About the Bible.....?

Question

If it is God's word why are there so many contradictions and untrue statements, like that the Earth is flat and everything else revolves around it.

"take the earth by the EDGES and shake the wicked out of it" (Job 38:12-13)

"The Lord reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the Lord is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is stabilised, that it cannot be MOVED" (Psalms 93:1)

Answer 1

You expect the authors of the Bible to possess knowledge of astronomy 2500 years before anyone else? The Bible was written by human beings using the limited vocabulary and understanding of their day. Aren't all books written like that?

I assume that your response will be, "Well, if it's written just like any other book, then how can it be God's Word?" Excellent point. Those who idolize the Bible - who base their faith not in the blood of Christ, but in the semantics of an ancient book - cannot account for the many contradictions between it and more recent intellectual discoveries and developments.

The Bible is a collection of writings of men who have been inspired by their faith in the one true God to record the history of their people's relationship with the Divine. These men were not simply the scribes of the Lord who simply wrote down word-for-word what God dictated. Rather, based upon their experiences of God both individually and collectively as a nation, they wrote poems, historical accounts, and prophecies in an attempt to make sense of that which cannot fully be comprehended: God.

Even though the Bible is not the literal Word of God, it is an extremely important work, because our society is but a continuation, a new chapter, in this long history of God and his people.

Answer 2

If it says this in the bible then quote it. Stop spreading ignorant rumors.

As far as the bible as a whole, MOST so called contradictions or not contradictions at all when examined within context, keeping in Mind the origin of that portion of the bible who it was written to and why as well as when necessary checking the original Hebrew a Greek word ( not relying solely on translation)

When dealing with historical events like the specific details of the Crucifixion of Christ there are some inconsistencies but no more then there would be in 4 independently written historical documents regarding any other event.

As a matter of fact I believe this inconsistencies actually give validity to the bible. Many believe the bible has been "doctored" if this were the case why didn't the fix these differences in accounts?



Response to the verse you quoted


"take the earth by the EDGES and shake the wicked out of it" (Job 38:12-13)

"The Lord reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the Lord is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is stabilized, that it cannot be MOVED" (Psalms 93:1)


As far as Job 38:12-13 the Hebrew word "kanaph" that is translated EDGES in the NIV actually means "Extremity"

Sphere's do have extreme "ends" so this doesn't imply a flat earth.

the Palms passage says nothing about everything revolving around it.

The word Hebrew word translated to Moved is "Mot" which means To totter, shake, slip

Something in orbit can move off it's orbit, it might without gravity or the sun and other planets STABLIZING the earth, the earth might slip, shake or totter out of orbit.

As you can see if studied properly many of these apparent inaccuracies can be reconciled.

Answer 3

Alot has been said for a long time concerning what seems to be contradictions in the Bible. At first, things do seem to contradict but if you study deeper, you will find that this is not the case. One of the things people leave out in regard to the Bible is fairness. We shouldn't minimize or exaggerate the problem, and we should always begin by giving the author the benefit of the doubt. This is the rule in other literature, and it should be the rule here. So often, people want to emply a different set of rules when it comes to examining the Bible, and this is objectionable!

When facing contradictions, it's really important to remember that 2 statements may differ from each other without being contradictory. Some people don't make a distinction between contradiction and difference.

Some of the contradictions or difficulties in Scripture result from our inadequate knowledge about the circumstances, and don't necessarily involve an error. This only proves we're ignorant of the background.

While all Bible difficulties and discrepancies haven't been cleared up, it's my firm conviction that as more knowledge is gained of the Bible's past, these problems fade. The biblical conception of God is an all-knowing, all-powerful being who does not contradict Himself, and I feel that His Word, when properly understood, does not contradict itself.

Answer 4

You have to be careful and understand what each book is. You can't read the entire thing and see a contradiction book to book, and just assume there is a contradiction without looking back at history, audience, context, and so forth...

Some of the books Ecclesiasties for instance is in a literary style that uses contradictions to demonstrate apparent mysteries.

Answer 5

You obviously know very little about the bible. There is no such statement about a flat earth. As to contradictions, this comes from a lack of understanding, as well.
Try this link if you want help.

Answer 6

No Contradictions exist,s only those who do not understand the Bible and take verses out of context to make it mean what they want to put forth their point of view that makes them "feel Good"
The most important thing about interpreting the Bible is context. but those who do not believe and simply want to find ways to make the bible look bad will never understand it. In 1st Cor 2;14 is says,1Cr 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned.

Answer 7

Heaven is in a different demintion.
Read flatland by Edwin Abbott Abbott

From heaven the earth can be seen as being very flat, all sides seen at once and may even have corners.

Answer 8

In order for the bible to work, there has to be contradictions. Everything is made of contradictions. Prove me wrong, and you'll be proving me right.

Except when you least expect it, everything has a reflection. So only one is real. The other is an illusion.

Answer 9

The Bible does not contradict itself.
Ideas and doctrine make it seem so.
Inaccurate Bibles like the King James also contradict itself.

Answer 10

The alledged contradictions and errors are non existant or few and far between. The main message of scripture is consistent across all translations, the difference are not relevant to its message.