The Inerrant, Inspired, Irrefutable Word of the Living God

Some people believe that reading through the Bible is an accomplishment, and to a small extent it is. But reading it, and understanding it are two different things....

Bible Contradictions - A Matter of Definition and Analysis
Bible contradictions must be analyzed under traditional rules of logic and reason. At first glance, certain scripture can appear contradictory with other scripture, but further investigation reveals something different. First, reasonable skeptics should agree on the definition of a contradiction. "The Law of Non-contradiction," which is the basis of all logical reasoning, maintains that something cannot be "a" and "non-a" at the same time. For instance, it can't be day and night at the same time and at the same place. Therefore, if a biblical scripture violates this Law, it has been established as a contradiction. However, based on the same Law, two statements can differ without being in contradiction.

For example, one witness in a court case might testify that he saw two people at a crime scene, Jake and Sam, while another witness may only testify to seeing Sam. These statements are not contradictory. In fact, in a court of law, these statements could be considered complementary. This is the nature of many of the alleged contradictions in the Bible. For instance, in Matthew, we read that Jesus met two blind men. In Mark and Luke, we only read about one blind man meeting Jesus. In Matthew and Mark, we read that Jesus went to pray alone three times in the Garden of Gethsemane, whereas, in Luke, we read that Jesus went alone to pray on one occasion. Under legal rules of evidence and the Law of Non-contraction, these aren't contradictory scriptures, and yet they make all of the infamous lists.

Bible Contradictions - A Matter of Translation and Context
Some Bible contradictions appear contradictory solely because of the intricacies of Bible translation. Analysis of the original languages of the Bible (Hebrew for the Old Testament and Greek for the New Testament) can solve many apparent issues. It's no different than any other textual review of translated material. All languages (including especially Hebrew and Greek) have special limitations and nuances that cause difficulty in translation. The historical context of the translation can also cause some misunderstanding.

For instance, the Book of Acts has two accounts of Paul's conversion on the Road to Damascus. In Acts 9:7: "...the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man." In Acts 22:9: "...they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me" (King James Version). At first glance, these accounts seem contradictory -- one says that Paul's companions heard a voice, while the other says that no voice was heard. However, the Greek text solves the matter. "The construction of the verb 'to hear' (akouo) is not the same in both accounts. In Acts 9:7 it is used with the genitive, in Acts 22:9 with the accusative. The construction with the genitive simply expresses that something is being heard or that certain sounds reach the ear; nothing is indicated as to whether a person understands what he hears or not. The construction with the accusative, however, describes a hearing, which includes mental apprehension of the message spoken. From this it becomes evident that the two passages are not contradictory." (W.F. Arndt, Does the Bible Contradict Itself? , pp. 13,14.) Therefore, Acts 22:9 doesn't deny that Paul's companions heard certain sounds; it simply says that they didn't understand the sounds that they heard.

Bible Contradictions - Earnestly Investigate for Yourself
It's utterly fascinating how many people reject God's Word by focusing on a little list of alleged Bible contradictions. Yet, when presented with the miracle of the Bible's structure, survival, integration, historical veracity, archaeological evidence, scientific insights, outside corroborating records, and hundreds of fulfilled prophecies (each of which far surpass any other "holy book"), people look the other way. When viewed alongside other historical writings, the double standard in textual criticism is obvious. Remember, "God is not the author of confusion..." (1 Corinthians 14:33). If someone presents you with a supposed contradiction in the Bible, take a moment to earnestly investigate for yourself.

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[Jesus45U]

Achristian woman once hit me in the head with a bible and condemned me to hell.

I was seven.

[Boanerges7]

@Jesus45U - I'm sorry to hear that. Is there something in the video that bought forth this statement? Or are you just wanting to post that on a believer's page for a reaction....

[Jesus45U]

@Boanerges7

Everyone seems so taken with The Book.

Don't be ... it hurts.

Also, don't believe everything you read, even if it's in the bible.

Can't just read it without trying to understand, it has to be translated to modern time.

A good start, is to be nice towards other people, which she wasn't.

She just took it word for word.

That is what I think Christ was really trying to teach us.

Don't believe in the Bible.

Believe in God.

[Boanerges7]

@Jesus45U - I get your point, but I don't agree. The book tells us in John 1:1 that Christ IS the Word, and in Timothy that allscripture is God breathed. Therefore the onis is on reading it in not a LITERAL fashion exclusively, but to read each book according to its literary style. It also says there is nothing new under the sun, and all is vanity in Ecclesiastes. To summate, not believing in the bible ultimately cannot bring you to belief, and sustained faith in its author....

[Imaginefree69]

The Bible says that humans are made of dirt.

And that snakes and donkeys talk.

And that insects have 4 legs.

And that bats are birds.

And that the earth is flat.

And that the sun revolves around the earth.

And that animals appeared AFTER man but BEFORE woman.

If the the parts we can verify are false,

how can we rationally rely upon the parts that are not verifiable?

[Boanerges7]

@Imaginefree69 - This is exactly what I mean when people do not read the bible as it has been written, but instead attempt to read, and comprehend it in a truly wooden, and literal sense. The Bible still is being verified (archeology e.g.) sufficiently, and it continues to build a case for its authenticity moreso than any religious book on earth.  It is a book with a multitude of literary types, and most of what you list is from a literal standpoint, or just plain presumptuously stated.

[sixtiksix]

GO MAVS!!!!

[Boanerges7]

Now.. that is my once for all answer. An atheist would not accept that as an answer. A believer would. The choice still remains, and whether you realize it or not, OR believe it or not... those thoughts don't change the truth. We are all promised a death for a life. The bible says at that time everyones questions will be answered, and truth realized. How you answer the main question defines eternal destiny. Jesus once asked His disciples, and He will ask you as well... "Who do YOU say I am?"

[Boanerges7]

2Timothy 3:16 "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. " If inspired by God, scripture interprets itself, exegetically speaking. Many scriptures, refer to scripture to assure accuracy; highly relevent now, & to Hebrew culture. The Bible speaks highly of the Word of God, and biblically the Word of God is Yashua. Perfect, and sinless.

[lizazoon]

Boanerges7

The show once and for all that the bible is inerrant, inspired and the irrefutable word of God.