Contradictions in the Bible?

Question

GE 1:11-12, 26-27 Trees were created before man was created.
GE 2:4-9 Man was created before trees were created.


GE 1:20-21, 26-27 Birds were created before man was created.
GE 2:7, 19 Man was created before birds were created.


GE 1:24-27 Animals were created before man was created.
GE 2:7, 19 Man was created before animals were created.


GE 1:26-27 Man and woman were created at the same time.
GE 2:7, 21-22 Man was created first, woman sometime later.

Someone knowledgeable in the Bible, please explain.

Answer 1

Many assume that books like Genesis and Revelation are written in linear chronology. A closer study revealed in the original language shows that there is no contradiction or inaccuracy. The original language shows that on the sixth day God created man. When you see that man and woman were created at the same time, this is a generalization. Woman was created from the rib of Adam which indicates man came first.

Answer 2

Bible difficulties, or apparent Bible contradictions, exist. The opponents of Christianity often use them in their attempts to discredit Christianity. Sometimes these attacks undermine the faith of Christians who either don't understand the issues or don't have the resources to deal with them.

Opponents of Christianity will cite what they consider a Bible contradiction or difficulty by comparing one verse to another (or more) that seems to disagree with the first. In doing this, several verses are often referenced as being contradictory or problematic. Therefore, to make this section of CARM easy to use, it is arranged by verse for easy lookup. Since many of the same "difficulties" deal with one verse in opposition to another or even several others, I have listed all the verses addressed in the same answer. This makes the initial list look larger than it really is. For example, how many animals did Noah bring into the ark? Genesis 6:19-20 says two while Gen. 7:2-3 mentions seven. Therefore, both verses are listed and both links point to the same answer.

http://carm.org/introduction-bible-difficulties-and-bible-contradictions

If we read the Bible at face value, without a preconceived bias for finding errors, we will find it to be a coherent, consistent, and relatively easy-to-understand book. Yes, there are difficult passages. Yes, there are verses that appear to contradict each other. We must remember that the Bible was written by approximately 40 different authors over a period of around 1500 years. Each writer wrote with a different style, from a different perspective, to a different audience, for a different purpose. We should expect some minor differences. However, a difference is not a contradiction. It is only an error if there is absolutely no conceivable way the verses or passages can be reconciled. Even if an answer is not available right now, that does not mean an answer does not exist. Many have found a supposed error in the Bible in relation to history or geography only to find out that the Bible is correct once further archaeological evidence is discovered.

http://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-errors.html

The Big Book of Bible Difficulties: Clear and Concise Answers from Genesis to Revelation
By: Norman L. Geisler, Thomas Howe
http://www.christianbook.com/difficulties-clear-concise-answers-genesis-revelation/norman-geisler/9780801071584/pd/071584?event=AFF&p=1011693&

Answer 3

There are two creation accounts described in Genesis. The first and oldest account was composed in the northern kingdom of Israel, probably during the reign of Roboam, and contains the localized creation story as it was known in Canaan. This story does not include any details about how Adam and Eve were created, and does not discuss Eden or the Fall. The second creation story was composed in the southern kingdom of Judah, probably during the Jewish exile in Babylon, and describes the origins of man as recorded in Babylonian annals. It does not deal with the creation of the earth, but describes a localized account of the origins of man in Eden. The second account assumes that all of the stages of creation have already occured, and deals only with the garden of Eden.

Looking at Ge. 2:4-9, God planted a garden in Eden, put Adam there, and then causes all kinds of trees to grow there. This passage does not describe the creation of all the trees on the earth; it only describes the trees of Eden. Suppose I said, "I bought a new house in the suburbs, and there was no lawn, because there was no man to lay the sod for me. Then God caused the lawn to sprout, and it turned into a lovely lawn of bermuda grass." Does that quote imply that there was no such thing as grass or lawns before I bought my house? Of course not. The same language is used in this passage of Genesis.

Now suppose I said, "When I bought my house, there were no birds outside. But God brought forth birds in my lawn, and now there are many birds here." Again, no implication that birds did not exist until they migrated into my lawn.

Suppose I say, "When I bought my house, there were no animals around. But then I woke up the other day and there was a herd of deer grazing in the back yard."

Suppose I say, "I married my wife when I moved to Orlando." That is true. Then I say, "I moved to Orlando and lived there for six months, then I went back to Oklahoma, married my wife there, and then brought her to Orlando with me." Again, a true statement. One does not contradict the other - the second account is simply more detailed, and presents the chronological order of the events.

In a modern document people would give the text the benefit of the doubt, and no one would see a contradiction. Because this is the Bible, people get into semantic arguments to pull out contradictions where there are none. The Bible has enough legitimate contradictions - we don't need to insert them where they are needed.

Answer 4

Genesis chapter 1 through chapter 2, verse 3, after telling about the creation of the material heavens and earth (Ge 1:1, 2), provides an outline of further creative activities on the earth. Chapter 2 of Genesis, from verse 5 onward, is a parallel account that takes up at a point in the third “day,” after dry land appeared but before land plants were created. It supplies details not furnished in the broad outline found in Genesis chapter 1. There is no contradiction here.

Hannah J Paul

Answer 5

This explains the first three on your list:
From chapter 1 in Genesis to Genesis 2:3 there is a historical account of how God made the Earth and all in it and then He rested.
But starting at Genesis 2:4 there is a historical account of Adam and Eve, which would not make since if it did not start with the creation of the world.
Many times in the Bible things from the past are referred to
but that does not make it a contradiction.
The answer to the last one is a secret I will hold on to

Answer 6

Genisis 1 speaks in generalities, and Genisis 2 speaks in specifics.

The problems come in in understanding Hebrew-Aramaic translated into modern English. Many words have different meanings when spoken one way or another. Much like modern American English. (such as the American word "bad") A deeper study in the wording exposes words clearly stating the order of creation. Man was created last.

For example. 8 Now the LORD God HAD planted a garden in the east, in Eden

This clearly shows that the garden was planted first. The same goes for the other passages you put down. Sometimes it is necessary to consult a Concordance to find the original meaning.

Answer 7

Trees...Genesis 2 is talking about how God created a specific place on earth for Adam to live. For instance, you were raised in your parents house, but after getting married, you built a new home for you and your husband.

Birds (and animals).. In Genesis 2:19 it uses the past tense "Formed". It doesn't mean that he right that second formed the animals. They could have already been formed and God called them to Adam.

Woman... Genesis 21-22 explains HOW God created woman. Not that it was necessarily done 'sometime later'.

Something you need to understand is that when the bible was translated, it was translated into a way that we can read it and understand it. There were no vowels in the original bible and there were words that do not compare to the english language so scholars/translators had to match the words as close as possible. And also, just because a person wrote the bible, doesn't mean he was a very intelligent person and knew how to put the information together without repeating himself in other chapters. I mean, even today, we have editors who have to proof read our books to make sure we do not incessively repeat ourselves when we are writing our autobiographys

Answer 8

Gen 1 26 doesn't say they were created at the 'same time', just says they were created which is correct. Gen 2 gives the details.

Same with the others verses.
Gen 2 19 doesn't say man was "created before the animals". It just says that God created the animals, (which is correct), and gave man the chore of naming them, (which is correct).

I'll stop there. Read contradictions into the Bible all you want,--- they are not there.

Answer 9

Genesis 1 describes the Creation on a day-by-day basis. Genesis 2 is a recap without order and daily reference. If you seek to confuse the LoSt then you should consider the Book of Revelation. It was written by John as he was held captive on the isle of Patmos and used Apocalyptic writings to confuse the Romans that held him captive. These are misinterpreted by a number of BIBLICAL SCHOLARS and would give you a definite advantage over a number of people. These are not even cl;ose to being "Contradictions". GOD Can NOT LIE! Have a great day.
Eds

Answer 10

Translation Thing of it Is Every thing happend all at Once
God Spoke and Thought and It was made created after his request and worked the way he wanted it to work...It was God in the planning and the Angels to clear the wants and needs and just stand back and Let IT BE So Let IT BE perfect Because God Spoke it into existed and breathed the breath of life on it formed and all things beam in His living glory excelently made...
U Hide in the King James errors and be heading of the priest and so much of the true word hit the cutting room floor according to what he liked and wanted included in the King James version and to keep the secret secure he killed the translators...Until they wrote and agreed with his version of The Bible