bible contradictions?

http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/jim_meritt/bible-contradictions.html#good_to_all

what do you make of this...i know many of the bible contradictions are not good arguements, but there are some that make sense. like in genises when it says god made the creatures of the earth, but then it says god made man and THEN made creatures, or how it says that insects have 4 legs...things like that

brethren Greetings in Jesus' Name by whose Blood we are Justified. AMEN.

Let us consider Romans 1

[b]18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; F6 for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so F7 that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28 And even as they did not like to retain F8 God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
[/b]

Grace and Peace be ours In Jesus' Name. AMEN.

We must take supposed Bible contradictions one at a time. I have never heard one I did not hear a scholarly rebuttal for.

In the case of Genesis, I have heard an outstanding rebuttal that I will stick with until someone proves otherwise. The first is coming to the realistic conclution that Moses was not the author, he was the editor. The phrase, "these are the generations of" shows a new author is writing. This is the case starting at Genesis 2:4. We have the key phrase showing a new author is writing, and now the word "God" is not used, but instead, "Lord God". Genesis 1 is account of all creation being made. Gen 2:4 is recounting the creation; making a commentary. Ex: Genesis 2:9 tells what God "made to grow" (not created) in the garden. Not every tree, but "every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food". Gen 2:19 is describing the method God used to provide names for all the animals. The verse is simply saying that God brought the animals to Adam to be named.

As far as the 'four legs' argument, when I read the text and compare to the contradiction website, I see that they did not include verse 20 of Lev 11, which talks about birds that "creep, going upon all four". Then in verse 21: "every flying creeping thing that goeth upon all four". It seems plain to me that 'going on all four' simply means crawling. You will see vultures and other birds that eat carrion doing this. The website stated that the Bible author maybe had never seen a locust and made a mistake, thinking that locusts had four legs, but I doubt the fact that the author had never seen a bird, and thought they had 4 legs and 2 wings.

The website went on to say that the King James using the word "other" in verse 23 to say "all other flying creeping things, which have four feet", was an insertion to help the Bible out. Well, I am a King James guy, but even so, the word "other" is found in many translations, including the NASB, BBE, WBS, ESV, HCSB, NIV, etc, etc...Even if the word other is not used in verse 23, this particular verse is not declaring all locusts to have 4 and not 6 feet, it is just saying don't eat crawling bugs (bugs that go on "all fours" or have "four feet" ie, crawling feet) unless it is one of the four just mentioned. Regardless of all the foot arguments, verse 42 is the catch-all: Whatsoever goeth upon the belly, and whatsoever goeth upon all four, or whatsoever hath more feet among all creeping things that creep upon the earth, them ye shall not eat; for they are an abomination.

Interesting to note, just as Gen 1 has Gen 2 to comment and retell the account, the above verse (Lev 11:42) is doing the same thing. Going on "all four" is just redescribing going "upon the belly". Some call this the Bible's 'built in dictionary'. The Bible often gives two or more descriptions of the same thing to give a clear understanding. This was the style in Hebrew:

Ps 140:5 The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the wayside; they have set gins for me.

As far as other 'contradictions', if you want to post a couple in particular at a time, I would be happy to give the rebuttal. I would research them yourself first, though. Most of the time if you just read the text in its context, you will see there is not a contradiction.

luckyd wrote:
http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/jim_meritt/bible-contradictions.html#good_to_all

what do you make of this...i know many of the bible contradictions are not good arguements, but there are some that make sense. like in genises when it says god made the creatures of the earth, but then it says god made man and THEN made creatures, or how it says that insects have 4 legs...things like that

Luckyd!

The fact that the website is infidels.org should be enough to know that this site is a snare and a trap.

If you don't know a lot of scripture, you could begin to doubt.

Please, stay away from it!!!

Blessings,

Forrest

Many of these alleged contradictions are answered [url=http://contenderministries.org/discrepancies/contradictions.php#9]here[/url].

It is important to remember that the first language of Holy Scripture is not 10th grade American high school biology class English. The ancient Jews had a different way of looking at things scientifically; certain creatures and organisms were simply not classified as they are today by our new world zoologists, paleontologists and botanists. Nevertheless, the Bible is true and scientifically accurate, and not one iota has ever been proven wrong at any time in all of history. There is an intelligent explanation for every "wrong" verse a skeptic can bring up.

bro LGB

Greetings in Jesus Name by whose Blood we are Bought and Reconciled to God. AMEN.

In the case of Genesis, I have heard an outstanding rebuttal that I will stick with until someone proves otherwise. The first is coming to the realistic conclution that Moses was not the author, he was the editor. The phrase, "these are the generations of" shows a new author is writing. This is the case starting at Genesis 2:4. We have the key phrase showing a new author is writing, and now the word "God" is not used, but instead, "Lord God". Genesis 1 is account of all creation being made. Gen 2:4 is recounting the creation; making a commentary. Ex: Genesis 2:9 tells what God "made to grow" (not created) in the garden. Not every tree, but "every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food". Gen 2:19 is describing the method God used to provide names for all the animals. The verse is simply saying that God brought the animals to Adam to be named.

You know, i have oft heard scholars debate over who wrote what book based on different writing styles. For example the book of Hebrews is said by some to have been written by Barnabas and others says Paul. Those who think it was someone other than Paul cite the differences in language and expressions. i wonder if we forget that it was Holy Spirit who wrote the book... :-? The word does say that no prophecy ever came from the will of men but Holy men spoke and wrote as they were moved by God. that's in one of the letters of Peter...which really are the letters of God through Peter. Does God use certain attributes peculiar to that person? to a degree i suppose, in as much as it serves His Purpose. Sme have said the John who wrote the Gospel with his name isn't the same as the one who wrote the Revelation! i think sometimes our scholars are fools themselves in some things, not all, choosing to look at what is of God with the natural eye and thus getting things all muddled up. i am not saying there is no use for scholarly study, but it is of no benefit unless it is Driven by the Spirit of God. To me (well but what do i know) it seems pretty plain Moses wrote the first 5 books, even the matter of his death. The style changes (as has been pointed out) in accordance to what God was working to do. God can do that. i don't see how the phrase "these are the generations of" or a use of a different Name for God being used necessarily means a different author. could you help me understand that? i'm sure if you go through your posts on s.i. (and i did the same) and read from the beginning up to now, you will probably find that they way you write has changed based on what God was having you say and what measure of Revelation He has given you. i know for sure if one read my first posts and the latest ones, even the scholars may say someone else wrote the later things! in a way though someone else [i][b]did[/b][/i]. God has so worked in my life as to make me more like Christ and so i am taking on His Perspective more and Thinking and Speaking more like Him. it's not a matter of style so much as it is a matter of Christ being formed in me and that being manifest.

i fear sometimes that our scholarly brethren in all their travails to bring out certain aspects of Scripture forget The Key, they forget to press into God to see what [i][b]He[/b][/i]has to say...is it possible that even concerning [i][b]Scripture[/b][/i]one can profess himself to be wise and become a fool like Paul said? If our study of the word and God is independant of Him, we will go off into left field and not even know it, let us not be so callous dear saints.

Grace and Peace be ours in Jesus' Name. AMEN

Want answeres?

[url=http://www.drdino.com/articles.php?spec=88]Contradictions in the Bible? (01)[/url]

[url=http://www.drdino.com/articles.php?spec=89]Contradictions in the Bible? (02)[/url]

[url=http://www.drdino.com/articles.php?spec=90]Contradictions in the Bible? (03)[/url]

[url=http://www.drdino.com/articles.php?spec=91]Contradictions in the Bible? (04)[/url]

PW,

I think that is an excellent point.

sb / iron,

First of all I greet both of you in brotherly love, and I don't say this to divide us, but to let iron sharpen iron.

I believe that we are to be prepared to answer in a scholarly fashion to those unbelievers or believers who ask us about any aspect of our faith or the Scriptures. First off, I am not one of those who think that 4 men wrote the OT or whatever, I believe that the Bible is the inspired, innerant, incorruptable Word of God. But that was not the question that the brother originally posted. If he had asked if the Holy Ghost had written the entire Bible, of course I would have answered 'yes'.

This said, the reason that I bring up that Moses did not originally pen the book of Genesis, is that he was not alive, obviously. This is not denial as to the inspiration of any of the Torah. I believe it is all inspired of God. The reason that "these are the generations of" is important, is that you will find that phrase 10 times in the book of Genesis, each time with an obvious change in focus and style. This was the beginning of a section from a different author, ie: Adam, Noah, Abraham, Joseph. Why would it be heresy to think that there was a collection of authors for Genesis, when we have a collection of authors for the Canon? The reason that I think that this view I hold is important is that it also shows that each author was eyewitness to what happened.

The more common view is that the book of Genesis was oral tradition handed to Moses from stories told between people. I doesn't bother me that people believe this, but it was never God's way to do this from Moses and onward, so why would it be outlandish to think that "holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" before Moses was alive.

All this said, and back to my original point, I don't spend alot of time discussing this issue, in fact my focus in much more in Christ being formed in us, prayer, revival, and evangelism, but like I said, I was just answering this brother's question as he asked it.

Also, sb, as far as studying the finer points of the Bible, this is not studying the doctrine of man, but God. For example, how God created man, God first created his body from the dust, and breathed into his nostrils, making man "a living soul". What I see in studying this is a foreshadowing of Christ. God brought Adam from seeming nothingness, just as He did with Christ from the tomb, and somewhat similarly to the birth of Christ. Dear brother, studying this is studying the Word of God. As far as authorship of books, if this is not important then why did God have some men to write their name as author of the book, ie: Luke, Paul, etc? If you don't want to study this, I won't fight you, but I don't think I am less spiritual, or anyone else for reading into the Word of God to study authorship.

God bless.

bro Lgb

i hope i didn't come across as though i was wanting to be divisive, if so, please forgive me bro.i guess i think that it seems from the time of Adam to Moses, people didn't write anything down but spoke as God led. by people i mean those of God. Now i believe God gave this account to Moses to write down. i would say though that scholars are often wrong so except we respond to unbelievers in a manner (scholarly or otherwise) Authored by Holy Spirit, we are not achieving anything. i would say though that scholars know some things but God knows all, i wonder how many of the questions God asked Job our scholars have been able to answer.

to me i find it easier (perhaps this is hy i believe this :-P ) to say simply Moses wrote the first 5 with Holy Ghost instructing him to make changes in writing and focus according to the Will of God. i think that is reasonable! all the same we agree that the word is the inspired and inerrant word of God.

All this said, and back to my original point, I don't spend alot of time discussing this issue, in fact my focus in much more in Christ being formed in us, prayer, revival, and evangelism, but like I said, I was just answering this brother's question as he asked it.

and this is the bottom line for in striving to be like Christ, all things are made plain.

Grace and Peace be ours in Jesus' Name. AMEN

I think that is reasonable, as well. I am glad that you and I both are not trying to be divisive, but just agreeing to disagree on a non-essential.

I would say that as far as focusing on non-essential teachings, I have done this in the past, but it just burns you out and makes you frustrated, wondering why everyone doesn't agree. I am very glad we are like-minded in striving to be like Christ.

bro Lgb

Greetings in Jesus' name by Whose Blood we are Saved. AMEN.

i'm glad we aren't being divisive, i know i have been guilty of this on these very boards and i bless God for the Mercy shown us both in leaving that stuff alone.

to strive to be like Christ will leave us at a place where things are made plain to us.

Grace and Peace be ours indeed in Jesus' Name. AMEN.