosted by Defenders Media, geared toward equipping evangelical Christians on issues in theology, apologetics, and worldview formation. Dr. Ehrman had the opportunity to present his analysis of why there are differences in the Gospels.

The Defenders Conference discusses the differences between the Gospels. It’s undeniable. But do those differences mean the Gospels are historically unreliable? How can we reconcile these differences? Harmonize? Ancient literary devices? Is it something else? Come hear 4 different perspectives on why there are differences in the Gospels so that you can be prepared to defend your faith.

Used by permission, copyright 2019, Defenders Media. All rights reserved.

[Hoxle-]

The tragedy of it all, is that Dr Ehrman is the only scholar willing to sit with these apologists and debate them and with the fluidity of his logical explanations that you and I can understand. There was none before him and I’m afraid there will be none after him. Thank you Dr Ehrman.

[megapixels]

This, ladies and gentlemen, is a perfect example of the difference between an actual, credentialed and tenured academic scholar and expert in his field; and an apologist.

[ahmedsulemanvahed]

Bart is on level of scholarly integrity that on a different level.

[PantMal]

I love how this was basically a 3v1 and Bart Ehrman still won :P

[tmstani]

The amount of mental jujitsu these guys are going through to try to justify the historicity of the stories in the bible is astonishing.

[trybunt]

If we look at these different versions of Spiderman, we can see that they agree on multiple issues, of course there will be differences, as you always see when getting the story from two different sources, but overall it is obviously based on fact, especially when we consider the fact that New York is a real historical place, they are describing actual streets, so there is no doubt Peter Parker was a boy from Queens, living with his aunt and uncle, bitten by a radioactive spider and transformed into a superhero. That's just obvious fact.

[prisonss]

Bart you speak the truth and when you talk people should listen. Thank u

[scottbignell]

Licona: "Let's say Matthew is doing his genealogy for artistic purposes and his objective is not to do precise historical recounting..."

Sure, let's say that. But if the genealogy is not historically precise, the genealogy is not historically reliable. Easy. Every time I watch Licona in such conversations (as I have for many years now), it seems he's acknowledging more and more every year that certain historical *details* described in the gospels are not necessarily historically reliable. He just can't seem to make the next logical step and acknowledge that it is fair to describe the gospels as *historically unreliable*. He just needs to see that these details add up.

[shawndurham]

As a Christian, I wish these guys would stop. Bart destroys them every time.

[tonyvega]

Lincona: 44:30 - “if the Bible has any errors I don’t care, but I see the Bible without errors”.

This guy is no real historian. Spoken like someone deep into their cult, covering their ears saying “blah blah blah” anytime someone drops truth on him.

[HebaruSan]

At least they invited Bart. Without him this conversation would have been a complete joke.

[Bass]

Bart, you are the star on a clear dark sky. We need more scholars like you, keep up the good work.

[ZZ-lshv]

Bart Ehrman is the best and most articulated Gospel scholar that I know of...

[scottbignell]

When faced with the obvious contradictions at the end (the circumstances of Judas' death and whether or not Jesus asked the disciples to take a staff), Bowman falls into "Oh we just don't have enough information to really know". Funny how when it comes to affirming their theological beliefs, the Bible is a viewed as a beacon of reliable information! But when it comes to an obvious contradiction, oh well I guess we just don't have enough information!

[steinadleradler]

Even if jesus was present and agreed with Bart, Mike would still be like " I dont care..."

[dantesinferno]

These biblical apologist(s) are truly shameful .. Continue knocking em down Dr . E

[Ken_Scaletta]

15:15 "It depends on what you mean by 'historically reliable.'" "Historically reliable" only means one thing and the phrase itself is perfectly self-definitive.


Glad to see Ehrman harpoon the myth of "oral tradition."

[mver]

How can Joseph be Jesus' father anyway? Isn't he supposed to be born of a virgin which should 'prove' God was his father? Making the whole genealogy kinda pointless?

Researchers actually tested the oral tradition with tribes. Stories from tribes were recorded in the 20s, and when researchers came back later 50 years later, the stories had changed quite a bit.

[kakarot]

Bart Ehrman must be tired destroying their mythology over and over again

[Actuary]

You’re a good sport Dr. Ehrman. It was a 2 year process for me but your work played an integral part in my deconversion from Christianity. Thanks for all you do.