The difference is not as hard as one may think.
Matthew follows the line of Joseph.
According to the book of Juchasin, the rule of the Jews is that "the mother is not called the family". In other words, women were not really recognized and thus in Luke, "as supposed being the son of Joseph" is referring to the lineage of Mary, daughter of Heli but recognizing Joseph as the head of the family. This is seen throughout the Testaments.
First, let me say how refreshing it is to have a civil conversation with someone even when we disagree. I am new here but I have also seen many posters who simply wish to either insult or proselytize and that, IMO, is not the purpose of a place like this.
Now, that said, we agree here. However, this point leads to another, more interesting point, IMO. That is that Mary cannot possibly lead to a messiah per Jewish lore. You yourself point out that the woman is devalued in that culture, which I agree with. I don't, however, feel that it is recognizing Joseph as the head of the family.
Yes, one can then say I am trying to make it fit, but I really am not trying to do that.
My spirit and soul and body are one. (as in John 10:30) But my spirit is greater (as in John 14:28)
I would not say that Ken. I see it more as your set of beliefs and there is nothing wrong with that. And I completely agree that the spirit is greater. It is my belief that we are reincarnated, which IMO, the Bible can be argued to have intimated. (Another great dicussion point!). In my belief, we are here with each new life to try to enlighten our spirits on this journey.
It seems like one is between a rock and a hard spot here. When one book says exactly the same as another book then it was a robbery of sorts, just copying. But if it doesn't say exactly the same thing, then it is in contradiction and not inspired. What is one to do?
I find that it is four Gospels simply giving us the whole of the picture like the blind men describing an elephant from different angles.
Interesting take Ken. I looked at this from a differing POV and applied to your thinking to the book by Twain..Huckleberry Finn, a book I loathe. I had this discussion with my sister, who is a English Prof and she loves the book. She and I talked about your take at length and it gave us both a new POV. I concur that it is possible the differing views could be to incite one to think of this from different angles. Very intriquing Ken.