{"id":78221,"date":"2023-12-05T14:06:13","date_gmt":"2023-12-05T18:06:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/?p=78221"},"modified":"2025-01-23T12:11:25","modified_gmt":"2025-01-23T16:11:25","slug":"jesus-infancy-allegedly-contradictory-accounts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/2023\/12\/jesus-infancy-allegedly-contradictory-accounts.html","title":{"rendered":"Jesus&#8217; Infancy: Allegedly Contradictory Accounts"},"content":{"rendered":"<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><head><meta http-equiv=\"content-type\" content=\"text\/html; charset=utf-8\"><meta http-equiv=\"content-type\" content=\"text\/html; charset=utf-8\"><\/head><body><p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/572\/2023\/12\/Nativity3.jpg\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-78230 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/572\/2023\/12\/Nativity3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"550\" height=\"500\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Chapter 7 of my book (available for <strong>free<\/strong>\u00a0online),\u00a0<a class=\" decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/2023\/11\/inspired-198-supposed-biblical-contradictions-resolved.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Inspired!: 198 Supposed Biblical Contradictions Resolved<\/em><\/a>. See the\u00a0<a class=\" decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/2023\/11\/inspired-198-supposed-biblical-contradictions-resolved.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Introduction<\/a>\u00a0and ch. 1:\u00a0<a class=\" decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/2023\/11\/how-do-atheists-define-a-biblical-contradiction.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">How Do Atheists Define a \u201cBiblical Contradiction\u201d?<\/a>\u00a0All Bible passages RSV unless otherwise noted.<\/p>\n<div data-viewport-child=\"k9Mid05z\">\n<div id=\"incontent2\" data-placeholder=\"My1z2l9F,MryGVq3L,TbBQ0xzl\" data-cmd=\"true\">\n<div class=\"\" style=\"text-align: center;\" data-placeholder-child=\"My1z2l9F\">*****<\/div>\n<div data-placeholder-child=\"My1z2l9F\"><\/div>\n<div data-placeholder-child=\"My1z2l9F\">\n<p>135.<em> Why do only Matthew (1:18, 20, 23) and Luke (1:35) know of the virgin birth; shouldn\u2019t we expect other writers to mention this, too?<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Arguments from \u201cexpectation\u201d or plausibility are not, strictly speaking, the same as establishing a logical contradiction. This is the argument from silence, too, which is always weak in and of itself. Two Gospels mentioning it is more than enough. The other two didn\u2019t. But who cares? Why must all four mention\u00a0<em>any<\/em>\u00a0particular thing? They all have to do with Jesus and his life. That is what anyone should \u201cexpect\u201d to see in them. Details and absences and inclusions can differ in innumerable ways.<\/p>\n<p>136. <em>Did Joseph, Mary, and Jesus flee to Egypt during Herod\u2019s slaughter of the innocents (Matt. 2:13-16) or stay in Bethlehem (Luke 2:21-39) for temple rituals (with no such slaughter being mentioned)?<\/em><\/p>\n<p>The two passages refer to\u00a0<em>completely different time-periods<\/em>, and so, as a result, are not contradictory. Luke 2:21-39 refers to the time when Jesus was between eight and forty days old (when purification rites were done). Matthew 2:13-16, on the other hand, is during the visit of the Wise Men (<em>magi<\/em>), which is when Jesus was (based on other textual deductions) 1-2 years\u2019 old. This is when Herod ordered the slaughter. Jesus was by then a toddler. The word for\u00a0<em>child<\/em>\u00a0in Matthew 2:8-9 is\u00a0<em>paidion<\/em>: which meant in biblical Greek: \u201cyoung child, perhaps seven years old or younger.\u201d The magi visit a \u201chouse\u201d (Matt. 2:11), not a baby in a \u201cmanger\u201d (Luke 2:7, 12, 16), in a place which was, in fact, very much a cave (I\u2019ve been there). No angels (Luke 2:9-10, 13-15), shepherds (Luke 2:8, 15-18), or animals are in sight.<\/p>\n<p>137. <em>Was Jesus born in Bethlehem (Luke 2:4-7) or Nazareth? <\/em><em>Mark (1:9) seems to indicate that Jesus was born in Nazareth, since it declares: \u201c<\/em><em>Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p>This atheist\u2019s \u201cargument\u201d is that Mark calls him \u201cJesus of Nazareth\u201d three times (1:24; 10:47; 16:6) and notes that Nazareth was his hometown. So\u00a0<em>what<\/em>?! It was his hometown from the age of 1 or 2. It doesn\u2019t follow that he was <em>born<\/em> there or that Mark\u2019s simply not dealing with his birth means that he\u00a0<em>denied<\/em>\u00a0that Bethlehem was where he was born. This is the well-known \u201cargument from silence\u201d fallacy. Luke also has the phrase \u201cJesus of Nazareth: three times (4:34; 18:37; 24:19), yet clearly at the same time records that he was born in Bethlehem. In\u00a0all appearances of \u201cNazareth\u201d\u00a0in conjunction with Jesus, never once does it say that he was<em>\u00a0born<\/em>\u00a0there. The Bible says that he \u201cdwelt\u201d there (Matt. 2:23), that he was \u201cfrom\u201d there (Matt. 21:11; Mark 1:9), that he was \u201cof\u201d Nazareth (Matt. 26:71; Mark 1:24; 10:47; 16:6; Luke 4:34, 18:37; 24:19; John 1:45; 18:5, 7; 19:19; Acts 2:22; 3:6; 4:10; 6:14; 10:38; 22:8; 26:9), \u201cout of\u201d Nazareth (John \u00a01:46), \u201cbrought up\u201d there (Luke 4:16), that Jesus called Nazareth \u201chis own country\u201d (Luke 4:23-24). Not one word about being born in Nazareth occurs in any of those 28 references. It\u2019s talking about his hometown, where he was always known to live, prior to his three-year itinerant ministry. In the Bible, people were generally named after the places where they were from. The Bible states that he was \u201cof\u201d or \u201cfrom\u201d\u00a0<em>Nazareth<\/em>\u00a0because that was his\u00a0<em>hometown<\/em>. And it asserts that he was\u00a0<em>born<\/em>\u00a0in\u00a0<em>Bethlehem<\/em>; never that he was born in Nazareth.<\/p>\n<p>138. <em>Why do Luke and Matthew clash as to who first visited Jesus: the shepherds (Luke 2:16) or the wise men (Matt. 2:11), and why doesn\u2019t either account mention the other early witnesses?<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Neither Matthew nor Luke claim that the shepherds or the wise men (magi) were the \u201cfirst\u201d to witness the baby Jesus. Right after Luke reports that Mary gave birth to Jesus (Luke 2:7), it\u2019s reported that angels inform the shepherds of the birth of Jesus on that very night (Luke 2:8-14). Then the shepherds went to see baby Jesus (Luke 2:15-16). We know that this was the night of Jesus\u2019 birth, complete with his lying in the famous \u201cmanger\u201d (Luke 2:7). But nothing is said about their being the\u00a0<em>first<\/em>\u00a0visitors. They\u00a0<em>may<\/em>\u00a0have been, but we can\u2019t know for\u00a0<em>sure<\/em>\u00a0from the text. They could have been the first or the fifth, or the only ones on that night. From the text we can\u2019t determine those things. And there is no imaginary obligation for a text to mention any or all other visitors too (it\u2019s absurd to \u201cdemand\u201d that). All we know for sure is that they seem to have visited shortly after he was born. The wise men, on the other hand, <em>didn\u2019t visit on the night of Jesus\u2019 birth<\/em>.\u00a0When the magi stopped by, Jesus was a toddler. The word for\u00a0<em>child<\/em>\u00a0in Matthew 2:8-9 is\u00a0<em>paidion<\/em>: which means \u201cyounger child\u201d. \u201cBabe\u201d on the other hand (Lk 2:12, 16 in RSV and KJV) is\u00a0<em>brephos<\/em>: which means: \u201can unborn or a newborn child\u201d and is used of children in the womb in Luke 1:41, 44. In Luke 2, it\u2019s the day of Jesus\u2019 birth (Luke 2:7, 11). The magi visit a \u201chouse\u201d (Matt. 2:11), not a baby in a \u201cmanger\u201d (Luke 2:7, 12, 16), in a place which was, in fact, very much a cave (I\u2019ve been there). There are no angels (Luke 2:9-10, 13-15), shepherds (Luke 2:8, 15-18), or animals are in sight. The star of Bethlehem is a factor in Matthew\u2019s account only. Luke never mentions it.\u00a0Commentators generally believe that Jesus was two years old or younger when the wise men visited, but in any event, not a newborn. Therefore, we definitely know that <em>the shepherds visited Jesus before the wise men did<\/em> (and <em>likely<\/em> were the first visitors). In any event, there is no demonstrable contradiction.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-placeholder-child=\"My1z2l9F\">*<\/div>\n<div data-placeholder-child=\"My1z2l9F\">\n<div data-placeholder-child=\"My1z2l9F\">\n<div data-placeholder-child=\"kGniD1W4\">\n<p>*****<br>\n*<\/p>\n<div class=\"x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a\">\n<div dir=\"auto\">\n<div dir=\"auto\"><strong><em>Practical Matters<\/em><\/strong>: Perhaps some of my 4,500+ free online articles (the most comprehensive \u201cone-stop\u201d Catholic apologetics site) or\u00a0<a class=\"decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/2009\/06\/dave-armstrongs-catholic-apologetics-bookstore-49-books-paperback-e-pub-mobi-nook-book-amazon-kindle-itunes-pdf-rock-bottom-regular-prices-67-savings-for-e-books-2.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">fifty-five books<\/a>\u00a0have helped you (by God\u2019s grace) to decide to\u00a0<a class=\"decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/2006\/11\/feedback-comments-on-my-writing-from.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">become Catholic<\/a>\u00a0or to\u00a0<a class=\"decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/2014\/01\/feedback-comments-on-my-writing-from-2.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">return to the Church<\/a>,\u00a0or better understand some doctrines and\u00a0<a class=\"decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/2021\/02\/the-biblical-basis-of-apologetics-defense-of-christianity.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>why<\/em>\u00a0we believe them<\/a>.<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\">*<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\">Or you may believe my work is worthy to support for the purpose of apologetics and evangelism in general. If so, please seriously consider a much-needed financial contribution. I\u2019m always in need of more funds: especially\u00a0<em>monthly<\/em>\u00a0support. \u201cThe laborer is worthy of his wages\u201d (1 Tim 5:18, NKJV). 1 December 2021 was my 20th anniversary as a\u00a0<a class=\"decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/2006\/07\/my-literary-resume.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">full-time Catholic apologist<\/a>, and February 2022 marked the 25th anniversary of my blog.<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\">*<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\"><a class=\"decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.paypal.com\/us\/webapps\/mpp\/sem\/account-selection-signup\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">PayPal donations<\/a>\u00a0are the easiest: just send to my email address: apologistdave@gmail.com. You\u2019ll see the term \u201cCatholic Used Book Service\u201d, which is my old side-business. To learn about the different methods of contributing, see my page:\u00a0<a class=\"decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/2015\/08\/about-dave-armstrong-2.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">About Catholic Apologist Dave Armstrong \/ Donation Information<\/a>.\u00a0<strong><em>Thanks a million<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0from the bottom of my heart!<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\"><\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\">*<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\">***<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Photo Credit<\/strong>: <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">portion of the 1622 painting, <em>Adoration Of The Shepherds<\/em> (Gerard van Honthorst)<\/span> [public domain \/ <a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/Gerard_van_Honthorst#\/media\/File:Gerard_van_Honthorst_001.jpg\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Wikimedia Commons<\/a>]<\/p>\n<p><em>Summary<\/em>: Ch. 7 of Dave Armstrong\u2019s book, \u201cInspired!\u201d: in which he examines 198 examples of alleged biblical contradictions &amp; disproves all of these patently false claims.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chapter 7 of my book (available for free\u00a0online),\u00a0Inspired!: 198 Supposed Biblical Contradictions Resolved. See the\u00a0Introduction\u00a0and ch. 1:\u00a0How Do Atheists Define a \u201cBiblical Contradiction\u201d?\u00a0All Bible passages RSV unless otherwise noted. ***** 135. Why do only Matthew (1:18, 20, 23) and Luke (1:35) know of the virgin birth; shouldn\u2019t we expect other writers to mention this, too? [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2331,"featured_media":78230,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[172],"tags":[2519,18254,6525,18257,4067,18260],"class_list":["post-78221","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-trinitarianism-christology","tag-alleged-biblical-contradictions","tag-allegedly-contradictory-accounts-of-jesus-infancy","tag-inerrant-bible","tag-infancy-of-jesus","tag-inspired-bible","tag-inspired-191-supposed-biblical-contradictions-resolved"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Jesus&#039; Infancy: Allegedly Contradictory Accounts Jesus&#039; Infancy: Allegedly Contradictory Accounts<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Chapter 7 of my book (available for free\u00a0online),\u00a0Inspired!: 198 Supposed Biblical Contradictions Resolved. See the\u00a0Introduction\u00a0and ch. 1:\u00a0How Do Ch. 7 of Dave Armstrong\u2019s book, \u201cInspired!\u201d: in which he examines 198 examples of alleged biblical contradictions &amp; disproves all of these patently false claims.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/2023\/12\/jesus-infancy-allegedly-contradictory-accounts.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Jesus&#039; Infancy: Allegedly Contradictory Accounts Jesus&#039; Infancy: Allegedly Contradictory Accounts\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Chapter 7 of my book (available for free\u00a0online),\u00a0Inspired!: 198 Supposed Biblical Contradictions Resolved. See the\u00a0Introduction\u00a0and ch. 1:\u00a0How Do Ch. 7 of Dave Armstrong\u2019s book, \u201cInspired!\u201d: in which he examines 198 examples of alleged biblical contradictions &amp; disproves all of these patently false claims.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/2023\/12\/jesus-infancy-allegedly-contradictory-accounts.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Biblical Evidence for Catholicism\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:author\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/dave.armstrong.798\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2023-12-05T18:06:13+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-01-23T16:11:25+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/572\/2023\/12\/Nativity3.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"550\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"500\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Dave Armstrong\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Dave Armstrong\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/2023\/12\/jesus-infancy-allegedly-contradictory-accounts.html\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/2023\/12\/jesus-infancy-allegedly-contradictory-accounts.html\",\"name\":\"Jesus' Infancy: Allegedly Contradictory Accounts Jesus' Infancy: Allegedly Contradictory Accounts\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2023-12-05T18:06:13+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-01-23T16:11:25+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/#\/schema\/person\/471eaa20e441eca4bb1ea50393cf632e\"},\"description\":\"Chapter 7 of my book (available for free\u00a0online),\u00a0Inspired!: 198 Supposed Biblical Contradictions Resolved. 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Formerly a campus missionary, as a Protestant, Dave was received into the Catholic Church in February 1991, by the late, well-known catechist and theologian, Fr. John A. Hardon, S. J. Dave\u2019s articles have appeared in many influential Catholic periodicals, including \\\"This Rock\\\" (now called \\\"Catholic Answers Magazine\\\"), \\\"Envoy Magazine\\\" (Patrick Madrid), \\\"The Catholic Answer,\\\" \\\"The Coming Home Journal,\\\" \\\"Gilbert Magazine\\\" (American Chesterton Society), and \\\"The Latin Mass.\\\" He also writes a featured column for every issue of \\\"The Michigan Catholic\\\": published by the archdiocese of Detroit, and was editor for most of the apologetics tracts published by the St. Paul Street Evangelization apostolate. Dave\u2019s apologetics and writing apostolate was the subject of a feature article in the May 2002 issue of \\\"Envoy Magazine.\\\" He served as the staff moderator at the Internet discussion forum for The Coming Home Network, from 2007-2010. Dave has been interviewed on many nationally syndicated Catholic radio shows, including \\\"Catholic Answers Live\\\" (twice), \\\"Faith and Family Live\\\" (Steve Wood), \\\"Kresta in the Afternoon,\\\" \\\"Son Rise Morning Show,\\\" \\\"Catholic Connection\\\" (Teresa Tomeo), and \\\"The Catholics Next Door.\\\" His large and popular website, \\\"Biblical Evidence for Catholicism,\\\" was online from March 1997 to March 2007, and received the 1998 Catholic Website of the Year award from \\\"Envoy Magazine.\\\" His blog of the same name (now transferred to Patheos), begun in February 2004, contains more than 1,500 papers, at least 500 debates or dialogues, and over 50 distinct \\\"index\\\" web pages. Unsolicited correspondence has indicated many hundreds of conversions (or returns) to the Catholic faith as a result, by God's grace, of these writings. Dave's conversion story was published in the bestselling book \\\"Surprised by Truth\\\" (edited by Patrick Madrid; San Diego: Basilica Press, 1994). Sophia Institute Press has published six of his books: \\\"A Biblical Defense of Catholicism\\\" (Foreword by Fr. John A. Hardon, S. J., 1996 \/ 2003), \\\"The Catholic Verses\\\" (2004), \\\"The One-Minute Apologist\\\" (2007), \\\"Bible Proofs for Catholic Truths\\\" (2009), \\\"The Quotable Newman\\\" (editor: 2012), and \\\"Proving the Catholic Faith is Biblical\\\" (2015). He is co-author (with Dr. Paul Thigpen) of the inserts for \\\"The New Catholic Answer Bible\\\" (Our Sunday Visitor: 2005), and editor for \\\"The Wisdom of Mr. Chesterton: The Very Best Quotes, Quips, and Cracks from the Pen of G. K. Chesterton\\\" (Saint Benedict Press \/ TAN Books: 2009). \\\"100 Biblical Arguments Against Sola Scriptura\\\" was published by Catholic Answers in May 2012. His \\\"Quotable Wesley\\\" compilation was published by (Protestant \/ Wesleyan publisher) Beacon Hill Press in April 2014. Several of his 49 books are bestsellers in their field. Dave maintains a popular personal Facebook page, a Facebook author page, and has a Twitter account as well. He offers almost all of his books in e-book form on his own Biblical Catholicism site (http:\/\/biblicalcatholicism.com\/), at a permanent deep discount: only $2.99 for ePub, mobi, and AZW, and $1.99 for PDF. His writing has been enthusiastically endorsed or recommended by many leading Catholic apologists, authors, and priests, including Dr. Scott Hahn, Fr. Peter M. J. Stravinskas, Marcus Grodi, Patrick Madrid, Steve Ray, Tim Staples, Devin Rose, Mike Aquilina, Al Kresta, Karl Keating, Fr. Dwight Longenecker, Brandon Vogt, Marcellino D'Ambrosio, and Fr. John A. Hardon, S. J. Dave has been happily married to his wife Judy since October 1984. They have three sons and a daughter, and reside in southeast Michigan (metro Detroit).\",\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/biblicalcatholicism.com\/\",\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/dave.armstrong.798\",\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@LuxVeritatisApologetics\"],\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/author\/davearmstrong\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Jesus' Infancy: Allegedly Contradictory Accounts Jesus' Infancy: Allegedly Contradictory Accounts","description":"Chapter 7 of my book (available for free\u00a0online),\u00a0Inspired!: 198 Supposed Biblical Contradictions Resolved. 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Formerly a campus missionary, as a Protestant, Dave was received into the Catholic Church in February 1991, by the late, well-known catechist and theologian, Fr. John A. Hardon, S. J. Dave\u2019s articles have appeared in many influential Catholic periodicals, including \"This Rock\" (now called \"Catholic Answers Magazine\"), \"Envoy Magazine\" (Patrick Madrid), \"The Catholic Answer,\" \"The Coming Home Journal,\" \"Gilbert Magazine\" (American Chesterton Society), and \"The Latin Mass.\" He also writes a featured column for every issue of \"The Michigan Catholic\": published by the archdiocese of Detroit, and was editor for most of the apologetics tracts published by the St. Paul Street Evangelization apostolate. Dave\u2019s apologetics and writing apostolate was the subject of a feature article in the May 2002 issue of \"Envoy Magazine.\" He served as the staff moderator at the Internet discussion forum for The Coming Home Network, from 2007-2010. Dave has been interviewed on many nationally syndicated Catholic radio shows, including \"Catholic Answers Live\" (twice), \"Faith and Family Live\" (Steve Wood), \"Kresta in the Afternoon,\" \"Son Rise Morning Show,\" \"Catholic Connection\" (Teresa Tomeo), and \"The Catholics Next Door.\" His large and popular website, \"Biblical Evidence for Catholicism,\" was online from March 1997 to March 2007, and received the 1998 Catholic Website of the Year award from \"Envoy Magazine.\" His blog of the same name (now transferred to Patheos), begun in February 2004, contains more than 1,500 papers, at least 500 debates or dialogues, and over 50 distinct \"index\" web pages. Unsolicited correspondence has indicated many hundreds of conversions (or returns) to the Catholic faith as a result, by God's grace, of these writings. Dave's conversion story was published in the bestselling book \"Surprised by Truth\" (edited by Patrick Madrid; San Diego: Basilica Press, 1994). Sophia Institute Press has published six of his books: \"A Biblical Defense of Catholicism\" (Foreword by Fr. John A. Hardon, S. J., 1996 \/ 2003), \"The Catholic Verses\" (2004), \"The One-Minute Apologist\" (2007), \"Bible Proofs for Catholic Truths\" (2009), \"The Quotable Newman\" (editor: 2012), and \"Proving the Catholic Faith is Biblical\" (2015). He is co-author (with Dr. Paul Thigpen) of the inserts for \"The New Catholic Answer Bible\" (Our Sunday Visitor: 2005), and editor for \"The Wisdom of Mr. Chesterton: The Very Best Quotes, Quips, and Cracks from the Pen of G. K. Chesterton\" (Saint Benedict Press \/ TAN Books: 2009). \"100 Biblical Arguments Against Sola Scriptura\" was published by Catholic Answers in May 2012. His \"Quotable Wesley\" compilation was published by (Protestant \/ Wesleyan publisher) Beacon Hill Press in April 2014. Several of his 49 books are bestsellers in their field. Dave maintains a popular personal Facebook page, a Facebook author page, and has a Twitter account as well. He offers almost all of his books in e-book form on his own Biblical Catholicism site (http:\/\/biblicalcatholicism.com\/), at a permanent deep discount: only $2.99 for ePub, mobi, and AZW, and $1.99 for PDF. His writing has been enthusiastically endorsed or recommended by many leading Catholic apologists, authors, and priests, including Dr. Scott Hahn, Fr. Peter M. J. Stravinskas, Marcus Grodi, Patrick Madrid, Steve Ray, Tim Staples, Devin Rose, Mike Aquilina, Al Kresta, Karl Keating, Fr. Dwight Longenecker, Brandon Vogt, Marcellino D'Ambrosio, and Fr. John A. Hardon, S. J. Dave has been happily married to his wife Judy since October 1984. 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