Does the Bible contradict itself? - Reader Poll (and discussion)

[Grailhunter]

In college we were given a list of 300 apparent contradictions. I posted them here once but they made me delete them.

They divided them up amongst the class with the assignment of explaining them.

Most could be explained….time period differences….conditions different….language differences....incorrect presumptions or beliefs….translational errors….

Some examples….The meaning of the word virgin got confused between the scriptures and the Septuagint and cultures and some believe that prophecy cannot change. That God cannot change His mind. When we can find stories of God being talked out of some things.

The biggest errors related to the scriptures….Earth is not flat….stars are suns and they do not fall to earth. Most Theologians see the creation of Earth and living things as God directed and controlled but the timeframe highly abbreviated.

 

[Jack]

Does the Bible contradict itself?​

Of course it does. Just ask stevie!

 

[Soyeong]

Discussion questions:
- Is it even possible that the Bible could contradict itself?
- Why would that be impossible?
- If it did contradict itself, would that be bad for the Bible?
- Does the Bible promise not to contradict itself?
- Would it be harmful to your faith if the Bible was found to be contradictory?
- Have you found some contradictions to discuss?

Atheists are not shy about discussing this subject. We could react to their claims.

contradictions in the bible list

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It depends on what qualifies as a contradiction. For example, one Gospel records an incident where a Centurion spoke to Jesus and another Gospel says that the Centurion sent a servant to speak to Jesus, so on one level that is a contradiction. However, a Centurion is a busy man who can’t be everywhere, so he needs to be able to send servants with the authority to speak and act on his behalf, especially in the days when they didn’t have instant communication, so one of the Gospels recognizes this and simply puts the words in the mouth of the Centurion. Agency is an important concept in the Bible. The Bible is also not always in chronological order, so again that can be a contradiction on one level but on another level the intent of the author was to make a point by juxtaposing two events. If the Bible said that it was in accordance with God’s righteousness to be a doer of charity and then later said that it is a sin to be a doer of charity, then that would be an example of a contradiction that would be problematic.

 

[St. SteVen]

It depends on what qualifies as a contradiction. For example, one Gospel records an incident where a Centurion spoke to Jesus and another Gospel says that the Centurion sent a servant to speak to Jesus, so on one level that is a contradiction. However, a Centurion is a busy man who can’t be everywhere, so he needs to be able to send servants with the authority to speak and act on his behalf, especially in the days when they didn’t have instant communication, so one of the Gospels recognizes this and simply puts the words in the mouth of the Centurion. Agency is an important concept in the Bible. The Bible is also not always in chronological order, so again that can be a contradiction on one level but on another level the intent of the author was to make a point by juxtaposing two events. If the Bible said that it was in accordance with God’s righteousness to be a doer of charity and then later said that it is a sin to be a doer of charity, then that would be an example of a contradiction that would be problematic.

Why is it so important to maintain that
there are no contradictions in the Bible?

Obviously, if one passage says that a Centurion spoke to Jesus and another Gospel says
that the Centurion sent a servant to speak to Jesus, that is a contradiction.

All eye witnesses do not always agree. No harm done.
But to suggest contradictions in reporting of things that
happened in the Bible is viewed as unacceptable. Why?

This topic is filled with dozens of workaround posts to deny contradictions.

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[HealthyShape]

In my experience, the supposed Biblical contradictions are really just apparent contradictions. There is always a plausible resolution to be had, even if it's impossible to always know the definitive answer.

In my experience, people are frequently offering absurd or even obviously silly explanations and believe that it is satisfactory.

 

[Hillsage]

I don't agree that Genesis 2:4 onwards is a second account of creation.

Then I would appreciate that you'd defend that position like I did with my quote of chapter 2:4.

I will also recommend that you google "Two accounts of Creation" and discredit every reference to the issue that real theologians have argued about for centuries. I first studied it about 30 (?) years ago, and the book I read it in came from a 7 page study written in 1885 by AP ADAMS. So you saying you don't agree is the reason for my signature line.

<><~~You can’t grasp what you can’t comprehend, you can’t comprehend what you aren’t familiar with~~><>

But even if it were, God had already pronounced everything that He had created "very good." There is nothing to change that until Genesis 3.

OK, you state a chapter with 24 verses, now state a verse that NEGATES Gen 2:4.
AND I'll state the fact that Adam was alone in chapter 1. Then we both might just debate WHY God never mentioned it?

I'll just quote Gen 2:4 again, from multiple interpretations, just so anyone new here doesn't have to chase their tail for no reason.

KJV GEN 2:18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
NAS GEN 2:18 Then the LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him."
RSV GEN 2:18 Then the LORD God said,"It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him."
YLT GEN 2:18 And Jehovah God saith, 'Not good for the man to be alone, I do make to him an helper - as his counterpart.'

Yes, I am sure that there have been soldiers who have been guilty of murder during a war. I suppose we would say that they are guilty of war crimes. As you say, it is a very difficult topic.

I've said for many decades that "The word of God is shallow enough that a 4 year old can have a bonafide born again experience, and it is deep enough that the greatest theologians have not plumbed its depths." And, for all those decades I thought the 'word of God' meant 'the bible'. It's only been recently that my personal opinion has been pushed again, forcing me to seek and hear His living word.

 

[St. SteVen]

"The word of God is shallow enough that a 4 year old can have a bonafide born again experience, and it is deep enough that the greatest theologians have not plumbed its depths."

Well said. Thanks.

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