A genuine question to Christians?

Question

Out of curiosity really, a lot of Christians will tend to agree with one another and say that there are no contradictions within the bible, yes? How about the contradictions made when interpreting the bible, for example, some Christians will take the account of Genesis quite literally, yet, religious scholars/theologians insist that Genesis etc...contains symbolic truths as opposed to literal or scientific truths...why is this? Who should non-Christians turn to for genuine questions about the bible when there's so many contradicting responses?

An example of this would be, those that accept the radiometric dating of the Earth to be roughly 4.5 billion years and those who believe that the Earth is roughly 10,000 years old. Why is there no universal teaching system in place to avoid such confusions?

Julia, with respect, I disagree,
that same source being the bible for example?

If two people form completely different conclusions from the same source material, i.e, the bible, (young Earth vs old Earth, completely the opposite) is that not considered contradictory views, perceptions, opinions? Well, of course it is.

If so, my question still stands, which one should I go with? (Let's assume I'm 5 years old and learning about creation in school and I've been told two opposing interpretations....isnt that somewhat confusing?

I meant to add, in response to the other replies I've been getting...if there are so many different interpretations then, is it not better then to NOT teach your children about the bible until they're old and literate enough to form their own "interpretations" of the text?

Answer 1

Catholics will tell you that there is a teaching system in place. We believe in ONE church and in the authority of that church to definitively interpret Sacred Scripture. The Catholic theological term for that is 'magisterium' and is used to describe the Catholic Church's authority to teach and interpret Sacred Scripture. There is a broader and larger scriptural support of course, but in a nutshell it stems from the verse in Matthew where Jesus said He would build his church (singular) on Peter and gave him the keys of stewardship (Isaiah 22).

The trouble with individual interpretation of Sacred Scripture is that too often we bring our own personal sins and biases to the task and lean on our own understanding (something we are told NOT to do) that is why Sacred Scripture records that the Church and not the Bible is the "pillar and foundation of Truth." It is the teaching authority of the church that set the canon to begin with and provides the authoritative interpretation to keep Christ's church ONE and not 30,000 plus denominations and growing. How can ONE Holy Spirit lead to such division if that was the means by which Jesus intended His ONE Church to be led?

PS For the official Catholic Church interpretation of Genesis account of creation you can read this document. (It leaves the science to scientists and declares what the theological truths of the passage are.) http://www.newadvent.org/library/docs_pi12hg.htm

Answer 2

You answer your own question; i.e., the contradictions are caused by the various interpretations by OTHERS.

Jewish and other traditions teach that there are up to and even over SEVEN possible interpretations to any 'inspired writings'.

Most of the contradictions that exist in the Bible are due to inconsistent, and biased translations of Hebrew (OT) and Greek (NT).

I believe that NO ONE should turn to ANY ONE for questions about translations and/or supposed contradictions, but should study them out for themselves!!! One can begin by reading (or using) Strong's Concordance. The Concordant Bible is another source used by many Bible scholars.

Your example does not 'follow', in that on one hand you speak of contradictions in the Bible, yet you cite a contradiction which has nothing to do with any contradiction in the Bible.

However, despite this I will attempt to answer your question as a separate question to the first one you asked--but again, you really answer your own question...

There are already "universal teaching systems" in place!?

And, THIS is what is causing and/or has caused the very problem that you identify as being able to be solved by "universal teaching systems"!?!?

What makes you think, feel and/or believe that a "universal teaching system" would eliminate confusion and contradictions?

Why or how is it that you think, feel and believe that confusion and contradictions are a bad thing? I see them as 'the guardians of truth' in a way, as these things point to 'obvious' problems which others have not been able to solve on their own. Therefore, if anyone wants an answer, they will have to search it out on their own.

The REAL problem is that people are not thinking and/or investigation these and other issues for themselves and by themselves--and take the word of outside 'unjust authorities' versus relying upon the 'ultimate authority' of their own souls.

Who is going to be the final authority as to what is and is NOT an approved 'universal teaching' or 'teaching system'?

Regards,

Answer 3

Your absolutely correct. The Bible is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The contradictions come from human interpretation. There is a verse in the Bible that tells us that it is its on interpretor. If people took this into consideration and used the Bible to interpret itself we would all be on the same page. However, man tends to make his own interpretations of the Bible. The majority of which is not correct. There is one Bible and one interpretation. Any other interpretation is not of God. The devil is smart. He knew he could get to us through religion itself. He uses people who let him to make false interpretations. We need to study the Bible for ourselves and not rely on man. Not even our pastors or other church members. We are responsible for ourselves.
God is the only one who can bring full understanding to us. When we pray asking God for guidance of his word, he will send the Holy Spirit to help us understand what we are reading. He does use other people to help us when we are still stuck. But again be careful we should always check everything that others say with the Bible.

Answer 4

There are not any contradictions in the Bible , but you might
note that not all bibles are really bibles but in fact have had
changes to them to better bring about their false teachings .
Second , your radiometric dating system has to many out
comes to the same materials to be trust worthy . Third were
in the Bible does it say how old the earth is . I only see where
we can conclude on the age of Man and not the earth since
the Bible remains silent on that . One thing you are right on is
how badly many pervert and change the Word of God . But
then again we are warned of this in the Bible it self , so that
is nothing new . May God Bless you with a discerning Spirit
and reveal His Truth to you , Amen ......

Answer 5

Because God's time is as infinite as the universe...You can think of it in this way. Do you know anyone who knows how far or how big the universe is? It's unknown and unimaginable...In the bible it states there are thing that we are not to know and will not. There are things that there is no answer to. God's time and mans perception of it is sure to be flawed. I've always taken the approach that Gods days could number a million. If it's said on the 1st day that could cetainly be a million and used as the metaphor for the verses. It all goes back to faith in God, his word and interpretation of it, and an understanding or obedience in knowing that it's much bigger than we could ever know or imagine. Set aside the scholars, scientist, and politics of it all and focus on the fact that belief in God and a relationship is not about making a good decision as to whether your going to buy a certain car or house but one that rest in whether or not you'll be obedient and faithfull in your relationship with the creator of all and his offer of salvation in Jesus Christ to you. The rest will work itself out in the end.

Answer 6

Man does not know how old the planet earth is. Does it really matter. The bible says "in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Gen. 1:1. So the earth was already here before the first creative day began. We are now in the 7th creative day that has lasted over 6000 years. So if each creative day was at least 6000 years, that would be at least 42,000 years since the first creative day. So we really don't know. However, we do know from bible dates, that Adam was created a little over 6000 years ago.

There is only one bible and only one truth of the bible. Each one of us has to find that truth by studying the bible and doing research. John 17: 3 "This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God and the one whom you sent forth Jesus Christ."

Answer 7

I agree with you in most of what you say, but the bible is not a historical book or a geological book. and some parts are to be taken literally and some are not. Everyone knows the world is billions of years old there's no arguing that. The bible is being interpreted by those that shouldn't even attempt to interpret it.But thats been happening since right after Christs death. The bible is a story book, the story of Gods relationship with man and is to be used for that reason only.Even the bible says that there are things in it that are hard for some to understand.(Read the book of JAMES)

Answer 8

History is replete with "experts" in all fields that reject the truth,so saying scholars and theologians do not believe the literal account of Genesis means nothing.Scientific facts and written history align perfectly with the Bible.All types of dating methods are imperfect at best.Several examples of this can be found in living organisms dated at 20 million years old.Dead animals dated at 5000 years old on one part of their body,and 40 million on another.As for universal teachings....man can never agree on most things.There will always be different views based on presuppositional biases.God's Word is true,and if taken at face value can be proven to be such by any honest investigator.It has a 100% prophetic accuracy rate.Many were written centuries prior to their fulfillment.It is manmade religion that is full of lies.I follow the Faith,not any religion.

Answer 9

If you had a choice between the two.Who would you believe?

Fallible men who are saturated with sin(that's everyone of us.Men and women),or the word of God?

Concerning one of your questions.Bare in mind there is too much bad advice out there.If a preacher or teacher is teaching repentance,the cross,& salvation.You stand a better chance at getting good advice.
As far as radiometric dating.It's fallible too.There is too much grey area when it comes to testing the age of something.Ask yourself,should blood vessels and live blood cells be present in a t rex thigh bone?That beast was supposed to be extinct 65 million years ago.I bet somebody has already cloned one,because all the information is there to do so.But it's true,that bone was covered with live blood vessels & live blood cells.No matter how it was buried,or what it was buried in makes no difference.If the bone was that old,then it shouldn't be there.Sounds younger than 65 million years old.?

This article should install a little doubt in everyone.
http://www.trueorigin.org/ng_ap01.asp
Now from the other side of the fence.
http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/606
Someone in this forum told me once to look at the debate from both sides.I did.I'm still not convinced.I've clock a lot of time in the library,and on the internet.Too much grey area on the evolution side of the matter.

Answer 10

:) Great question!

The Bible calls science false in I Tim 6:20. The reason is that it is ever changing, never remaining the same.

An example is easily seen by medical treatments. At one time they did lobotomies on persons with mental illness. Today the very thought is ludacris.

The theologoy of man is just that....theory. Not knowledge, but theory...a set of beliefs based upon what the 'think'....which is kinda like science - the lobotomy practice was no more than theory.
Romans 11:34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counseller?


Non-christians should turn to Yashua, Jesus the Christ for answers - for through Him one receives the Holy Spirit, who can and will reveal all truth to those who humbly seek Him. Mt 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: (8) For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.