What are some Bibilical inconsistencies?

Question

I have seen many web sites that generate inconsistencies through taking verses completely out of context. The person with the most legitimate inconsistency gets 10 points!

An example of a very legitimate contradiction was the account of David's encounters with King Saul in 1 Samuel 16-17. He seemingly keeps getting reintroduced to Saul; however, when you look at what the author is doing with the passage, he's trying to show you how David keeps on popping up in David's life, building up Saul's jealousy.

Give me something challenging =)

Answer 1

There are no inconsistencies that affect truth or theology.

Answer 2

Just the different genealogies of Jesus in Matthew & Luke? Just then ending of Mark or the two chapters of Genesis?

You would think that after 2000 years of nit picking at the Bible, someone somewhere would come up with an original argument that hasn't been rebutted or explained a hundred times already.

If this is the best that anyone can do, then obviously the Bible is VERY reliable to survive all these centuries with nothing more than trivial criticism in spite of the efforts of the world's best minds for so long to find something -- anything -- to discredit it.

====edit====

Obviously Heli is the father of Joseph by MARRIAGE only (I.E.: father-in-law). Joseph is listed instead of Mary because Joseph is the head of the household in a male dominated world.

====edit2===

As for Joseph's lineage not extending to Jesus, it is important because the chain of title to the throne of David must be legally established. Jesus is the legal heir of Joseph as the eldest male even though Joseph is Jesus’ father in law (father by marriage), not the biological father.

[This is not a good argument since it was rebutted about 1500 years ago.]

====edit3===

As for the inconsistency of there being talking animals, mentioned by a poster above, well, if you don't believe in spirits, or demon possession, or miracles, then I suppose that all of it sounds irrational. The "supernatural" are articles of faith which cannot be argued on a scientific basis, so there is no point in debating it.

Answer 3

Read the lineage of Jesus' adopted human father Joseph in Matthew.

Read the lineage of Jesus' adopted human father Joseph in Luke.

Compare. Note also that since Joseph is not Jesus' biological father, the lineage would not even extend to him, even if it was consistent.

I would like to point out, also, in response to a poster below, that this is but one of many inconsistencies of the Bible with itself, not even mentioning all of the major inconsistencies of the Bible with reality, such as talking animals and plants, rivers turning into blood, and people turning into salt.

Answer 4

The geneologies of Jesus (actually, Joseph) in Matthew and Luke conflict. Many state that one is Joseph's and the other one is Mary's, but if you check it is wrong. Both clearly state they are through Joseph: "and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born" (Matthew 1:16) and "He [Jesus] was the son (as was thought) of Joseph son of Heli" (Luke 3:23).

So who is Joseph's father? Jacob or Heli?

Answer 5

genesis 1 and genesis 2 is a great contradiction. and chapter 2 wasnt a recap of chapter 1 either

gen 1 says that humans were created after everything else...
gen 2 says that animals were created after everything else...

Answer 6

There are none !
The Bible is about peace, love,tolerance and forgiveness only.

Answer 7

http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/by_name.html

And don't forget:
Mark 16:9-20
Where did they come from?

Answer 8

There aren't any contradictions.

http://www.answering-islam.de/Main/Bible/Contra/index.html