Garry Tinch Supporter

Answer: If we read the Bible at face value, without a preconceived bias for finding errors, we will find it to be a coherent, consistent, and relatively easy-to-understand book. Yes, there are difficult passages. Yes, there are verses that appear to contradict each other. We must remember that the Bible was written by approximately 40 different authors over a period of around 1500 years. Each writer wrote with a different style, from a different perspective, to a different audience, for a different purpose. We should expect some minor differences. However, a difference is not a contradiction. It is only an error if there is absolutely no conceivable way the verses or passages can be reconciled. Even if an answer is not available right now, that does not mean an answer does not exist. Many have found a supposed error in the Bible in relation to history or geography only to find out that the Bible is correct once further archaeological evidence is discovered. And might I just add a little wisdom, Pray for enlightenment from the Holy Spirit before we even open the Holy Bible as it says to do "FIRST"!

December 07 2017 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

BERTHA VILLA Supporter

In my opinion, when someone brings up contradictions in the bible. First, I would get as much information from that person to understand why he/she believes it is a contradiction. Then, if I don't have the answer right away, I would let him/her know that I will find a way to clarify his/her doubts. The word of God is powerful enough to defend itself. Here are some bible verses that I believe answer your question:
2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction.
Philippians 1:16 The latter (out of goodwill) do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.

December 07 2017 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jim Tumlinson Supporter One beggar leading others to where the bread is

That is a very good question because the bible seems to be full of contradictions. Many times when we see contradictions we seem to see them between the old an new testaments.
Sometimes we can see them in the new testament or what appears to be a contradiction. When we look deeper into what is being said we need to look at whom the writer is speaking, IE Jesus in the gospels was speaking to Jews not Christians. Given the context the entire contradiction will be turned to understanding and no longer a contradiction because it is now seen in context.
I myself have seen what appears to be contradictions in the bible, however I have come to the understanding that the Word of God is far more intriguing and deeper than any man can understand so I have drawn this conclusion;
the bible only contradicts our theology and religiosity. The bible is Gods word and He knows exactly what He is saying to us, it is just us not clearly understanding what is being said.
A good example is the movie Jungle to Jungle when the obligated scene is used. http://www.subzin.com/quotes/M1367990c3/Jungle+2+Jungle/What+means+%22obligated%22%3F

In my understanding of the bible when I see what appears to be a contradiction I simply chalk it up to "I don't have enough information or I don't understand the context of what is being said and or it is only contradicting my theology."

December 08 2017 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Frantz Philossaint Supporter

When it comes to contradiction in scriptures. One of the first questions I ask is "What bible version are you using?" The different version are being more and more watered down. For example, in the KJV Psalm 77:13 says "Thy Way O God is in the sanctuary." But if you read the NIV version in the same verse it says "Your ways God are holy.." This is a huge difference in meaning and it is doing away with the sanctuary message. Which is the tabernacle which God had Moses build in the wilderness (Exo 25:8) 

Now in 2 Peter 3:16 it does says that there are "some things hard to be understood..." But I always pray if there is a contradiction. It only means study more and asked God for wisdom. God does not contradict himself and He is not a God of confusion 1 Cor 14:33. Remember we must apply what Isaiah says in chapter 28:10 "For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little." I believe God will lead you to truth, if the person wants to know truth. Study the contradiction with the person if you don't know and always make sure to get back to the person and share your findings

Lastly "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:" 1 Peter 3:15. Please ready Proverbs 15:28 also. Blessings

December 14 2017 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Mark Vestal Supporter Proud of nothing of myself. Freed by Christ who did it all!

Consider the following when faced with verses that are confusing or seemingly contradictory:

1. God never changes, but His instructions to mankind change throughout the Bible.

2. Although the entire bible is written FOR US and profitable for instruction in righteousness (2 Tim 3:16), the entire Bible was not written directly TO US today.

3. We do not know who wrote the book of Hebrews. We can discern that it was NOT the apostle Paul based on the promise of Paul’s salutation being in each of his epistles (2 Thes 3:17). Paul’s salutation is found in each book of Romans through Philemon, but in Hebrews Paul’s salutation is found nowhere.

4. Israel fell as a nation by rejecting the Holy Ghost through the stoning of Stephen.

5. Paul was given the gospel of God’s grace as a result of Israel’s fall (Eph 3:2, Rom 11:11).

6. Gentiles had no hope of God without first going through Israel (Eph 2:12) prior to God revealing the hidden “mystery” gospel of His grace to Paul (Rom 16:25). 

7. Paul’s thirteen epistles ARE written directly to everyone living today.

8. Anyone who places their faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ based on Paul’s epistles become members of the church, the body of Christ (Col 1:24).

9. The body of Christ and God’s chosen nation Israel are two separate entities, each residing within the kingdom of God.

10. Israel’s prior sins were forgiven at the cross and Israel’s post-cross sins will be forgiven upon Christ’s return to earth (Acts 3:19).

11. However, ALL of our sins were forgiven (2 Cor 5:19-21), and salvation occurs at the moment of belief in this (1 Cor 15:1-4).

12. There remains a 7-year prophetic time period (outside of our nearly 2,000+ year current dispensation of God’s grace) that must occur (the tribulation) prior to the return of Christ and His millennial reign on earth.

13. Believers from the point of God’s administration to Paul and the point of being ‘caught away in the clouds’ (1 Thes 4:16-18) make up the church, which is the body of Christ, and are not appointed to the future wrath of God (1 Thes 5:9). “Comfort one another with these words”!

Keep these points in mind and then read Hebrews through Revelation with the realization that these ‘prophetic’ books concern Israel as a nation and not individuals today who make up the body of Christ during this ‘mystery’ dispensation. Also read Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John with this same understanding. 

Indeed remove the introduction of Paul in the second half of Acts and his thirteen epistles Romans through Philemon and you will find ZERO knowledge of salvation being the free unmerited gift of God’s grace through having faith alone in the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

National Israel has always anticipated the coming of their Messiah and promised earthly kingdom. That did not change when Paul was given the gospel of God’s grace for us today. Israel prior and after Paul still awaits their Messiah and earthly kingdom to come. If you read the Bible in this manner, much of the confusion and contradiction will cease. You will actually be studying the Bible in the manner that God commands us to:

2 Timothy 2:15
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Rightly dividing is the key to understanding the Bible. It is unfortunate that many "translations" of the Bible omit these 2 most important words of commandment from God. We must not take what was written to one group of people and assume that it is also God's instruction for us today.

Here’s an interesting question to ask someone who refuses to relent on “what the Bible says”:

If someone today were to be given only Paul’s thirteen epistles to read (Romans through Philemon), would they find enough information for salvation? If not, why?

May 18 2023 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report