For those that believe the bible is full of contradictions?

Question

http://www.carm.org/bible_difficulties.htm

Answer 1

Good link, here-and-now.
Here's another one:
http://www.bringyou.to/apologetics/bible.htm

First, it would be prudent to speak of the burden of proof. It's a general rule in philosophy that she who proposes must explain and defend. If someone says that "X exists," the burden is on her to provide a case for the existence of X. The burden is not on the one who denies that X exists. For how can one prove a negative?

In this case, it is the critic who proposes. He claims that the Bible is "full of contradictions," and often proposes a lengthy list such as the one we are about to respond to below. Now, as Christians, we cannot prove that something is NOT a contradiction (i.e., one cannot prove that X [contradictions] do not exist). Instead, all that is required of us is to come up with plausible or reasonable, even possible explanations so that what is purported to be a contradiction is not necessarily a contradiction. Whether or not our explanation is the "true one" is not all that relevant in such contexts.

This is important. What is really relevant is whether our explanations show that the point of contention is not necessarily a contradiction. If we succeed, then the critic's assertion that "X and Y are contradictory" is no longer an obvious truth, instead it becomes merely a belief that someone holds.

At this point the critic might cry "foul" and note that it is the Christian who proposes. She is the one who claims the Bible is inerrant, thus she should demonstrate this. But how? How does one demonstrate a document is without error? At this point, the Christian need only learn from the methodology of modern atheism. Many atheists do not argue that God does not exist, because they realize that one cannot demonstrate the nonexistence of something. Instead, they take a more agnostic position, and argue there is no proof for God's existence, thus they don't possess God-belief. In the same way, the believer in inerrancy cannot demonstrate the nonexistence of contradictions in the Bible.

After all, the Bible contains 31,173 verses (even more when the OT deuterocanonicals are included). If we were to compare only couplets, where any one verse is juxtaposed against any other, one could write 971,750,000 couplets. Thus, by considering only couplets, there are almost one billion potential Bible contradictions! Surely, it is not reasonable to demand that a believer in inerrancy plod through one billion potential contradictions to prove negatives in every case. Instead, the believer in inerrancy can argue there is no proof for the existence of contradictions in the Bible, thus they don't believe in Biblical errancy (thus they believe in inerrancy -- being without error).

Answer 2

They are not contradictions, It is true that the Bible is not written like a novel and it is never meant to be that way. Read it with humility and a prayer in your heart because, there, lies greatest powers that no other book can give you. Then you will come to understand that they are not contradictions. Some text can be explained literally and some not. i.e.., when God unites a couple in marriage the Bible says they become one. Now , are they one? how do you explain that ? 1+1=1.
that's when you need the Spirit of God to be with you to understand these difficult things , Most times, Not in your ways, not even the way that your churches teach you . Never be arrogant or proud but keep seeking.

Answer 3

There are many contradictions, due to the fact that most of the books of the Bible were written at different times in history. They were written by people who saw the world as it was when they were living: different eras, different perceptions.

Answer 4

Life is full of contradictions.
People are more complex, and would have to be pretty simple-minded if the Bible were some piece of white bread instead of the nourishing black bread that it truly is. All kinds of interesting bits to chew on, and yeah, bring it on, God! He understands that we live through stages. He understands that one part of the bible is for one, and another part is for another. To understand its entirety is beyond human comprehension. To understand a single human is beyond human comprehension. To understand primitive society, and human social evolution and find a common ground with it all, yes, that takes God. The Bible is a work of transcendence, a work of art, a living thing.

Answer 5

The reason behind the contradictions is that the early translators of the bible translated the bible from Aramaic (the ancient language of Jesus) into greek or latin. Several Aramaic words had no equivalent translation in greek or latin. Therefore, the original translators replaced these Aramaic words with perceived greek or latin equivalents which totally altered the bible's meanings and teachings.

Answer 6

I don't think that there are contradictions. I just belive that the translations are terribly flawed, especially the King James versions. Words don't translate well in some instances OR there are several meanings to a word and the one chosen is NOT the way it was intended by the authors.

Answer 7

checked out the site. like the info. here is another one you might like its a free downloadable bible program in many versions and languages and has dictionaries and concordances(thayers, Strong's etc.) best fast bible scripture search than the reference section in the back of a bible. great for bible study, if your in bible college and has bible historical info and Hebrew and Greek as well
www.e-sword.net

Answer 8

I could probably explain all of those. People who believe those are contridictions aren't good at putting two things together

Answer 9

Yes..it is a flawed, man-made book...and I don't need any website to convince me.

Answer 10

here and now,
Thanks for the site.