Hi Alphonse,quote: Originally Posted by Alphonse:Seems like a bit of a stretch to me. I've read Mark, The Illiad, and The Odyssey. Never once did I think they were similar, not even close. Thinking about it, if anything I would have compared Jesus to Hector, not Odysseus. In the end both knew they were going to die, but both went willingly.
Both had to die for the sins or others: Jesus for everyone, Hector for his brother Paris. Hector was the son of the king, Jesus the Son of God. There are probably others, but lots of differences also. Hector was a killer and could be vain, Jesus was the opposite.
Also, don't forget about the Book Of John. It contains a lot of material not found in the other three Gospels.
Yet, there is a very large difference between the characters in The Illiad, and The Odyssey and those in the Gospels. There is no question that characters in the first two are fictional. Yet, the character, Jesus Christ, and those with whom He interacted in the Gospels, is far from fictional. And, this is validated, not only in religious writings, but in secular historical writings.
And, it is true that all four Gospels differ to some degree -- for they were written for different audiences and to serve different purposes. Matthew was written for the Jewish audience and basically said to the Jews, "Behold your King!" Mark was also written for the Jewish audience and said to them, "Behold the Servant Son!"
This is why Matthew has the genealogy of Jesus and shows His genealogy starting with Abraham and proceeding forward to Jesus, as was the Jewish custom.
And, Mark showing Jesus as the Suffering Servant who came to die for us -- gives no genealogy, for the Jews did not concern themselves with the genealogies of servants.
Luke, being the only Gentile writer in the Gospels, wrote his Gospel for the Gentile audience, declaring, "Behold the Perfect Man." In his Gospel we do see a genealogy, but, done in the Gentile manner, starting with Jesus and looking backward as we do today: From Jesus back through His earthly ancestors, all the way to Adam and God.
The first three Gospels are called the Synoptic Gospels for they do include a lot of the same events and material. The Gospel of John is different for John was concerned more with showing the the deity of Jesus Christ. That is why it begins, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1). Actually, that last phrase, "and the Word was God" when read in the Greek language says, "and God was the Word" -- which is the true sense of the deity of Christ. He was and is God; God the Son.
Why four Gospels? For the same reason we do not have only one sports reporter at the Alabama-Auburn games. More writers gives us different perspectives of the same event. In the Gospels, one wrote more about the parables, another emphasized His miracles and signs, etc. Put them all together and we get a more complete understanding of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and His purpose for coming to earth in the form of man.
Our atheist Friends have to denigrate God, Jesus Christ, and the Bible -- for if they weakened and admitted that, down deep, they really know God to be real, they have a problem. Admitting that God exists -- means that, in some way, to some degree, they owe Him, the Creator, allegiance.
By denying His existence -- they can declare themselves to be their own gods -- and Relativism to be their religious theology. But, like all true stories where we already know the ending -- one day they will not be able to deny Him. Then comes the time to pay the piper!
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill