“Actually, the writers of the Gospel believed that their fate in eternity depended upon their being accurate.”
I am sure the apostles thought that way. I am not convinced all their late editors and redactors felt the same way in the intervening three centuries before orthodoxy set in by decree.
In all my years of bible study, I have never found some things, like “the virgin birth” as essential to understanding and knowing Christ. I have never taken someone’s disbelief or acceptance of them as essential either. I am faithfully convinced Christ does not either.
A new pastor came to our church and preached about how the virgin birth was just a story. But that it meant more as a story than if it had really happened.
We invited him to our house for dinner. After pleasant dinner and conversation I asked him more. “So - I understand your thinking on the virgin birth, and while I don’t agree, I can see your point and respect that. Now what about other miracles in the Bible?”
“Yes, well, just as with the virgin birth, they are impossible. But - they mean much more as a story than if they could even have actually happened.”
“Um - so obviously the Resurrection you consider just a story - and didn’t happen.”
“Of course it didn’t really happen.”
“And you believed this when you were ordained?”
“Yes.”
“Unbelievable that the church would ordain you. Well, thank you for coming over. And sorry to say that we will be leaving our church and finding another one.”