Neutral Singh,



Mark (70 A.D.), Matthew (80 A.D.), Luke (90 A.D.), and John (90-105 A.D.) known as the “the Gospels” were written by four different people at four different time for different group of people. For e.g.
Gospel according to Mark was directed at Jewish people.

Gospel according to Matthew for Jewish Christian converts.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/christianity/688-contradictions-in-bible.html

Gospel according to Luke was directed at Gentile believers.

Gospel according to John was an evangelical document directed at unbelievers.



Who or how many went to Jesus’ tomb is not the point of the scriptures but that, empty tomb was “witnessed”. The omission of names or mention of names is not contradictory but depends on the author’s purpose. For. e.g. Mark and John do not mention the birth of Jesus but Luke provides more detailed version of Jesus’ birth in comparison to Matthew.



The four gospels are not identical in details because the reason of their writing was different and they were directed at different audiences. Finally, Luke’s account that you seem to have missed (for whatever reason) clarifies what I am saying - “On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb.” (Luke 24:1) Who and how many went is not the purpose of writing the account but that there were witnesses.



In your case, perhaps, this can be further understood by account of Guru Nanak’s disappearance for three days. Follow along with me as I provide you with few of the various accounts of this incident as circulated among Sikhs:



Early one morning accompanied by Mardana, Guru Nanak went to the river Bain for his bath. After plunging into the river, Guru Nanak did not surface and it was reported that he must have drowned. (http://www.sikhs.org/guru1.htm)



The Janamsakhis narrate that one morning, Guru Nanak went to bathe in the neighboring river called Baeen. While bathing he disappeared in water and remained as such for three days - Some writers say that after taking the bath in the river, he went to the nearby forest. (http://www.searchsikhism.com/nanak1.html#_ftn6)



By all accounts, 1496 was the year of his enlightenment when he started on his mission. (http://www.sikh-history.com/sikhhist/gurus/nanak1.html)



It was in 1499 that the day of destiny of ecstatic communion with God came. While taking his daily bath in the rivulet Bain that flows near Sultanpur. (http://allaboutsikhs.com/history/his0915.htm)



At the age of 38, in August 1507, Guru Nanak Sahib heard God 's call to dedicate himself to the service of humanity after bathing in "Vain Nadi" (a small river) Near Sultanpur Lodhi. (http://www.sgpc.net/gurus/gurunanak.asp)

One day after bathing Nanak disappeared in the forest. (http://www.sacred-texts.com/skh/tsr1/tsr106.htm)

Now, would you be kind enough to clarify above-mentioned discrepancies and perhaps set the record straight as per Guru Granth Sahib? Or would you like to take an issue with the authors regarding the lack of consistency? Awaiting your explanation with great anticipation.






Moving on, let’s look at John 10:30 and John 14:28.



Jesus’ statement “I and the Father are one.” (John 10:30) is directed at Jewish religious authorities, who questioned him; “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” (John 10:24) Jesus is telling them that He is the Christ, who they were expecting. Jesus, as Christ, is one with the Father – in Spirit, Character and Purpose. In other words, He is God because no human can be one in Spirit, Character and purpose with God. The Jews immediately understood this and “picked up stones to stone him.” (John 10:31)
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=688



Jesus’ statement “Father is greater than I” (John 14:28) is directed at the twelve disciples during one of his private discourse with them. The disciples, unlike Jewish authorities, had understood that Jesus was one with God in divine purpose but it was Jesus' human purpose they did not fully comprehend. Jesus is explaining that he is on earth in human body as God’s servant to carry out a mission – to die for the sins of the world and after that he has to return to God the Father and take up his divine nature once again which He relinquished as per God’s will. “After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” (Hebrews 1:3) So, it is in his human nature, though sinless, Jesus is lesser than God, the Father.



Jesus, the Son, and God, the Father, are “one” (equal) in divine nature and purpose. However, they are separate (unequal) in the sense that Jesus became human and identified himself with sinful nature of mankind. Therefore, Jesus in divine nature is same as God, but God is greater then Jesus, in human nature, though without sin.



Regards

Rajs