Contradictions in the Bible?

Question

I've heard from many people that there are contradictions in the Bible. I've read many passages and found things myself that seem contradictory but abstain from inference because I haven't read the whole thing. Can anyone cite specific examples in which there are inherent contradictions within the book itself (i.e., not between the Bible and science, etc.)?

Answer 1

Most contradictions in the bible are simple to explain, especially in the New Testament. The books were first witnessed by different people with differing points of view, passed along from the disciples by word of mouth for hundreds of years and then written down by different people. Small differences in perception are bound to occur. Take two people and have them describe one event and see there will be subtle differences. The important thing is not the differences, typos and editing errors but the underling message.

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

ok so i understand you have gotten like 1000's of solutions already, yet could provide mine. it rather is what i understand is real in my heart. The Bible isn't packed with contradictions what so ever. God is acceptable, he's organic. no longer something he says could be a lie. He might on no account contradict something that he has already stated. What has happened is human beings determine to take verses. Chapters. Books. and make an entire doctrine on one little subject. They DONT see the bible as one huge image. One e book. which you're able to study from placing out to end with the intention to understand the full thought. with the intention to work out God's be conscious for sure. as a replace Church has taught us that some books at the instant are not for us and therefor that is just one huge ole mess. each little thing will contradict one yet another via fact we've desperate to take lit bits and products and not study the bible right away forward in that is context.

Answer 4

The list is too long to put up here, but I'll find a few examples:

Matt.5:1,2: "And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying...."

Luke 6:17,20: "And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people...came to hear him.. And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples and said..."


MAT 28:1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

MAR 16:1 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.

JOH 20:1 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.


Acts 1:18: "Now this man (Judas) purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out."

Matt. 27:5-7: "And he (Judas) cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. And the chief priests...bought with them the potter's field."

Answer 5

Here are a few of my favorites:

1. Who is the father of Joseph?

MAT 1:16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

LUK 3:23 And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli.


2. God good to all, or just a few?

PSA 145:9 The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.

JER 13:14 And I will dash them one against another, even the fathers and the sons together, saith the LORD: I will not pity, nor spare, nor have mercy, but destroy them.

3. The sins of the father

ISA 14:21 Prepare slaughter for his children for the iniquity of their fathers; that they do not rise, nor possess the land, nor fill the face of the world with cities.

DEU 24:16 The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin.

Answer 6

Most of the contraditions noted are between the Old Testiment and the New Testiment. These are supposed to contradict because the New Testiment is all about our new relationship with God that supercedes the Old Testiment. There are a few contradictions based on different translations as well.

Answer 7

Thousands both to itselfand worldly knowledge.

Who was Jesus' grandfather on his father's side?

Matthew 1:16
And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

Luke 3:23
And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli.

When (at what time of day) was Jesus crucified?

Mark 15:25
And it was the third hour, and they crucified him.

John 19:14-16
And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King! But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar. Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified.

Did Jesus baptize anyone?

John 3:22
After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.

John 4:2
Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples

Just too many to list, they're everywhere.

Answer 8

I have not found a contradiction in the Bible yet. Every-time I find something that looks like a contradiction, it always turns out I am wrong, meaning I needed to study more.

Because someone posted something about Islam, I would like to add, that Islam is a religion of hate, and murder there many paths to hell and Islam is one of them.

Answer 9

It's common to find contradictions in collection af ancient fairy tales....

Here are a few contradictions...

Answer 10

"Now kill all the boys. And kill every woman who has slept with a man, but save for yourselves every girl who has never slept with a man."
--Numbers 31:17-18

"You shall not murder."
--Exodus 20:13