Dealing with Differences in the Resurrection Stories | Discussion with Dr. Michael Licona

When we look at the gospels, their resurrection narratives agree on a number of things; and this is a point of interest, to see the common elements of various traditions. But on the other side of that, we can clearly see many differences in the accounts. What are we to make of them—are they contradictions, are they adaptations? How are we even to approach this topic, and what are the implications of our approach?

Dr. Michael Licona is an expert on this topic, with a PhD in New Testament and a book on the issue of gospel differences. In our discussion together, I offer some questions and objections: for example, did Jesus appear to people ONLY in Jerusalem (as Luke says), in Galilee (as Matthew says and Mark implies), or in both (as John says)? Dr. Licona often states that the gospel authors were at liberty to adapt stories and traditions for their literary and theological purposes. This approach has received criticism from both skeptics and Christians who say it undermines historical reliability. So we discuss these responses and more in this eight episode of The Life Discussion.


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RESOURCES

Why Are There Differences in the Gospels? What We Can Learn from Ancient Biography (book by Dr. Michael Licona) --
www.amazon.com/dp/0190264268/

The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach (book by Dr. Licona) --
www.amazon.com/dp/0830827196/

Dr. Licona's YouTube channel: @MikeLiconaOfficial

"Are the Gospels Historically Reliable?" (debate between Drs. Licona and Bart Ehrman) --
   • DEBATE: Bart Ehrman vs Mike Licona (A...  

"Did the Resurrection of Jesus Really Happen?" (7-hour debate between Drs. Licona and Ehrman) --
www.bartehrman.com/did-the-resurrection-of-jesus-really-happen-bart-ehrman-mike-licona-debate/
@bartdehrman

"Are the Gospels Reliable" (panel discussion with Drs. Bart Ehrman, Michael Licona, Craig Keener, and Rob Bowman) --
   • Mike Licona, Rob Bowman, Bart Ehrman,...  

"Resurrection Debate" (debate between Drs. Licona and Dennis MacDonald) --
   • Resurrection Debate: Mike Licona vs. ...  

"Are the Resurrection Narratives Hopelessly Contradictory?" (video by @MatthewHartke ) --
   • Are the Resurrection Narratives Hopel...  

The Mirror or the Mask: Liberating the Gospels from Literary Devices (book by Dr. Lydia McGrew written largely in response to Dr. Michael Licona, as well as Drs. Craig Keener and Craig Evans) --
www.amazon.com/dp/1947929070/
@LydiaMcGrewChannel

"Lydia McGrew Answered!" (playlist of Dr. Licona's videos made in response to Dr. McGrew) --
   • Lydia McGrew Answered!  

"Are There Contradictions in the Gospels?" (discussion with Drs. Licona and Keener) --
   • Are There Contradictions in the Gospe...