SIR - It may surprise your persistent correspondent Peter Wilson that the Gospels were not written from the prospective of providing accurate historical documents, but rather as a testimony of faith.

The Gospels existed in oral tradition before being submitted to writing, and the differences in the accounts reflect the background of the people to whom they were intended.

For example, St Matthew's Gospel includes the Sermon on the Mount, which is not included in the other gospels, as Matthew was writing for converts who were converting from Judaism and the Sermon on the Mount was analogous to Moses receiving the Commandments from the top of a mountain.

In effect the gospels have been edited to convey theological themes and are not to be understood within the context of modern reporting.

Furthermore the gospels depend on several sources, and Mr Wilson is in error to suggest that the later gospels are "embellished versions" of St Mark.

It is possible to appreciate the literary value and insights as provided by the gospels and Bible as a whole without necessarily accepting the underlining theology.

It would seem Mr Wilson is fixated with anti-religious rhetoric!

Alec Suchi, Allerton Road, Allerton