Does a single contradiction mean that it's not the word of God?
2007-04-16 08:18:25 · 19 answers · asked by dissolute_chemical 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes. A single contradiction does mean that it was written by someone fallible and not divinely guided.
2007-04-16 08:20:59 · answer #1 · answered by ZER0 C00L ••AM••VT•• 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Because I was not alive when the Bible was written I have no way of knowing whether this is actually the word of God. That is where faith comes into play. What I do know is that the Bible was physically written by man and has been translated from language to language. Man is infamous for contradictions and exaggerations. It is only inevitable that we are either not getting the whole story or things have been added along the way.
2007-04-16 15:34:07 · answer #2 · answered by RS 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, what Zero Cool said is right, " a single contradiction does mean that it was written by someone fallible and not divinely guided."
But, there are no contradictions in the bible.
2 Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
1 Corinthians 2:14
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
2007-04-16 15:27:57 · answer #3 · answered by Mello Yello 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Contradictions (as found in the bible) are man-made.
There are accounts where two books of the bible give different numbers for the number of Chariots in Solomon's army. This can be accounted by the difficulty of reading an ancient document. The number of chariots in Solomon's army, however, does not add or detract from God's message.
Contradictions such as "In this verse, Judas died from his insides gushing out, and in this verse, it says he hung himself. Which is it?" These contradictions are results of lack of understanding. It is possible that when a man hangs himself from a high enough distance and jumps, his insides can fall out. OR after a while of just hanging there, his flesh can rot, causing his guts to spill.
There are a number of these, usually easily refuted if people would just look at verses in context or ask people of more knowledge than themselves (usually pastors or Bible commentaries). I can usually see someone's claim at a contradiction and be able to show them their error, but they're usually not willing to listen. If I can't see it, though, I'll ask a pastor or a trustworthy Christian friend.
2007-04-16 15:25:54 · answer #4 · answered by Christian #3412 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. I am not one of those who say that the Bible is the inerrant word of God. There are contracitions. Those contradictions are typically having to do with numbers of things, trivial.
What the Bible did not get wrong are the vast number of things throughout. Particularly about Jesus. Especially calling all the prophecies concerning him. So if you want inerrancy, look at Jesus. If you want to know God, ask Him. The Bible is good for finding out about how God thinks, and what he values and promises.
For those that nit pick through Chronicles and such, they are bound to lose any chance of hope. Jesus was prophecied, and it's in Him that I will put my trust.
2007-04-16 15:25:14 · answer #5 · answered by Christian Sinner 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's not the word of god. The contradictions don't make this case, it's the fact that it was written by ancient men ignorant of the world or editing.
Maybe God is a self-contradicting being. So omniscient, but not bright enough to make a text that doesn't sound ignorant centuries later.
2007-04-16 15:21:36 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is supposedly the word of God, so if there are contradictions it means God didn't remember what he said before. It cannot be the truth or the word of God with all of the contradictions in it (not to mention all the hatred and killings).
2007-04-16 15:26:45 · answer #7 · answered by Sun: supporting gay rights 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think one bad contradiction is one too many to expect from God.
Of course the contradictions between the Bible and New Testament are myriad. Though Jesus didn't rewrite Genesis and such he definitely uprooted the old law and covenant.
Today's Christians refer to whichever book of the bible serves their political purpose of the moment. That is really the FUNDAMENTAL problem.
If they stuck strictly to the word of Jesus they would be exemplary people.
2007-04-16 15:27:24 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Bible is, indeed, true. If you read the entire thing you'll find amazing harmony among writers that were hundreds of years apart.
There are no real contradictions in the scriptures if you study the Bible in it's entirety and read the context of the scriptures you might be questioning.
2007-04-16 15:22:37 · answer #9 · answered by Q&A Queen 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If we admit that the bible is the work of God, any contradiction you may find therein is merely due to our lack of understanding.
2007-04-16 15:23:34 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋