why dose the bible contradict it self on so many topics?

Question

like predestination or answering a fool. i am not looking for a debate on predestination . but there are so many good people on both sides, with bible verses to suport it. so the bible is the word of God why dose he confuse us so

p.s. even if you think me a fool pleas still awnser

ok "the bible dose not conterdict it self"

then why are there so many sects in the christion faith that holds there way is the only true way. there are sevral verses that are agenst (sprikel baptisem, unsaved babys go to heaven, even post appoclieps revlation ) and others with just as many scriptues are oppset. i am not saying anything aginst the basic need for salvation and god is the only way and i evan belive that the whole of the bible is sacred.

p.s. to all the people that say i had no exsamples in my frist question what about pre-destnation, t his issue has turn churches apart

Answer 1

I'm not confused and I have read it cover to cover at least a dozen times.
Maybe the flaw is in your understanding rather than in the Bible.

Answer 2

Some people believe the Bible to be divinely inspired, and it may be. But the indisputable fact is that the Bible was written down, copied, edited, translated, re-copied, re-edited, re-translated, over and over again, by frail, flawed, imperfect human beings. The only contradictions arise when people attempt to take the Bible 100% literally instead of focusing on the message. That's when you get those fun folks who sit around wondering how Noah was able to fit all those great big dinosaurs into the ark.

Contradictions? God told Moses "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven images". And before they were out of the desert Moses himself made a bronze serpent to cure snakebite. With no explanation or even an appearance by God to praise or condemn the act.

Answer 3

Why don't you start with some verses you find contradictory, perhaps someone could explain. I have found that most questions can be answered and there are no contradictions as such, but there are many different interpretations.

The book has gone through many translations. However, the original manuscripts are still available and none of the translations have deviated to a great extent.

Answer 4

Look at how difficult it is to write reasonably intelligent English sentences. Imagine having no vowels and a very limited knowledge of science.

Now, imagine that you are a priest in the 7th Century BCE, and the ruler of your country suggests that it might be a good idea for you to "discover" a body of religious writing to justify his imperial ambitions. Think of the pressure! You'd cobble together all sorts of material, paying little attention to the details as long as the major thrust of the document was "The King Must Take Over The Northern Kingdom! God Said So!"

Answer 5

The bible never contradicts itself. It may "appear" to, but if you study the verses and it's intended meaning (including who it was written to, for, surrounding enviornment, etc.) then you will easily find that that arguement is null and void.

Every seemingly contradiction is explained, IF someone doesn't just want to argue it all.

Trust me, as a former sceptic, it all really does add up and make sense. =)

It confuses those who do not WANT to believe. Believe you me, you can twist and find anything in any literature, bible or not. You can conform whatever to mean whatever.

God does have a sense of humor, however, and I do believe there are many verses in which those that are not "hungry and thirsty for righteousness" are as the bible says, "blinded by the god of this world" to the "light of the gospel." The bible calls it being "hid" from those who oppose. ;-)

http://www.housefellowship.org
http://www.splashdesignworks.com

Answer 6

I don't believe it does. It speaks with so many word pictures, and context of the subject is crucial.

If you mean the 2 verses back to back that say "answer a fool..." and "answer not a fool.." it's simple.

Don't get down on a fool's level and argue with them. But, use their own foolishness to answer them.

Common sense, don't talk stupidly, but if someone has a idiotic ideology, walk through it with them and show them how flawed it is.

Predestination is also simple, it's not the way man likes to think of it though. God wants everyone, but everyone does not want God. So he extends Himself to all and those who receive Him, recieve salvation. God calls everyone, but those who choose God are chosen. God knows who those are going to be. He doesn't have to manipulate them or life because He's reaching for us all.

Answer 7

Because it was written by a lot of different people across a lot of different centuries.

And contrary to what some superstitious people think, God didn't cast some magic spell on the compilers of the bible to make sure nothing they wrote was in the slightest way wrong or contradictory or not applicable to the 21st century.

Plenty of the bible IS applicable to the 21st century, but not all of it. God gave us brains to be able to read and tell the difference.

Supposedly...

Answer 8

It appears to contradict itself because of our different interpretations of the word of God. It is our own changing ideas, changing the uses of words etc. that causes the problem. We contradict ourselves, the word of God stays constant.

The Bible is meant to be read as a whole. The Old and New Testaments go together. There is a term for it called :typology. This means you read the Bible and understand verses in light of the other verses in the Bible. It helps to know the root words, different translations claim different meanings.

Since most of us are not language masters and theologians we look to those who are to help us. I am Catholic and the Church is just that. 2000+ years of understanding the Bible, and the traditions of Christ and the apostles. 2000+ years of spiritual information shared and passed down to help us understand. The teachings of the church help us to know what God wants for us and from us, it is the guide to keep us on the path to heaven.

Answer 9

There are passages in the bible that seem to contradict each other - but that does not mean that the bible is untrustworthy.

The arguments of predestination vs. free will have been going on for hundreds of years with many good - scholarly and godly - people on both sides.

Jesus will lead and guide us as we trust in Him, as we study the bible ourselves, as we seek Him and His kingdom.

god bless

Answer 10

God predestinates in certain occasions. He'll step in and perform miracles now and then to show himself to those who are searching for Him, and to those whom he calls.
God can cause a person to understand or be confounded.
The Bible can be confusing. But reading it will bring either understanding or contempt. You choose. But choose wisely.

Answer 11

I expect Primoa will be here soon making a blanket and unsubstantiated claim about no contradictions, so let me post this in advance:
http://www.evilbible.com/Biblical%20Contradictions.htm
There's a short list

edit: damn, he's faster than I thought.