The genealogy of Jesus as recorded in the gospels of Matthew and Luke differs. Very early on, this difference gave rise to many questions and discussions amongst Christians. An attempt at reconciliation had considerable success for centuries: that which Julius Africanus (ca. 170-250) put forward in his letter to Aristides on the basis of Judaeo-Christian traditions. Aimed against a less literal interpretation of the gospel genealogies, Africanus' letter underlines a claim that will play an important role all through the Christian history- that of biblical inerrancy.
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