When a person says something that completely contradicts the Bible, how can one courteously confront it?

Answer 1

Make sure you know the bible well enough to refute it on the spot.

Depends on why you want to know too....

Answer 2

Well first of all you need to know exactly where they stand as far as beliefs go.

If they are a hard-core atheist, then pointing out verses in the bible that prove them wrong, isn't going to mean much to them. You'll need to turn to solid archaeological evidence and (and there is plenty of it out there, just got to do some research) and logic to prove them wrong.

If they believe in Christ, and claim to be a Christian, gently pointing out to them the error in the ways, using the Bible as a guide should do the job fine.

Whatever you do, be nice about it. It's easy to get carried away and give them the feeling that you're scolding them or are trying to make them feel ashamed of themselves. You may win the battle, but lose the war. And that's not what you want to do at all.

Answer 3

As always, if you have a question about your role in a situation, follow Christ's example. There are examples in which Christ was faced with the task of responding to someone whose beliefs contradicted His teaching. He, MOST often, replied gently, but forthrightly.

No one can tell you what to say, especially because we don't know the scenario, but a Christian should follow the principle set in Proverbs 3:3. Mercy should be coupled with truth in what we do and say.

Answer 4

There are some very good answers and I wish I had enough points to give some thumbs up, but I don't get in here often enough. First of all, most people don't want to be corrected, even when they say they are open to it. Realize that what a person said does not contradict the Bible, but it may be contrary to what the Bible teaches; if so, then the Bible contradicts what the person said; the student does not contradict the teacher, the teacher contradicts the student.

Regardless of how courteous I am trying to be, how did you like being contradicted? Now, regarding your question, being so sure that you are correct, how important to that person's fate is the correction of the error, rather than to your ego; for instance: almost everyone believes that only two of every animal went into Noah's ark, but when you read the following verse:

Genesis 7:1. And the Lord said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation. 2. Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female.

It becomes clear that this verse contradicts the answer of 9 out of 10 who can actually give an intelligent answer at all, further eliminating about 1 of every 3 who attempt to answer genuine religious questions with atheistic sarcasm in Yahoo Answers. The chances are 9 out of 10 that your answer concerning the animals was erroneous and contradicted by the Bible. I believe you should be acceptable to this correction, because it is not threatening to your religious doctrine, but I can't be certain how you feel about it.

Now, how does this question affect you? For those of you who actually go to church, why do you go on Sunday? The first day of the week is contrary to the fourth commandment of the Bible which specifically commands:

Exodus 20:8. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 10. But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God:

Again, the belief of 9 out of 10 readers has just been contradicted by the Bible, and nowhere in the Bible is that changed. The infallible pope is responsible for "Sun"day worship by accepting Emperor Constantine's edict, as all the popes are responsible for all the paganism introduced into the "Christian" church, and the Protestant preachers are responsible for allowing those traditions to remain in their churches, including Christmas and Easter which are contradicted by the absence of their mention in the Bible. The Christmas tree is specifically forbidden by the following verse:

Jeremiah 10:1. Hear ye the word which the Lord speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: 2. Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven (astrology); for the heathen are dismayed at them. 3. For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. 4. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.

How do you like being corrected in doctrinal belief? None of us do, but once done, how are we going to change our lives to accommodate the new found truth?
Another example: In Revelation 17 there is a whore, an impure church, riding on the 7 headed dragon of Rev. 12, and she has harlot daughters, impure churches; which churches do you think are being pointed out in this chapter? I'll leave that question unanswered, because I believe you can figure it out for your self, and I don't want to harden your heart. Remove the vail from your eyes with the eye salve of Jesus become free of worshipping the beast.
Unless a person asks you, the best thing is to help a person discover the truth for themself. Be aware that you might find some truths for yourself.

Respectfully submitted

Answer 5

It depends on what your relationship is with the person. If they're close to you, and are Christian, then by all means direct them to where the Bible says what it says.

If they're not close to you, and say something in passing, then there's no real way to confront it. They'll most likely dismiss whatever you have to say.

I have this same problem with a dear friend of mine, who's catholic, but very misguided. She says things like, "The rosary is THE greatest weapon you have on earth", or "if you die when wearing a scapular, you go straight to heaven". I've tried addressing her beliefs, but she holds on to them so strongly that it's hard to do much about it.

If you feel like saying something, then go for it-- just dont expect the person to agree with you unless they're open minded.

Answer 6

Show them the scripture which is in question and why what they said goes against it.

Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

Answer 7

It depends on the situation. If a person is claiming scriptural support for something that has no scriptural support, within the context of a Christian conversation, you could politely bring up the verses that refute what they say.

But if it is a matter of personal opinion, or not within the context of a Christian conversation, don't confront it at all.

Answer 8

The Bible is full of contradictions, so there's really no point. Accept it and don't say anything.

Answer 9

christians are often guilty of being contradictory to the bible... that is what is meant by "The Devil will be called god of the earth" and " The Devil will deceive many" all literature has some truth in it... but the devil uses the bible because he is successful and deceiving many through it... the concept of the bible being the only truth or the word of god or any such things are contrary to nature through the law of evolution... evolution is the law of nature which means growth forward is always more knowledgeable than yesterday's news... for example one knows more as an adult than they could as a child... historically speaking... time reflects the age of humanity... 2000 years ago humans had less life experience than they have today... for our history becomes our collective childhood.. that is why litterature of all kinds matter for it reflects our history...and experience... but old text we should learn from not repeat... from a bible perspective one can see that the worship of god has always led to failure... or that what they call god known nothing in terms of life itself... so it is a foolish person who would deduce that god is needed, god is all powerful, or that god is all knowing...

Answer 10

Are they making a claim that the bible says that? Are you certain that the bible actually does considering it has been translated a billion times? Are you certain the version they are reading doesn't in fact state what they are saying?

Answer 11

Quote the scripture that they contradict.