Bible Quote by Bart D. Ehrman
““As we will see, there are lots of other discrepancies in the New Testament, some of them far more difficult to reconcile (virtually impossible, I would say) than these simple examples. Not only are there discrepancies among different books of the Bible, but there are also inconsistencies within some of the books, a problem that historical critics have long ascribed to the fact that Gospel writers used different sources for their accounts, and sometimes these sources, when spliced together, stood at odds with one another.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Misquoting Jesus by Bart D. Ehrman, 2005
The New Testament contains many contradictions, some easy to explain, others seemingly impossible, due to varied source material and editorial choices.
In simple terms: The Bible has many contradictions because writers used different sources.
Key Takeaway
Recognize source diversity when studying ancient texts.
Themes
biblical criticism
historical analysis
source studies
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
scholarly
academic
When to use this quote
- theological study
- academic research
- interfaith dialogue
Key Concepts
textual criticism
canon formation
historical method
Questions to Reflect On
- How do source differences shape religious belief?
- Can contradictions coexist with faith?
A Different Perspective
Contradictions may reflect theological intent rather than factual error.
