Harmonization of the Gospels

Argument: 

• The Resurrection record is self-contradictory. The order of events appear to differ among the accounts. For example, in Matthew 28:1, Mary Magdala was the first one to see Christ, but in 1 Corinthians 15:5, Peter was the first one. Also, Matthew 28:2 says Mary Magdalene was the first to the tomb, but John 20:1 says it was only Mary Magdalene and she was first. 

Rebuttal:

     Closer scrutiny reveals that the descriptions are saying the same things from different perspectives; they do harmonize when closely compared. There is a discernable overall order of post-resurrection events in the New Testament accounts. The other events fit around this schema: