The Bible does sometimes appear to contradict itself. But it doesn't. It is consistant, although not complete. The Bible books were assembled by a group of people that decided on which books were to be canonized. The books were edited, some were omitted due to content too graphic, some were laughed at and distroyed. This means that some of the books omitted could have also been spiritually inspired, just not chosen by the scholars that assembled the canon. Due to this fact, with editing being done by these scholars to the writings, some of the "connecting" information may have been omitted. So, especially with the book of Genesis, there will be inconsistancies and things that just don't add up. What do you think? Allow me to add I am not an Atheist, and I do not condemn anyone for believing what they believe. Do you!
2007-03-31 01:09:03 · 15 answers · asked by swilson_lewis 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Whatever inconsistencies there are in the Bible can be accounted for by those things you have mentioned: translation errors, multiple writers and their different perspectives; a historical account can have diverse perspective because different interests see things in dofferent ways. The stories in Genesis are pointed out by atheists and critical scholars as evidence that the bible is inconsistent and as such unreliable.
However, they are not able to advance any more reliable historical document that the bible with its so called inconsistent Genesis. Many of the accounts have been proved right by archaelogists and other researchers.
Another explanation for the inconsistencies, I think comes from the fact that the Genesis is a human account, and there fore fallible. And this is the strenght of the scriptures: that they were not constructed to paint the picture of pretentious perfection. You find all kinds of failing in the bible and that tells us the core of the christian message: that man is so unreliable; yet God loves us and is constant about that.
The so called inconsistencies, rather than implying unreliabilty, should be understood in proper context: as a guide, a direction through history (of the human path), in which God shows through His choice of the Jews, how it is possible to be individuals and a people of God
2007-03-31 01:23:39 · answer #1 · answered by Elder 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I think the bible is a kind of moral guideline written a looong time ago when the science and the human knowledge was far from the todays level. At the time a group as you said wrote and edit the book according to the current human and science knowledge. Since then humans didn't change a lot but science did so this causes the feeling that the bible has right regarding people's feelings but sometimes ridicuolus regarding the scientific things.
I have no problem with people who belives in that and live according to the bible because it could be a good moral guideline (be kind, don't fight, etc) but taking its stories as 100% true is a bit weird to me.
2007-03-31 01:24:30 · answer #2 · answered by dscharge 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are too many to list. you do not might want to look more suitable than the first financial disaster. Genesis is finished of contradictions. for instance God advised Adam that once he ate the forbidden fruit he will die notwithstanding later interior the e book it says that Adam lived to be over 900 years previous. The order that God created issues jointly with the heavens and guy and the animals isn't consistent. The bible says that there are were many languages. Later it says there became one language till the Tower of Babel fell. As I reported, there are countless others. those are only some examples. EDIT - the human beings who declare the inconsistencies are using misinterpretation or lack of information or taking passages out of context might want to comprehend the way weak that argument is.
2016-10-17 22:25:42 · answer #3 · answered by michale 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry, but you are wrong. The Books that are contained in the Bible hold no inconsistancies, and nothing is incomplete.
Only the understanding of the reader is flawed. God is all powerful. Do you think He didn't have a hand in moving the people who decided what to include and not to include in the "Bible"? You can rest assured that everything God wants you to read, is included. People do not have a handle on the Bible languages, they do not understand idioms (sayings); they even get tripped up because they fail to follow the subject and object of what is being discussed; but I assure you that after 35 yrs of study in the manuscripts, you will not find any inconsistances or contradictions.
If there appears to be one, you need to study harder and dig deeper. You will realize your error. The Bible interprets itself, without the help of man. Every single question you may have on every single verse included in it, will be answered within the same Bible. Esspecially in the Book of Genesis - it is quite complete. For example, it doesn't say this earth is 6000 years old, but since verse 1:1 says "In the beginning God created the Heavens and the Earth", folks figure that what follows is the explanation of the very first creation of the earth; it isn't. The first verse ends with a period. There is an entire earth age contained in that one verse. The Bible declares this earth to be eons and eons old.
The problem is with the reader, not with whats contained.
2007-03-31 01:27:38 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
The Bible is an anthology. A collection of works sewn between the same cover.
I do like your assertion that some 'books' were omitted for being too graphic. They Must've been Real page turners.
I condemn all equally for what they believe. It's just easier, that way.
2007-03-31 01:21:55 · answer #5 · answered by Orac 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
What do you mean by "appear to contradict itself"?
There are THOUSANDS of contradictions in the bible. Some subtle, some blatant.
Here is an excellent website listing the more blatant ones;
http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/jim_meritt/bible-contradictions.html
And no, they are NOT taken out of context. Anyone stupid enough to say that should really take a look at what "context" means.
Trust me, it's all from the same book of bronze-age jewish mythology, so it's all in the same context.
2007-03-31 01:17:56 · answer #6 · answered by Yoda Green 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The bible has be translated from a few languages, so quite a lot has been lost in translation. Also the bible was written by men who thought the world was flat. They did not have the scientific knowledge that we have today either. The teachings of Christ were said so as to be able to get your own meanings from them. In one of the testaments, He says, I have come so that you know that I am one with God and You are One with me. Think about that.
2007-03-31 01:16:51 · answer #7 · answered by Helena N 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
One moment you're saying its consistent, next you're saying its inconsistent; this question is pretty much inconsistent.
Some of the inconsistencies in the Bible are the NT authors incorrectly applying OT scripture and verses to NT events.
2007-03-31 01:21:35 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
There WILL BE Inconsistencies In The Bible IF one DOES NOT read with Understanding. Their Spiritual Eyes MUST be Open, and also their Spitirual Ears to hear what the Word of God tells you in your heart. The Bible does not contridict itself by no means. It is only when one reads Without understanding they do not grasp the meaning. If you would like more help, please let me know and i can give you some Passages that will help you.
2007-03-31 01:17:47 · answer #9 · answered by Ex Head 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋
honestly i see the bible as a man based book. you cant really put faith in it because it was put together and edited and written by men.
just believe in whats in your heart...if supposedly god lives in you then you don't need a badly put together book to fall back on. because if god is supposedly in your heart he'll talk to you and guide you right?
2007-03-31 01:33:01 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋