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

[St. SteVen]

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

[

 

[Eternally Grateful]

The first two choices seem to mean the same.

it can not contradicts. But it may appear too at times

To me, this is the one subject that makes me believe the Bible is the word of God. And should help us all

if we believe the Bible is the word of God. And is apart from the fact it is interpreted the best it can from its origional language. Then we should believe there is no contradiction, although it may appear to. And parts of it being misinterpreted may on the outside cause pause. But if we dig deeper we may see it is a scribal error or something (ie, a few places in the OT seem to be saying different numbers of the same event.)

so when we see what appears a contradiction. We should study hard. And resolve the appear at contradiction. When we come to the view that they no longer contradict. Most likely. We have the proper interpretation. if there remains a contradiction. We should deduce that we are not interpreting one of the psssages correctly and thus have the need to keep studying to resolve it

 

[Wick Stick]

The Bible contradicts itself quite a bit. I think you can divide the Old Testament into two groups:

• Books written by Prophets
• Books written by Priests

The prophets and priests don't get along. They disagree on important points, such as the necessity of animal sacrifices, the purpose for the Israelite king, the observance of feasts and sabbaths, the existence of the Temple as a permanent edifice, etc.

 

[Ronald Nolette]

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?
- 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

[

The bible contains no contradictions.

what it does contain is information we do not know that explains apparent contradictions, or like say in the synoptics, each gospel portrays different aspects of the crucifixion and resurrection .

 

[St. SteVen]

The bible contains no contradictions.

what it does contain is information we do not know that explains apparent contradictions, or like say in the synoptics, each gospel portrays different aspects of the crucifixion and resurrection .

When did the fig tree wither?
Immediately when Jesus cursed it, or over night?

• Matthew 21:19
  Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered.
  
  
• Matthew 21:20
  When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked.
  
  
• Mark 11:20
  In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots.
  
  
• Mark 11:21
  Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!”

[

 

[Wick Stick]

When did the fig tree wither?
Immediately when Jesus cursed it, or over night?

• Matthew 21:19
  Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered.
  
  
• Matthew 21:20
  When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked.
  
  
• Mark 11:20
  In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots.
  
  
• Mark 11:21
  Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!”

[

Who cares? No doctrine is affected by the timing of the tree's death.

Here's a bigger issue...

The first 7 chapters of Leviticus require a number of different animal sacrifices, for various sins, to appease God. Exodus contains a couple chapters about how God gave a specific design for the Israelite Tabernacle.

But the prophet Amos has God Himself saying that he HATES the Israelites' sacrifices, and that they were not devoted to Him, but for foreign gods, and even that the Tabernacle was for those foreign gods:

I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies. Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts. Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols. But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream. Have ye offered unto me sacrifices and offerings in the wilderness forty years, O house of Israel? But ye have borne the tabernacle of your Moloch and Chiun your images, the star of your god, which ye made to yourselves. (Amos 5)

 

[th1b.taylor]

The Word is a mystery to the lost man but, it is clear and bright to anyone indwelt b the Spirt of Yehovah.

 

[St. SteVen]

St. SteVen said:

When did the fig tree wither?
Immediately when Jesus cursed it, or over night?

• Matthew 21:19
  Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered.
  
  
• Matthew 21:20
  When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked.
  
  
• Mark 11:20
  In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots.
  
  
• Mark 11:21
  Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!”

Who cares? No doctrine is affected by the timing of the tree's death.

I agree.
The only issue is with those who insist that there are ZERO contradictions in the Bible.
They need to be honest.

[

 

[St. SteVen]

Here's a bigger issue...

The first 7 chapters of Leviticus require a number of different animal sacrifices, for various sins, to appease God. Exodus contains a couple chapters about how God gave a specific design for the Israelite Tabernacle.

But the prophet Amos has God Himself saying that he HATES the Israelites' sacrifices, and that they were not devoted to Him, but for foreign gods, and even that the Tabernacle was for those foreign gods:

I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies. Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts. Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols. But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream. Have ye offered unto me sacrifices and offerings in the wilderness forty years, O house of Israel? But ye have borne the tabernacle of your Moloch and Chiun your images, the star of your god, which ye made to yourselves. (Amos 5)

That's a very significant contradiction. What do conclude about that?

[

 

[St. SteVen]

The Word is a mystery to the lost man but, it is clear and bright to anyone indwelt b the Spirt of Yehovah.

When did the fig tree wither?
Immediately when Jesus cursed it, or over night?

• Matthew 21:19
  Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered.
  
  
• Matthew 21:20
  When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked.
  
  
• Mark 11:20
  In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots.
  
  
• Mark 11:21
  Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!”

[

 

[talons]

Who cares? No doctrine is affected by the timing of the tree's death.

Here's a bigger issue...

The first 7 chapters of Leviticus require a number of different animal sacrifices, for various sins, to appease God. Exodus contains a couple chapters about how God gave a specific design for the Israelite Tabernacle.

But the prophet Amos has God Himself saying that he HATES the Israelites' sacrifices, and that they were not devoted to Him, but for foreign gods, and even that the Tabernacle was for those foreign gods:

I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies. Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts. Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols. But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream. Have ye offered unto me sacrifices and offerings in the wilderness forty years, O house of Israel? But ye have borne the tabernacle of your Moloch and Chiun your images, the star of your god, which ye made to yourselves. (Amos 5)

God judges the action of the heart , the Israelites hearts were not in the right place in Amos 5 . Their offerings were of a ritualistic nature and they were not worshiping God from the heart .

 

[talons]

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?
- 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

[

One thing to think about is the Bible is it comprises 66 different books from different time periods , different authors and different languages . The Bible has also been translated to your language of choice by many , many translators . The inspired Word of God as authored long ago has came through many filters to appear now on the pages of the bible but the message is still delivered .
The small contradictions are small indeed and it shows the humanity that went into the bible .

 

[St. SteVen]

One thing to think about is the Bible is it comprises 66 different books from different time periods , different authors and different languages . The Bible has also been translated to your language of choice by many , many translators . The inspired Word of God as authored long ago has came through many filters to appear now on the pages of the bible but the message is still delivered .
The small contradictions are small indeed and it shows the humanity that went into the bible .

I agree.
I want those who claim ZERO contradictions to be honest about this.
The Bible is not destroyed by its contradictions. As you say, "the message is still delivered ."

[

 

[Wick Stick]

God judges the action of the heart , the Israelites hearts were not in the right place in Amos 5 . Their offerings were of a ritualistic nature and they were not worshiping God from the heart .

Amos is talking about the Israelites during the Exodus under Moses. Not the people of his current day.

 

[Eternally Grateful]

The Bible contradicts itself quite a bit. I think you can divide the Old Testament into two groups:

• Books written by Prophets
• Books written by Priests

The prophets and priests don't get along. They disagree on important points, such as the necessity of animal sacrifices, the purpose for the Israelite king, the observance of feasts and sabbaths, the existence of the Temple as a permanent edifice, etc.

Then by defenition the Bible can not be trusted. And the Bible can not do what God said it would do.

if I believed this, i would find another religion. I am being honest. Why follow a God who can not even get his word correct without being full of mistakes

 

[Behold]

- Is it even possible that the Bible could contradict itself?

A Bible , a real one, is not every book with that Title on it.

So, when these are used as Bibles, and when a person does not understand that not all books that have the title "BIBLE", are actually valid, then you have confusion.
And that is one of the man reasons there are 45,000 denominations and only ONE Body of Christ, and its not the Catholic Church, tho their demonic bible, disagrees.....

So, all of that is a work of the Devil, and He understands that if you have 4000 versions, and 8 are really authentic, then you have 3992 ways to confuse Christianity.

He been doing that for a long time.
In fact the DEVIL is the first bible corrector.. of the word of God.......When He told EVE.....>"come on, did God really MEAN THAT (say that).."""

Now Satan does this, with "new" Bible Versions... as they dont all speak the same.... and that is no different then "come on, did God really say that".

 

[Eternally Grateful]

When did the fig tree wither?
Immediately when Jesus cursed it, or over night?

• Matthew 21:19
  Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered.
  
  
• Matthew 21:20
  When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked.
  
  
• Mark 11:20
  In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots.
  
  
• Mark 11:21
  Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!”

[

It withered immdiately

in chapter 11. There is no response that the fig tree withered immediately or not. So we can not get front he text whether it did. Or even that they saw it (it said they heard him say it, it does nto see they saw it)

Matt 21 is another account of what happened. Only this time matthew gave more information that mark did nto give.

no contradiction. Only a perceived one..

 

[Eternally Grateful]

Who cares? No doctrine is affected by the timing of the tree's death.

Here's a bigger issue...

The first 7 chapters of Leviticus require a number of different animal sacrifices, for various sins, to appease God. Exodus contains a couple chapters about how God gave a specific design for the Israelite Tabernacle.

But the prophet Amos has God Himself saying that he HATES the Israelites' sacrifices, and that they were not devoted to Him, but for foreign gods, and even that the Tabernacle was for those foreign gods:

I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies. Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts. Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols. But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream. Have ye offered unto me sacrifices and offerings in the wilderness forty years, O house of Israel? But ye have borne the tabernacle of your Moloch and Chiun your images, the star of your god, which ye made to yourselves. (Amos 5)

See what I mean

what is the context of Amos. Why did God reject their sacrifices. Was it not because of their sin.

once again, No contradiction at all

only a perceived contradiction which can be immediately responded just by looking at the context.

 

[Eternally Grateful]

That's a very significant contradiction. What do conclude about that?

[

There is no contradiction

what we can can conclude is that due to the extreme sin of Israel and their rejection. God did not recieve their sacrifices as payment for sin.

Also remember the book of hebrews, the blood of bulls and goats could never take away sin, that is why jesus came to die. The true lamb of God

 

[Eternally Grateful]

God judges the action of the heart , the Israelites hearts were not in the right place in Amos 5 . Their offerings were of a ritualistic nature and they were not worshiping God from the heart .

Bingo..

context resolved the appearance of a contradiction