What are some contradictions in the bible?

Question

Please post your examples of contradictions in the bible. I don't understand why people believe in it word for word when in one place it contradicts another. Obviously, one of them has to be wrong.

Answer 1

Scratch everything, I got it wrong the first time...

Why do people believe in twaddle when even a cursory glance would prove the bible is horsepucky?

1. It's easier not to think.

2. Many people are afraid of not knowing the answer, whether it's in school, at work, or anywhere. Lots of people would rather give a wrong answer just to have something to say, or worse, to pretend they know. The smartest people are not afraid to say, "I don't know".

3. "The slave thinks he is released from bondage only to find a stronger set of chains." It's easier to hand over responsibility for yourself and your life than it is to take it. One cannot make bad decisions if one gives up the right to make them. The religious choose to live in slavery.

-------------------

"Slave screams - he spends his life learning conformity
Slave screams - he claims he has his own identity
Slave screams - he's going to cause the system to fall
Slave screams - but he's glad to be chained to that wall

Don't open your eyes, you won't like what you see
The blind have been blessed with security
Don't open your eyes take it from me
I have found
You can find
Happiness in slavery"

- Nine Inch Nails, "Happiness in slavery"

Answer 2

Despite the lengthy lists you'll likely receive, there are no contradictions in the Bible. There may be things that seemingly contradict, but that is only due to misunderstanding. Things that critics tend to cite as "contradictions" are often very easy to explain...and some are rather ridiculous.

For example, if someone says that person A has three children while someone else says that A has ten. Can both statements correct?....is only one of them telling the truth?

Does (A = 3, A = 10)? That certainly appears to be a contradiction on the surface. However, that is only because we are surmising the facts based on limited data. That is; do we know that both "A" values exists in the same point of time and space? Is "A" an unchangeable absolute? Was the point of reference/context of the statement the same?

That is the case for most of the contrived "Biblical contradictions". Inclusion or omission of detail between sources does not constitute a contradiction.

Answer 3

There are no contradictions in the Bible because a contradiction is a lie and there are no lies in the Bible. However, sometimes because of writers style or the time they are writing from example the calendar they are using or the point of view they might record something that seems contrary but when you highlight the facts and the circumstances surrounding the situation it is clear what is being said or conveyed. The message of the Bible is Jesus and the saving power he brings. He came to die for us and that is clear across all chapters dispite different or seemingly contradictory statements.

Answer 4

Here's one of the famous ones, though it's very contentious:

"Thou shalt not kill [or murder]" - Deuteronemy 5:17

"Thus Joshua struck all the land, the hill country and the Negev and the lowland and the slopes and all their kings. He left no survivor, but he utterly destroyed all who breathed, just as the LORD, the God of Israel, had commanded." - Joshua 10:40

So on the one hand you have God ordering people not to commit Murder and on the other hand you have God ordering an act of Genocide (which most would argue is the same only alot worse). Now, this would seem to be a fairly open and shut case, but a quick read of this:

http://www.godandscience.org/apologetics/notkill.html

Will show you that it's anything but. Essentially there's a whole argument about the actual meaning of "to kill" (or the hebrew word ratsach, from which it is translated). Proponents of the bible argue that the word means "To intentionally kill without cause", therefore if God orders you to do it, you have cause and have not broken the commandment.

This theme is repeated, the bible (Mainly the Old Testament, Jesus wasn't big on the whole smiting the wicked thing) is pretty clear on the idea that it's okay to kill wicked and evil people. It happens frequently, from God killing everyone barr Noah and his family in the Flood, all the way to various crimes you should be put to death for commiting (i.e. Murder - Numbers 35:16-21, Witchcraft - Exodus 22:18, Blasphemy against God, Leviticus 24:16)

There are some contradictions between what the Old Testament says and what Jesus in the New Testament says. One big one is that God in the Old Testament says:

"Breach for breach, eye for eye, tooth for tooth: as he hath caused a blemish in a man, so shall it be done to him again." (Leviticus 24:20)

which is the cornerstone of the principle of retaliation (or the darkside of "Do unto others as they do unto you"), Jesus on the other hand:

"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, Do not resist one who is evil. But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also; and if any one would sue you and take your coat, let him have your cloak as well; and if any one forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to him who begs from you, and do not refuse him who would borrow from you. You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust." (Matthew 5:38:45)

Jesus is here openly and literally opposing the book of Leviticus. There are a few ways to approach this:

One is to say that this is a direct inconsistency, proof that (in Jesus' view) part of the old testament is wrong. This is clearly true, though it is widely accepted in this case that Jesus is specifically referring to the Christians' persecuters, most likely, the Romans, rather than making a general point. The Romans were known to be quite harsh on trouble makers, it's possible to say that the only reason Jesus said it was because he didn't want open war between Jews/Christians and the Empire.

Another view is to say that the New Testament is what Christianity truly rests on, and the fact that it contradicts the Old Testament is to be expected. Jesus was frequently at odds with the local Rabbis, who followed the old testament. Since the New Testament is the word of Jesus, it's to be expected that some of the arguments he had with the Jewish Authorities would spill into his books.

Anyways, at the end of the day, if you look hard enough, you can find lots of things in the Bible that are contradictory. Also, if you look hard enough, you can discover (or contrive) reasons as to why they're actually entirely consistent with each other. I'd avoid these arguments, if I were you, since in my experience it tends to come down to who knows more about the Bible. If you're anything like me, that person will be "the Christian" and you're pretty much doomed from the outset :)

Answer 5

There are many contradictions in the Bible. For instance, there are two creation stories in Genesis. The order of creation in the two stories varies and the first story refers to "gods" in the plural form, which is polytheistic going against a singular God theory. The second creation story is done in the singular form.

Also, the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John all quote Jesus as saying something different the moment before he died. Even the apostles argued and contradicted themselves. There is one scripture where Peter and Paul argue over whether Gentiles can receive the Holy Ghost. Ultimately, Paul wins the argument.

Answer 6

Actually, some of the contradictions are because the "rules" changed over time. Like how in one book it says what foods you shouldn't eat because they're unclean or something, and then later on there's a different list. (I've never actually read the Bible all the way through, so I can't exactly give locations of all this stuff heh.)

What I wonder is this. One part says "love thy neighbor" and then another part says something to the effect of "thou shalt not suffer a witch to live". My question is: what if your neighbor is a witch? "Oh yeah, I love you so much I'm gonna kill you!" Somehow that sounds a bit wrong to me. :P

Answer 7

The bible is full of misunderstood things, but that does not necessarily mean there is contradiction. People should trust the "True Church" to tell them the meanings of these things and stop building their own fanciful ideas. The Catholic Church was the only one to preserve this great literature through history, they are the only ones that can teach you it's true secrets. People always want to reinvent the wheel and tell the originator they know more, but the wheel still always comes out round.

Answer 8

You can find all manner of contradictions if you read the literal sense of the Word in a worldly and self-loving way. The literal sense of the Word contains, supports and protects the internal sense of the Word that deals solely with the Lord and the church.

Answer 9

There are many. Just a few:

I. The GENEALOGY OF JESUS?
In two places in the New Testament the genealogy of Jesus son of Mary is mentioned. Matthew 1:6-16 and Luke 3:23-31. Each gives the ancestors of Joseph the CLAIMED husband of Mary and Step father of Jesus. The first one starts from Abraham(verse 2) all the way down to Jesus. The second one from Jesus all the way back to Adam. The only common name to these two lists between David and Jesus is JOSEPH, How can this be true? and also How can Jesus have a genealogy when all Muslims and most Christians believe that Jesus had/has no father.

II. Can God be seen?
Exod. 24:9,10; Amos 9:1; Gen. 26:2; and John 14:9
Yes, God CAN be seen:
"And I will take away my hand, and thou shalt see my backparts." (Ex. 33:23)
"And the Lord spake to Moses face to face, as a man speaketh to his friend." (Ex. 33:11)
"For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved." (Gen. 32:30)

No, God CANNOT be seen:
"No man hath seen God at any time." (John 1:18)
"And he said, Thou canst not see my face; for there shall no man see me and live." (Ex. 33:20)
"Whom no man hath seen nor can see." (1 Tim. 6:16)

III. Judas died how?
One way here:"And he cast down the pieces of silver into the temple and departed, and went out and hanged himself." (Matt. 27:5)
Another way here: "And falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all of his bowels gushed out." (Acts 1:18)

Answer 10

This is a false dilemma. It assumes that no other answer can be found. Let me state two things. 1) The law of noncontradiction. If a statement contradicts itself, without qualification, it must be considered false. 2) If a plausible answer is found to qualify that statement, the accusation of a contradiction must go away. This is basic logic.