Derek Honey (Oxford Mail, September 16) refers to alleged inconsistencies between the four New Testament Gospels.

May I recommend humility in approaching such apparent difficulties which often resolve themselves?

To address the specific points raised: Matthew, Mark and Luke all present a link between Jesus and his ancestor King David (Matthew 1, Luke 2:4).

In giving Jesus's genealogy, Matthew was concerned with showing fulfilment of God's promises to Abraham and David, not with Jesus's social status. Luke gives additional, not inconsistent, information by telling us that Mary and Joseph originally came from Nazareth — where they later returned when Jesus was a young boy.

When the wise men came and worshipped Jesus in a house in Bethlehem, he must have been a least a few months old, because Herod subsequently decreed the massacre not just of newborns but of all in the vicinity aged up to two years.

John assumes knowledge of Jesus's birth in Bethlehem (John 7:42).

As for the day of Jesus's crucifixion, John uses certain terms which might be taken to imply that it was the day of preparation for the Passover — therefore Thursday — but are better understood as meaning the day of preparation for the Sabbath — Friday — consistent with Matthew, Mark and Luke.

Finally, the four complement, rather than contradict, each other, by together giving us a precious record of seven things in all which Jesus said on the cross — to a criminal crucified beside him, to God his father, and to bystanders.

WILLIAM COWAN Grove Street Oxford