55. M. In Matt. xxvii. 44 it is said that both thieves railed at Christ
on the Cross, while in Luke xxiii. 39 we are told that only one did so. Is not this
a contradiction?
C. You must not interpolate the word only into the Gospel. If I tell some
one that you came to see me to-day, does that imply that you were my only visitor?
Careful reading of the two passages shows no contradiction between them, though St. Luke
mentions a circumstance in addition to the one recorded by St. Matthew. Two accounts state
that the thieves railed at Christ, and St. Luke adds the fact that one of them afterwards
repented. It was probably the patient meekness with which our Lord bore the railing of
both thieves, as well as His other sufferings, that ultimately softened the heart of one
of them.
56. M. Christ tells us (John v. 22, 27) that He is to judge the world, whereas
St. Paul says that the saints are to do so (1 Cor. vi. 2, 3). Is this not contradictory?
C. Is it contradictory in our courts to speak of Judge So-and-So, although the case
is heard before a jury or assessors as well?
57. M. In 1 Cor. vi. 10 we are told that drunkards shall not inherit the Kingdom
of God. Yet in 1 Tim. v. 23 Paul directs Timothy to drink wine. Is this not a
contradiction? Islam is superior to Christianity, since it prohibits all drinking of
intoxicants.