Contradictions in the Bible—Why Are They There?

Question

The Bible has many seeming contradictions within its pages. For example, the four Gospels give four differing accounts as to what was written on the sign that hung on the cross. Matthew said, “This is Jesus the King of the Jews” (27:37). However, Mark contradicts that with “The King of the Jews” (15:26). Luke says something different: “This is the King of the Jews” (23:38), and John maintains that the sign said “Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews” (19:19).

Those who are looking for contradictions may therefore say, “See—the Bible is full of mistakes!” and choose to reject it entirely as being untrustworthy. However, those who trust God have no problem harmonizing the Gospels. There is no contradiction if the sign simply said, “This is Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews.”

What do you think?

The godly base their confidence on two truths: 1) “all Scripture is given by inspiration of God” (2 Timothy 3:16); and 2) an elementary rule of Scripture is that God has deliberately included seeming contradictions in His Word to “snare” the proud. He has “hidden” things from the “wise and prudent” and “revealed them to babes” (Luke 10:21), purposely choosing foolish things to confound the wise (1 Corinthians 1:27).



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Answer 1

The word Gospel usually designates a written record of Christ's words and deeds. It is very likely derived from the Anglo-Saxon god (good) and spell (to tell), and is generally treated as the exact equivalent of the Greek euaggelion (eu well, aggello, I bear a message), and the Latin Evangelium, which has passed into French, German, Italian, and other modern languages. The Greek euaggelion originally signified the "reward of good tidings" given to the messenger, and subsequently "good tidings". Its other important meanings will be set forth in the body of the present general article on the Gospels.

The existence of numerous and, at times, considerable differences between the four canonical Gospels is a fact which has long been noticed and which all scholars readily admit. Unbelievers of all ages have greatly exaggerated the importance of this fact, and have represented many of the actual variations between the Evangelical narratives as positive contradictions, in order to disprove the historical value and the inspired character of the sacred records of Christ's life.

Many a time the variations are due to the fact that not one but two really distinct events are described, or two distinct sayings recorded, in the parallel passages of the Gospels. At other times, as is indeed very often the case, the supposed contradictions, when closely examined, turn out to be simply differences naturally entailed, and therefore distinctly accounted for, by the literary methods of the sacred writers, and more particularly, by the respective purpose of the Evangelists in setting forth Christ's words and deeds. Lastly, and in a more general way, the Gospels should manifestly be treated with the same fairness and equity as are invariably used with regard to other historical records.

Answer 2

really this chum. Your claims are extremely previous and they have were given been addressed for an rather, very lengthy time period. really once you concentration on that you come back throughout some leisure in a list on an internet site does not propose that this hasn't been addressed for hundreds of years. It has. you'll locate those options in case you pick for to. There on the prompt are literally not any contradictions. the rationalization you imagine of there are, is that you retain on with your cutting-part-day worldview to scripture. that is okay, it extremely is largely inaccurate. you may want to be able to favor to allow scripture outline scripture. Use a appropriate hermeneutic. context. Complimentary scripture. you isn't waiting to really decrease n paste Bible and telephone it a contradiction. Judas hanged himself. pass ye hence and do likewise. does not artwork, does it? I did precisely what you likely did. I chosen 2 verses and made a "contradiction".

Answer 3

Friend, In the 4 gospels, we have to understand that each one Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John, explained in their own words of what is said, They need not to quote word for word, probadem. When all said & done it still shows that there is only one Truth, Yet, I will use you & myself, You can explaine something & I can explain something, & we will use different words, But the end results will be the same meaning & revelation. Therefore the Bible does not contradict itself,

Answer 4

The men you mentioned were not present when jesus was cruciifed. thus the contridiction of words with meaning the same..No I do not believe things you cite were done on purpose for the reasons you cite. I think there are areas where theologians had to step in and add word to complete the thought or meaning since these areas were missing/destroyed especially from the dead sea scrolls as an example..There are obsticles that are created by man through failing to follow the teachings of jesus thus they become true for each individual that falters..Good Luck in your beliefs..check out the seminary your audience may understand better..

Answer 5

What's so contradictory about that? They all said Jesus was the King of the Jews! Plus, they were accounts from four different people! If you and three friends go and write on something that is the same, are your texts gonna be exactly the same word-for-word?

Answer 6

I think the Editors messed up and the bible is full of contradictions just like you would expect in a book written and assembled by humans. It is not the infallible word of God and it is not even very accurate.
Do you blame God for the typos and mistakes of fact in your church letter as well.

Try working your way through this and see if your believer's explanations make more sense than the idea that the old guys who wrote and copied just made a few mistakes mistakes.
http://www.infidels.org/news/atheism/extra/bible-contradictions.html

Answer 7

the circumstance on where, how, when, and the audience of the author of the Gospel varies... that is why is has different texts that seems to be contradictory (as you have said it...) when you read the Gospel.... also the sources they have also makes a difference..... so we should not look at the Bible as a historical fact.. rather we will look the the Bible as a statement of faith....... get my point??? sometimes this confuse alot of people.....

Answer 8

Having multiple BIBLES doesn't seem normal, something was probably changed. In this situation, meanings are very close, but in other verses, you can tell the difference.
The Bible was changed many times by many people to serve some needs, plus translation into other languages reduces authenticity of the original text.

Answer 9

Most are just straining at gnats and swallowing camels. The truth of the Word remains and Jesus is still Lord and Father God is still on the Throne. I am convinced.

Answer 10

Yes and that is not even the most important contradiction - the gospels also differ on whether people can divorce or not, and I'm sure there are more.