Can the Bible contain mistakes?

[Wynona]

Having just one church that is wrong and kills everybody with a different opinion is not better than having free "thousands of churches" (actually, it is like five with different names or minor details differences) splits.

I'm not sure that's an accurate depiction of Catholicism. Or even every Catholic during that time period.

Protestants have also killed Catholics in religious wars when in power.

Im not Catholic but the Catholic Church has produced a lot of good in society like the concept of hospitals, monks producing innovation in medicine, care for the poor, orphans, and widows. They'll even pay your light bill at times. Its not as simple as Catholics bad, Protestants good.

 

[GRACE ambassador]

Mistakes in God's Word Of Truth (AV)?
No, or else it is a "Lie", Correct?

1) Believe It, And "Handle It Properly"

2) Study prayerfully/ Carefully depending On The Blessed Teacher, According to Bible study Rules

3) If one just started reading It, Then Simply Ask God for His Grace, Peace, Mercy, And Love

and then "walk In His Wonderful Grace!" ​

​

Amen.

 

[bdavidc]

Are you sure the prophet didn't add his personal opinions to it?

Is a villain born evil?
If so, why does the Old Testament contain passages that suggest villains are inherently such?

God said he made all things in,good.

Scripture is very clear on this topic. God never made anyone evil. “God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good” ~Genesis 1:31. Evil did not originate from God. Evil entered the world when mankind chose to rebel. “Through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin” ~Romans 5:12. Because of this all men born after this time are born with a sinful nature, which is why Scripture says “the intention of man’s heart is evil from his youth” ~Genesis 8:21. This does not mean God made villains. It means sin corrupted what God created. Scripture is also clear that the prophets did not insert their own opinions into God’s revelation. “No prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man” ~2 Peter 1:20-21. Their words were not their own. The Holy Spirit used them. God Himself was the author. To suggest that the prophets added personal thoughts is to go against what God says about how His Word was given. If truth is what you desire then listen to what God has said. His Word is pure, His character is righteous and the problem has always been man’s sin, not God’s creation or His prophets.

 

[bdavidc]

To be fair, there's really only two types of Christianity: traditional and Protestant.

The Orthodox Church is the oldest. Catholicism branched off from them. The main difference being Catholics believe in a Pope. From there, Protestants sought to fix issues in Catholicism and from Protestantism splintered off thousands of denominations within it. Orthodox and Catholic have stayed largely the same over centuries.

The reason why there's so many different types of Protestantism is because they emphasize that anyone can interpret the Bible for themselves and come to the right conclusions. But interpretation being left up to individuals often leads to churches splitting and splintering under various names. Cults, too.

The main thing Protestants believe are faith alone, by grace alone, for the glory of God alone, and Scripture alone. Catholics and Orthodox dont believe in faith alone. They believe you need faith and works for salvation. They believe Scripture interpretation should be checked by tradition.

Orthodoxy and Catholicism are like the much older brothers with Protestantism being like a wild, rogue, younger one that distrust authority.

Scripture provides none of the categories you are using. The Bible never divides God’s people into “traditional,” “Orthodox,” “Catholic,” or “Protestant.” Those labels come from man, not from God. The only division God recognizes is this: those who belong to Christ and those who do not. Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” ~John 10:27. Scripture draws the line at truth, not at human groups.

Your entire explanation is built on man’s structures, not Scripture. The Bible never teaches that authority comes from an institution. Jesus said, “Sanctify them by Your truth; Your word is truth” ~John 17:17. The standard is always the Word God breathed out, not a system men built later. “Do not go beyond what is written” ~1 Corinthians 4:6. That means Scripture judges all claims, and no tradition has authority to override it.

You also misrepresent the issue of interpretation. Scripture does not say believers may invent their own meanings. It says Scripture is understandable, and God gives light through His Word. “The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple” ~Psalm 119:130. Jesus never said truth comes through institutions or councils. He said the Spirit guides His people into all truth ~John 16:13 and that His Word cannot be broken ~John 10:35.

Your claim about faith and works contradicts Scripture. The Bible says salvation is “by grace… through faith… not of works” ~Ephesians 2:8-9. It also says, “To the one who does not work but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness” ~Romans 4:5. Works follow salvation, but they do not contribute to it. That is the consistent teaching from Genesis to Revelation.

And calling those who hold to Scripture “wild” or “rogue” is simply unbiblical. Scripture commands believers to test everything by the Word ~1 Thessalonians 5:21. That is not distrust of authority. That is obedience to God. The Bereans were called noble because they examined Scripture daily to see if teaching was true ~Acts 17:11.

So here is the simple truth from the Bible:
• God recognizes His people by faith in Christ, not by institutional labels.
• Scripture is the final authority because it is God breathed.
• Salvation is by grace through faith, not by a mixture of faith and works.
• Truth is revealed in Scripture through the Spirit, not through tradition.

If you want a biblical framework, you must use the categories God gives, not the ones men invented.

 

[bdavidc]

I'm not sure that's an accurate depiction of Catholicism. Or even every Catholic during that time period.

Protestants have also killed Catholics in religious wars when in power.

Im not Catholic but the Catholic Church has produced a lot of good in society like the concept of hospitals, monks producing innovation in medicine, care for the poor, orphans, and widows. They'll even pay your light bill at times. Its not as simple as Catholics bad, Protestants good.

What you said does not sound like Christianity to me. Christianity is not defined by what certain groups have done in society. Scripture tells us salvation is “by grace… through faith… not of works” ~Ephesians 2:8-9. Good works, charity, or social service can never get anyone to heaven. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life” ~John 14:6. Truth is measured by His Word and not by human history.

The issue is not Catholics vs. Protestants. The issue is whether or not a teaching line up with Scripture. “Your word is truth” ~John 17:17. Just pointing to good works and helpful programs does not make doctrine right. Unbelievers can produce outward good as well. But Jesus said there will be many with impressive “works” who will hear, “I never knew you” ~Matthew 7:22-23.

So let’s stay focused on what Christianity actually is: believing the gospel God revealed; not trusting in institutions or human accomplishments. If it does not line up with Scripture, it does not line up with biblical truth.

 

[Wynona]

Scripture provides none of the categories you are using. The Bible never divides God’s people into “traditional,” “Orthodox,” “Catholic,” or “Protestant.” Those labels come from man, not from God. The only division God recognizes is this: those who belong to Christ and those who do not. Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” ~John 10:27. Scripture draws the line at truth, not at human groups.

Your entire explanation is built on man’s structures, not Scripture. The Bible never teaches that authority comes from an institution. Jesus said, “Sanctify them by Your truth; Your word is truth” ~John 17:17. The standard is always the Word God breathed out, not a system men built later. “Do not go beyond what is written” ~1 Corinthians 4:6. That means Scripture judges all claims, and no tradition has authority to override it.

You also misrepresent the issue of interpretation. Scripture does not say believers may invent their own meanings. It says Scripture is understandable, and God gives light through His Word. “The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple” ~Psalm 119:130. Jesus never said truth comes through institutions or councils. He said the Spirit guides His people into all truth ~John 16:13 and that His Word cannot be broken ~John 10:35.

Your claim about faith and works contradicts Scripture. The Bible says salvation is “by grace… through faith… not of works” ~Ephesians 2:8-9. It also says, “To the one who does not work but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness” ~Romans 4:5. Works follow salvation, but they do not contribute to it. That is the consistent teaching from Genesis to Revelation.

And calling those who hold to Scripture “wild” or “rogue” is simply unbiblical. Scripture commands believers to test everything by the Word ~1 Thessalonians 5:21. That is not distrust of authority. That is obedience to God. The Bereans were called noble because they examined Scripture daily to see if teaching was true ~Acts 17:11.

So here is the simple truth from the Bible:
• God recognizes His people by faith in Christ, not by institutional labels.
• Scripture is the final authority because it is God breathed.
• Salvation is by grace through faith, not by a mixture of faith and works.
• Truth is revealed in Scripture through the Spirit, not through tradition.

If you want a biblical framework, you must use the categories God gives, not the ones men invented.

Im not trying to discuss theology. Only history to answer the OP's question on why there's so many denominations.

 

[ProverbsInPink]

You are not speaking with the voice of Scripture.

You are speaking as someone who is not well read or has studied how the Bible came to exist.
See below.

Startpage Search Results

"Startpage.com - The world's most private search engine"

www.startpage.com

You might want to look around and see there are many,many, versions.

You are speaking against it.

False.

When you claim the Bible is “man made,” you are denying what God Himself has said about His own Word. That is not a small error. That is rejecting the very foundation of truth.

Scripture does not call itself a human book. God says, “All Scripture is God breathed” ~2 Timothy 3:16. Either God breathed it, or He didn’t. There is no middle ground. When you say man “changed it,” you are calling God a weak author who cannot preserve what He breathed out. But Scripture says, “The words of the Lord are pure words” ~Psalm 12:6 and that He “preserves them forever” ~Psalm 12:7. God is not powerless. His Word stands because He upholds it.

You also twisted John 1. “The Word was God” ~John 1:1 does not mean the written Word is man-made. It means Jesus is the eternal Word made flesh ~John 1:14. The same Jesus who is the living Word is the One who affirmed the written Word. He said, “Thy word is truth” ~John 17:17. He said, “The Scripture cannot be broken” ~John 10:35. You are contradicting the Christ you claim to follow.

You said the Bible is “man seeking control of man.” That is the language of unbelief, not the Spirit of God. Scripture says, “Holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” ~2 Peter 1:21. The source is the Spirit, not human control. When someone calls God’s inspired Word a tool of human power, they are speaking against the Spirit who gave it.

You said God is Spirit and must be worshipped in Spirit. Jesus said that too ~John 4:24. But worshipping in Spirit never replaces obedience to the Word God has spoken. In fact, the Spirit and the Word never separate. Jesus said the Spirit “will bring to your remembrance all things that I have said to you” ~John 14:26. The Spirit confirms Scripture. He does not contradict it.

Your question, “Must you believe in Him by first believing what is written on paper?” has a simple answer. Yes. God commands it. “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” ~Romans 10:17. You cannot know the true God while rejecting the Word He gave to reveal Himself.

So let’s be clear.
If you deny the inspiration of Scripture, you deny the God who breathed it.
If you call His Word man-made, you set yourself against the truth.
If you claim the Bible is unreliable, you call God a liar, because He said He preserves His Word forever.

You are not defending truth. You are attacking the foundation of truth. The Spirit of God does not lead anyone to reject Scripture. The god of this world does ~2 Corinthians 4:4.

If you want freedom, Jesus said where it comes from.
“You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” ~John 8:32.
But rejecting the Word that God calls “truth” will never lead you there.

Watch your mouth!

I never rejected God's truth. You're ignorant of the Bibles history.
That doesn't mean those that know that history reject God.
Thinking it does mean that just compounds your lack of understanding.

 

[bdavidc]

You are speaking as someone who is not well read or has studied how the Bible came to exist.
See below.

Startpage Search Results

"Startpage.com - The world's most private search engine"

www.startpage.com

You might want to look around and see there are many,many, versions.


False.


Watch your mouth!

I never rejected God's truth. You're ignorant of the Bibles history.
That doesn't mean those that know that history reject God.
Thinking it does mean that just compounds your lack of understanding.

You can accuse me of anything you like, but you cannot accuse Scripture of being vague. Your answers are not from the Word. They are from the premise that the Bible is partly man’s word and partly God’s, and therefore subject to fallible human interpretations unless you have some person study history to tell you what it should mean. Scripture never teaches that. That is where you start in error. You stated there are “many versions” and implied that meant the Bible is man’s word, but the fact of translations does not change what God has said about His own Word. God never said, “My Word is man’s attempt to reach Me.” He said, “All Scripture is God breathed” ~2 Timothy 3:16. It is either breathed by God or it is not. If it is breathed by God, then it is not a tool of human control as you have claimed. And if it is not, then Jesus was wrong when He said “Thy word is truth” ~John 17: 17 and “the Scripture cannot be broken” ~John 10:35.

You claim I am “ignorant of the Bible’s history,” but you are ignoring the Bible’s own testimony about itself. I believe God exactly as He has revealed Himself in His Word, not as men have tried to rewrite history to make the Bible say something else. My faith is in what God said, not on man’s theories. Scripture says all Scripture is God breathed ~2 Timothy 3: 16 and that His words are pure and will be preserved forever ~Psalm 12:6-7. When man’s stories conflict with God’s Word, I will always stay with the truth God breathed. Scripture says the origin of what was written is the Holy Spirit. “Holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” ~2 Peter 1:21. That refutes the idea that Scripture is man controlling man. You are opposing what God has said about His own Word.

You said that to know how the Bible came to exist doesn’t mean that someone rejects God, and that is true. But to say the Bible is man-made or was altered by men or is used by men as a tool of control, does absolutely reject what God says about the purity and preservation of His Word. “The words of the Lord are pure words” and “Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, Thou shalt preserve them from this generation forever” ~Psalm 12:6-7. God does not inspire what He will not preserve. That is His own declaration.

You shifted your response from words to emotion. “Watch your mouth,” “you’re ignorant,” “you lack understanding.” But all of that is not answering the Scriptures presented to you. None of that is addressing the clear declarations God made about His own Word. Attacking me is not refuting the text.

So it is a simple matter. You said the Bible is man-made, but Scripture says it is God breathed ~2 Timothy 3:16 and both cannot be true. You said the Bible is a tool of human control, yet Scripture says the Holy Spirit moved holy men to write ~2 Peter 1:21 and both cannot be true. You pointed to “many versions” as if that showed corruption, but Scripture says God preserves His Word forever ~Psalm 12:6-7 and both cannot be true.

It is not a history issue. It is a believing or rejecting what God has spoken. If you want to say you have not rejected God’s truth, then stand in agreement with what He says, not with arguments that contradict the Word He calls truth ~John 17:17.

 

[bdavidc]

You might want to look around and see there are many,many, versions.

Well, I took your advice and looked around, wondering why you don't believe the bible, and found the following.

The reason you can not believe what the Bible plainly teaches is because the link in your signature “The Church That Jesus Built” statement of faith from your website teaches things that have NOTHING to do with Scripture! If a system teaches soul sleep, the Holy Spirit is only a "power", Old Covenant laws bind Christians, and humans will eventually become spirit like God, then it did not come from the Word that God breathed. Scripture says "All Scripture is God breathed" ~2 Timothy 3: 16, His words are pure and last forever ~Psalm 12:6-7. It says the Holy Spirit is a Person who speaks and wills ~1 Corinthians 12: 11, the soul does not perish with the body ~Matthew 10:28, believers are away from the body and with the Lord ~2 Corinthians 5:8, and food laws and sabbath are shadows that are fulfilled in Christ ~Colossians 2:16-17. When I look at what your church teaches and compare it to the Bible, they don't line up. That is why I stand with the Scripture alone, not doctrines that stand in direct opposition to what God has said.

 

[Ronald David Bruno]

First, you say translation variations mean doctrines might look unclear.

There you go again. A slight variation _ I said _ in the manuscripts have proven that doctrines are not effected.

Second, you claim certain Scriptures are unclear to all believers

When you became a Christian, were all the scriptures understood to you? Wow, a spiritual Einstein.
I'm done, you are an iconoclast. You have a way of draining one's grace and peace. Bye.

 

[bdavidc]

There you go again. A slight variation _ I said _ in the manuscripts have proven that doctrines are not effected.

When you became a Christian, were all the scriptures understood to you? Wow, a spiritual Einstein.
I'm done, you are an iconoclast. You have a way of draining one's grace and peace. Bye.

You corrected nothing I said. You only shifted your wording and dodged the actual point. You keep pretending your claim changed, but the problem is still the same. You keep using “slight variations” in manuscripts as an excuse to avoid what Scripture plainly teaches. God already said His Word is pure and preserved ~Psalm 12:6. God does not produce a message that leaves His people confused.

And your second answer only exposed your problem even more. Growing in understanding is not the same as Scripture being unclear. The Bible is clear. The issue is maturity, not the Word itself. “The entrance of Your words gives light” ~Psalm 119:130. God does not give a dark Word that requires special insiders to decode it. He gives light.

Your sarcasm about “spiritual Einstein” is not an argument. It is a retreat. You cannot answer the Scriptures, so you fall back on insults. That is not grace or peace. That is avoidance. The Bible says the opposite about clarity. “His commandments are not burdensome” ~1 John 5:3. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” ~Psalm 119:105. Light is not unclear. Truth is not confusing. God is not the author of confusion ~1 Corinthians 14:33.

Calling me an “iconoclast” does not remove your responsibility to handle the Word rightly. If you are done, then be done. But do not pretend that running from Scripture somehow proves your point. It only proves you do not have one.

 

[GRACE ambassador]

God already said His Word is pure and preserved ~Psalm 12:6. God does not produce a message that leaves His people confused.

 

[Jay Ross]

God already said His Word is pure and preserved ~Psalm 12:6. God does not produce a message that leaves His people confused.

Tell that to the people who have confused what they have read in the scriptures with their non rational thinking.

For example, peoples' understanding of the entity type of the beasts of the field and how these beasts operate.

 

[One 2 question]

In other words the meaning of ALL bible scripture must be in accord with the words of Jesus, No other interpretation is permitted as they would bring people away from God and not closer.

When you use the term, bible scripture, are you trying to make the distinction between the scriptures as a whole and the scriptures that made their way into the bibles? Why I say bibles, because some have less scriptures, 66 books while others have 73 and others 80 plus.

The facts show that the Bible and scripture are not strictly the same, although the terms are often used interchangeably within Christianity. "Scripture" is a broader term for sacred writings, while "Bible" refers to a specific collection of these writings that has been canonized by a particular religious group.

 

[LoveYeshua]

When you use the term, bible scripture, are you trying to make the distinction between the scriptures as a whole and the scriptures that made their way into the bibles? Why I say bibles, because some have less scriptures, 66 books while others have 73 and others 80 plus.

The facts show that the Bible and scripture are not strictly the same, although the terms are often used interchangeably within Christianity. "Scripture" is a broader term for sacred writings, while "Bible" refers to a specific collection of these writings that has been canonized by a particular religious group.

yea I am quite aware, the bible teaches to have discernment, and to test all things. For people who have received the Holy Spirit they see the light of scripture, They know what if from God. 66 or 80 plus makes no difference for these people who Obey trust and do God's will.

 

[Grailhunter]

I'm not sure that's an accurate depiction of Catholicism. Or even every Catholic during that time period.

Protestants have also killed Catholics in religious wars when in power.

Im not Catholic but the Catholic Church has produced a lot of good in society like the concept of hospitals, monks producing innovation in medicine, care for the poor, orphans, and widows. They'll even pay your light bill at times. Its not as simple as Catholics bad, Protestants good.

The Catholic Church has a horrid history.....that would beat any horror flick or crime show. And in the past the Church did good but all that was forgotten due to its atrocities and corruption and false doctrines.
But but.....the Catholic Church's of today are much better, particularly your neighborhood Church. The Vatican is still messed up and due to their celibacy requirements keep in mind your Priest is likely very horny. So don't allow your women and children to be alone with them.

Of course not to say that any of that does not happen in protestant denominations. Its just that at this point the Catholic Priests are infamous for it.

My mom was Catholic and my dad was Southern Baptist. (Probably one of the reasons that I am a Theologian.)
My mom was attractive and worked at a Church/High School as a secretary and was approached for sex by a Priest.

She liked him and found the humor in it. He explained to her how hard it was to go without sex and said he would pray extra for her if she would have sex with him. She declined his offer and did not turn him in. I knew him when I was a teenager and he seemed like a good man and did great sermons.....so you can never tell you just have to be cautious.

 

[Ronald Nolette]

Can the Bible contain mistakes?

The Bible is the Word of God, meaning that the Holy Spirit has inspired men to write it.

However, is it completely perfect and devoid of any mistake or contradiction?

If the Bible is so clear and understandable, why are there so many church denominations? Why Christians don't agree on many things about religion?

Some Christians say that we need to pray to God so that He send us His Holy Spirit who helps us interpret the Bible. However, what does that mean? If several Christians studying the Bible, ask God for discernment, but they finally have opposite interpretations, what can we really conclude?

As a Christian, can we widely reinterpret or even deny certain biblical verses?

All bibles 9wit the exception of cult written bibles) are free of doctrinal errors.

No we are forbidden from reinterpreting verses. We can apply verses but not reinterpret them.

The reason there are so many denominations, is because men have relied on their opinion of the bible instead of the Bible as given us, thus new sects were born.

 

[One 2 question]

yea I am quite aware, the bible teaches to have discernment, and to test all things. For people who have received the Holy Spirit they see the light of scripture, They know what if from God. 66 or 80 plus makes no difference for these people who Obey trust and do God's will.

Sorry if I stated the obvious re. The bible only contains a percentage of ALL scripture that Paul refered to.

2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

People on this forum have attempted to try and convince others that ALL SCRIPTURE is contained in the bibles.

I just wasn't sure if you were one of these that's all. I'm glad the Spirit gave you this discernment to see this lie for what it is.

 

[One 2 question]

All bibles 9wit the exception of cult written bibles) are free of doctrinal errors.

You may be right

No we are forbidden from reinterpreting verses. We can apply verses but not reinterpret them.

What about Jesus's parables? Didn't He want people to interpret them whenever He gave no interpretation.

The Parable of the Mustard Seed (Matthew 13:31–32; also in Mark and Luke)
The Parable of the Leaven (or Yeast, Matthew 13:33; also in Luke)
The Parable of the Hidden Treasure (Matthew 13:44)
The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price (Matthew 13:45–46)

The reason there are so many denominations, is because men have relied on their opinion of the bible instead of the Bible as given us, thus new sects were born.

How do you suggest that every follower of Jesus become of one mind and purpose? Can all these denominations unite?

 

[One 2 question]

The reason there are so many denominations, is because men have relied on their opinion of the bible instead of the Bible as given us, thus new sects were born.

Just another thought. People say that the bible has been perfectly preserved by God and is trustworthy.

So Human kind -
1. who the Spirit carried along and gave revelations to.
2. who compiled the various bibles with various content
3. who translated them into many languages
5. who make up the members of the many denominations in the world.

If it was God Who preserved His revelations over thousands of years, can't the same God preserve His own people, Israel and Jesus people, the church?