Do we have reason to question parts of the New Testament?

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I neglected to post scripture references, Paul facing death in the arena, 1 Corinthians 15:22 and 2 Timothy 4:17
GWH said:
I see you did not include the Scriptural support that I requested,
although I realize that what I cited was speculative also.

I note that you think Paul remained in the rain on the plain in Spain until 68 and then (re)visited the region
containing the towns I specified and speculated as beginning in 64, not being executed until 70, whereas I
thought 67 might be possible. I found the following online:

[[Following his release at the end of his two-year imprisonment in Rome, Paul had a brief period of freedom where he continued to preach, teach, and encourage the churches around the Mediterranean region. Between 62 and 65 AD, Paul seems to have brought the Gospel to Spain, which was his stated intention a few years earlier in his letter to the Romans. Although we know very little about this journey, a brief record of it has been preserved in the 1st century writings of Clement. In addition to Spain, Paul went to the island of Crete and then on to Nicopolis in the Province of Macedonia in late 65 AD. It was at Nicopolis where Paul wrote a letter back to Titus at Crete and his first letter to Timothy at Ephesus. Paul was executed in Rome in about 67 AD. According to ancient sources such as Clement, Dionysius, Eusebius and Tertullian, Paul was executed by beheading, a death befitting a Roman citizen. Ancient records suggest that Nero knew Paul personally, so it’s likely that he had Paul beheaded through order of the prefects of Rome.]]

Thoughts?
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Much of this is speculation. Clement does not state when or how Paul went to Rome, just that he did. Nero quite plausibly did know Paul, or at least some of Paul's relatives, and this would be why I think he exiled Paul to Spain rather than execute him. Blaming Nero for the execution also lets Vespasian, who seems far more likely in my eyes, off the hook. And Acts, the second half of a work inspired partly by Homer (the gospel where the original home is doomed if not totally lost) and a two-part total work) and partly by Virgil (Acts, Rome is the destination following the loss of the original home, in this case Jerusalem). would seem to imply that Theophilus was a nickname given to Vespasian by Luke.

By the way, Acts also seems to reference Plato in a couple places, Euripides, Homer, Phrygian myth and a standard 1st century comical scene. I think there are more hidden references, but I cannot think of them at present. Do you want me to dig through and find them all for you, including the hints about Vespasian and Theophilus (in Acts 2)?
 
rewriter said:
I neglected to post scripture references, Paul facing death in the arena, 1 Corinthians 15:22 and 2 Timothy 4:17


Much of this is speculation. Clement does not state when or how Paul went to Rome, just that he did. Nero quite plausibly did know Paul, or at least some of Paul's relatives, and this would be why I think he exiled Paul to Spain rather than execute him. Blaming Nero for the execution also lets Vespasian, who seems far more likely in my eyes, off the hook. And Acts, the second half of a work inspired partly by Homer (the gospel where the original home is doomed if not totally lost) and a two-part total work) and partly by Virgil (Acts, Rome is the destination following the loss of the original home, in this case Jerusalem). would seem to imply that Theophilus was a nickname given to Vespasian by Luke.

By the way, Acts also seems to reference Plato in a couple places, Euripides, Homer, Phrygian myth and a standard 1st century comical scene. I think there are more hidden references, but I cannot think of them at present. Do you want me to dig through and find them all for you, including the hints about Vespasian and Theophilus (in Acts 2)?
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No, I am satisfied that you did not find any discrepancies that matter, and pursuing speculation is not my interest with occasional exceptions/rabbits such as the possible 4th Pauline mission trip and resolving apparent contradictions in Scripture including:

How can apparent contradictions in Scripture be resolved?

Jam. 2:24 justified by faith with works faith produces fruit (v. 14-19)
Rom. 3:28 justified by faith apart from law faith is followed by fruit (Gal. 5:6, Eph. 2:10)

Luke 23:46 last words were “Father, into…” Jesus said both, but witnesses heard or remembered
John 19:30 last words were “It is finished.” only one.

Mark 10:46 a blind man There were two, but the witness in Mark saw or
Matt. 20:30 two blind men remembered only one.

John 20:22 disciples received the Holy Spirit received is not necessarily filling
Acts 2:1-4 disciples were filled by the H.S.

Matt. 5:44 love your enemies the latter speaks of not being pleased
Matt. 7:1 the Lord hated Esau

2Sam. 24:1 Lord incited David God allowed Satan to incite David.
1Chron. 21:1 Satan incited David

Gen. 2:17 die on day sin is committed “die” refers to spiritual death or separation from God
Gen. 5:5 lived 930 years before dying

Gen. 20:11-12 Sarah is Abraham’s half sister law was not given until time of Moses
Lev. 20:17 brother should not marry sister

The point that matters IMO is that it is right/wise to seek God's answers to questions (as we are doing on the Apologetics
thread) rather than repeat the history/sin of A&E.
 
R
rewriter said:
Well, a question back to you. When you recount events do you jump all around or do you relate events in the order they occurred? Most people relate events in the order they occurred. Or perhaps you think that Luke, when writing, jumped around in which case maybe the women went to the tomb before Jesus was placed there and saw him standing the garden and that is the source for the resurrection story. Personally I highly doubt that, but your question makes it possible.
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There are instances of New Testament narratives including parenthetical commentary/events embedded within an otherwise chronologically ordered account.

The account of Herod arresting John the Baptist Matt. 14, Mr 6 and Luke 3:19.
John's own commentary on Jesus resurrection and glorification beginning at John 3:13, added seamlessly to Jesus' words to Nicodemus ending at John 3:12, so that most translators mistake them as also being Jesus' own words to Nicodemus.

But to be honest, I was not familiar with the chronological uncertainties your OP mentions until now. I will take a look at the verses you cite and give my take afterwards.
 
2ndTimeIsTheCharm said:
Just ask God to clarify the parts of His word you have a problem with and He will in due time - He's the true author of it all and is the perfect one explain to you about those parts.


✍️
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As that might take time, as anyone can be inpatient as God I see is not and knows when to reveal it to whoever God chooses to. Thank you
Me, I am still in process too
Thank you Father and Son as Won for us to beleive you in Col 1:21-22 for me anyways.
 
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