A question for those who read the bible (old testament)?

Question

How do you reconcile the contradictions in the Bible? For example:

The sixth commandment says you shall not commit murder, yet David slew Goliath. Did he sin?
How can religious ministers take paid roles in the armed services?

Just interested in your views.

esther9364622 I don't have a clue what you are talking about.

For the rest of you - what you are saying is that war is just if you are in the right. So define "In the right". How do we know the Israelites where not the provocateurs in this spat with the Philistines?

No, I am not a liberal, far from it in fact. However, I do rail against hypocrasy.

zurioluchi - very clever. Now answer the question.

Answer 1

Kill is not always murder.

Answer 2

How do you reconcile the contradictions in the Bible? The Bible is a collection of writings from different people in different time periods under different sets of circumstances. As we look at the Biblical writings from a chronological perspective and in the light of political and historical facts, we often see theology and worldviews evolving and becoming refined. For example, note the "evolving" of the persona of God through the pages of the Old Testament and then into the New--from an immediate, localized being who walks in the garden to a more transcendent remote entity. Note the development of the idea of corporate responsibility for sins shifting in the books of prophets- -Ezekiel 18 firmly places responsibility for sin on individuals rather than nation, a departure from earlier views.

Well, this is one example of a contradiction. Actually there are others, some explainable and some not. A lot could be written here on this, but....

Let's move on to the commandment on murder. Originally the idea behind this commandment was about ending the custom/obligation of blood feuds. That is, in the past, there was a moral/tribal obligation to slay the member of another family in revenge should that family slay one of yours. Later as translations develop, this commandment begins to become very generalized to all murders and ultimately it becomes universalized to include all killing, such as the killing of a mosquito. Some forms of killing do appear to be acceptable in the Bible, such as defense of self and killing in war --in defense of one's homeland.

Paid roles in the armed services? This question is a little confusing --are you asking whether military chaplains should be paid? I would say that they spend quite a bit of money getting trained professionally just like doctors or lawyers and therefore like anyone else need to be paid so they can eat and pay the bills. But if are you asking instead whether a minister can or should be employed in military endeavors, this is really a tough question.
To me, this is a denominational matter. Some denominations have taken a very firm stance against any involvement in military efforts. Other denominations seem quite supportive of warfare as a necessary part of defending a country and those ministers would have no trouble engaging in this kind of activity.

The bigger issue is that ministers paid or unpaid need to be in places of trouble, so that people who are injured, sad, troubled, despairing, dying and who need spiritual care can be taken care of.

Answer 3

There are no contradictions in the Bible! The Bible is the Word of God!
When David slew Goliath, the Nation of Israel was at war with the Philistines! Goliath caused great harm to the Israelites and he needed to be stopped! If David did not slay Goliath, Goliath would have slew David! This is what happens when nations and people are at war! Therefore David did not sin in this instant!
Ministers taking paid roles in the military is not even found in the Bible. But what the Bible says is that a man is worthy of his hire which means if ministers minister to people they ought to get paid!

Answer 4

Murder, the willful and wonton taking of the life of another, is condemned by the Bible. Killing in self defense, like what is done in a military at war, is not forbidden in the Word.

Goliath and the Philistines challenged the Israelites for many days before David finally went out and made his stand. Read the story for yourself.

Answer 5

*****A question for those who read the bible (old testament)? ******

OK,

****How do you reconcile the contradictions in the Bible? For example:The sixth commandment says you shall not commit murder, yet David slew Goliath. Did he sin?*****

ah aha,i don't have any thing to reconcile,if it a contradiction that's what i call it.
David did not sin, he killed some one in battle.

***How can religious ministers take paid roles in the armed services?****

Well, since they don't pay any more in cash, direct deposit or a check should work.

Answer 6

Since the God of the OT commands the Israelites to slaughter entire races he has no issue with killing in combat. Killing for personal reasons other than self defense is what the Bible classes as murder.

Answer 7

A war that is approved by the government (High court of 71, prophet if one exists, and king), or is to repel an invasion, or is directly commanded by G-d, makes it killing, not murder, which is allowed, in fact good.

Answer 8

Know what murder is.
It is to lie in wait to take life, because of hate, or gain!

To kill is not actually a sin.
By rights a minister should be in the heat of battle.

only a Liberal does not understand this, are you one?

Answer 9

murder means - when you don't tell some one the truth
about . like this if some one comes to you and said do you think
it is wrong for me to say be with a marred man and you say
oh it's o.k. will that would be to God like murder. because the
truth would have set them free. if you would have said No its a
sin. don't do it. even if thy get mad at you .it would eat them up
and it would set them free. do you see it ?

Answer 10

Perhaps if you read the entire book you would not need to depend on the answers of others. Which may or may not be correct.

Answer 11

i recognize I do... @Mathew: You did no longer answer the question... you basically spouted the party line... what do you think of concerning to the god of the previous testomony and his killing and in any different case immoral events that we'd condemn on the instant...