BibleThinker

I almost gave up trying to resolve this supposed "contradiction" between Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Was Jesus anointed with oil/perfume once, twice or three times? Is there error in the Gospels about this? This is a rather complicated set of problems that will take time to unpack. In my study this week I searched and searched and could not find a satisfactory answer; and I'm not really ok with half-answers, so I was about to give up on the issue when I set aside all my resources and just worked with the texts themselves. Now I think I understand a very plausible explanation for the differences and similarities in the four Gospels on this issue. Today is all about apologetics! I'll be answering a lot of the following questions. If Luke is a separate account that happened at a different time and place how do we explain the similarities between his account and those in Mt, Mk and John? Like the other Gospels, Luke records a woman anointing Jesus, using fragrance from an alabaster flask and the name of the home owner being "Simon". Even if Luke is a separate account we have questions about how John can be harmonized with Matt and Mark. Critics claim that John has this event happening 6 days before Passover while Mark and Matt have it happening 2 days before Passover. They say that John has this happening at the home of Lazarus while Mark and Matt have it happening at the home of Simon the Leper. Yet these three accounts seem too similar to say it happened twice in such a short period of time. This puzzle had me confused for a time, and when I looked up resources from other people who tried to figure out a good solution I found myself bothered even more. The solutions often disregarded obvious challenges! In the end, I think I've figured it out and decided to do a whole video on it to make sure a good resource was out there for those looking to answer the question. I also think we should talk a bit about the anxiety Christians often feel when trying to resolve a supposed contradiction. How do we process that, especially if we simply don't know the answer yet?

This is part 57 of the Mark Series, going verse-by-verse through the Gospel of Mark. Today we are in chapter 14:1-12.

Feel free to use my videos in your own gatherings as an aid to studying Scripture.

See the WHOLE Gospel of Mark playlist here:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ3iRMLYFlHuGenHwUdeiQ5M-uj5XW4sF

0:00 - Intro
1. 1:20 When using the Kalam Cosmological Argument, how can I convince skeptics that this argument should lead to belief in the God of the Bible specifically, and not just "a creator" in general?
2. 7:58 Is there any biblical support for the idea that Daniel 11:36-45 is talking about the antichrist instead of Antiochus IV?
3. 16:08 How do you address the advanced ages found in the book of Genesis? My wife and I were discussing this last night. She takes them literally, while I view them more symbolically. How do you view it?
4. 23:15 I was speaking with Orthodox Christian friends about tradition, and they said John 21:24-25 was the best example of the Bible mentioning oral tradition as being as authoritative as itself. Thoughts?
5. 27:52 Are Mark 13:24-27 and Revelation 6:12-17 describing the same event?
6. 31:37 How do we determine the difference between text in the Bible that only relates to the cultural context of the time vs. text that is trans-cultural and relevant for all time?
7. 37:41 When the restrainer is removed, will non-believers lose their compassion and morals? (See 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7)
8. 41:40 Are you ever shaken by why there are brilliant philosophers of religion, like Graham Oppy, who are atheists? I sometimes feel like I must be missing something.
9. 45:30 I was wondering, what is a good alternative to the “sinners prayer”? How should we lead someone to salvation?
10. 46:37 In Molinism (or your soteriology), is people's choice to believe only dependent upon the circumstances God places them in? If so, why doesn't God make circumstances that makes everyone believe?
11. 50:35 A friend of mine points to the law on women and rape in Deuteronomy 22:23-24 as an example of "flawed teaching" in the Bible. How should we understand this verse?
12. 56:10 Why is Esther in the Bible? I see no moral purpose, no mention of God anywhere, and the last two chapters have dangerous implications.
13. 1:00:53 A friend who is a recent Christian hasn’t chosen to be baptized yet. He seems to not understand the importance of baptism. How can I explain the importance of baptism without being pushy? Ultimately, it’s his decision.
14. 1:03:48 What does it mean to "wait on the Lord," and how (in general) would you counsel someone who's in that season?
15. 1:05:44 Can you speak to how to tell the difference between the Spirit burdening your heart & just being obsessive about something? A friend broke contact with me during great pain a long time ago, and I still worry.
16. 1:09:45 My unborn baby has a serious birth defect. Several friends are praying for a miracle. Is it o.k. if we don't? I do believe God could heal that way, but I'm just trying to live with what's real right now.
17. 1:12:36 What is your perspective on the application of the “Do not even eat with them…” passage when it comes to family (1 Corinthians 5: 11)? Do you think this includes not going to family gatherings?
18. 1:16:39 How do I talk to my wife, who believes in Jesus & prays “In Jesus Name, Amen,” but doesn’t read the Bible or know the true meaning & story behind Jesus Christ? Her lifestyle doesn’t add up with the script.
19. 1:18:01 Do politics belong in the pulpit? I 100% disagree with politics being in the pulpit for various reasons, but I wanted your opinion also.
20. 1:23:03 I was saved last year, and my husband is still an atheist. He doesn't want me sharing Jesus with our daughter because he thinks she'll "think he's going to hell." How do I balance my faith and my respect for him?

Helping you learn to think biblically about everything, because the Bible is more brilliant, beautiful, and life-changing than most of us have realized. Every Friday at 1 p.m. PT.