However, authors such as Raymond Brown have presented arguments that the Gospels actually contradict each other in various important respects and on various important details.[39] W. D. Davies and E. P. Sanders state that: "on many points, especially about Jesus' early life, the evangelists were ignorant … they simply did not know, and, guided by rumour, hope or supposition, did the best they could".[40] More critical scholars see the nativity stories either as completely fictional accounts,[41] or at least constructed from traditions that predate the Gospels.[42][43]