Isn't the Bible full of contradictions?

FAITH:

It is truly amazing how often this question is asked. This question contains the assumption that the Bible is filled with many obvious discrepancies which, if true, would make it impossible to believe that the Bible has a divine origin. It is a popular idea to maintain that the Bible disagrees with itself, which casts considerable doubt on its trustworthiness.

If, indeed, the Bible does contain demonstrable errors, it would show that at least those parts could not have come from a perfect, all-knowing God. We do not argue with this conclusion, but we do disagree with the initial premise that the Scriptures are full of mistakes. It is very easy to accuse the Bible of inaccuracies, but it is quite another matter to prove it.

Certain passages at first glance appear to be contradictory, but further investigation will show that this is not the case.

One of the things for which we appeal with regard to possible contradictions is fairness. We should not minimize or exaggerate the
problem, and we must always begin by giving the author the benefit of
the doubt. This is the rule in other literature, and we ask that it also be the rule here. We find so often that people want to employ a different set of rules when it comes to examining the Bible, and to this we immediately object.

What constitutes a contradiction? The law of non-contradiction, which is the basis of all logical thinking, states that a thing cannot be both a and non-a at the same time. In other words, it cannot be both raining and not raining at the same time.

If one can demonstrate a violation of this principle from Scripture, then and only then can he prove a contradiction. For example, if the Bible said—which it does not—that Jesus died by crucifixion both at Jerusalem and at Nazareth at the same time, this would be a provable error.

When facing possible contradictions, it is of the highest importance to remember that two statements may differ from each other without being contradictory. Some fail to make a distinction between contradiction and difference.

For example, the case of the blind men at Jericho. Matthew relates how
two blind men met Jesus, while both Mark and Luke mention only one.
However, neither of these statement denies the other, but rather they
are complementary.

Suppose you were talking to the mayor of your city and the chief of police at city hall. Later, you see your friend, Jim, and tell him you talked to the mayor today. An hour later, you see your friend, John, and tell him you talked to both the mayor and the chief of police.

When your friends compare notes, there is a seeming contradiction. But
there is no contradiction. If you had told Jim that you talked only to the mayor, you would have contradicted that statement by what you told John.

The statements you actually made to Jim and John are different, but not contradictory. Likewise, many biblical statements fall into this category. Many think they find errors in passages that they have not correctly read.

In the Book of Judges we have the account of the death of Sisera. Judges 5:25–27 is supposed to represent Jael as having slain him with her hammer and tent peg while he was drinking milk. Judges 4:21 says she did it while he was asleep. However, a closer reading of Judges 5:25–27 will reveal that it is not stated that he was drinking milk at the moment of impact. Thus, the discrepancy disappears.

Sometimes two passages appear to be contradictory because the translation is not as accurate as it could be. A knowledge of the original languages of the Bible can immediately solve these difficulties, for both Greek and Hebrew—as all languages—have their peculiarities that make them difficult to render into English or any other language.

A classic example concerns the accounts of Paul's conversion as recorded in the Book of Acts. Acts 9:7 (KJV) states, "The men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man." Acts 22:9 (KJV) reads, "And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me."

These statements seem contradictory, with one saying that Paul's
companions heard a voice, while the other account says that no voice was heard. However, a knowledge of Greek solves this difficulty. As the Greek scholar, W. F. Arndt, explains:

"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.

"Acts 22:9 does not deny that the associates of Paul heard certain sounds; it simply declares that they did not hear in such a way as to understand what was being said. Our English idiom in this case simply is not so expressive as the Greek" (Does the Bible Contradict Itself, pp. 13–14.)

It must also be stressed that when a possible explanation is given to a Bible difficulty, it is unreasonable to state that the passage contains a demonstrable error. Some difficulties in Scripture result from our inadequate knowledge about the circumstances, and do not necessarily involve an error. These only prove that we are ignorant of the background.

As historical and archaeological study proceed, new light is being shed on difficult portions of Scripture and many "errors" have disappeared with the new understanding. We need a wait-and-see attitude on some problems.

While all Bible difficulties and discrepancies have not yet been cleared up, it is our firm conviction that as more knowledge is gained of the Bible's past, these problems will fade away. The biblical conception of God is an all-knowing, all-powerful being who does not contradict Himself, and so we feel that His Word, when properly understood, will not contradict itself.
by Josh McDowell

John 14:1-3
1 Jesus said, "Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust in me. 2 There are many rooms in my Father's house; I would not tell you this if it were not true. I am going there to prepare a place for you.3 After I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me so that you may be where I am.

FRIENDS:
Lord, help me believe that You are the way, the truth, and the life. My heart years for the power of Your presence. Never let me doubt Your love and mercy, but strengthen me to tell others of Your saving grace and neverending love. May your Spirit direct my path daily and strengthen my commitment to Your purpose for without You, I am nothing. But with You, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!" Praise God....In Jesus' name, Amen.

DAILY BIBLE CHALLENGE

March 12
Matthew 25:1-13; Romans 8:1-17 Psalms 59; Numbers 28-30
March 13
Matthew 25:14-30; Romans 8:18- 39 Psalms 60; Numbers 31-32
March 14
Matthew 25:31-46; Romans 9:1-18; Psalms 61; Numbers 33-36

10 Things to be Thankful For
1. Sitting in the sun drinking a cup of tea
2. The sound of grandchildren playing
3. The sound of great grandchildren playing
4. Easeful days
5. Dreamless nights
6. Laughing til you can't catch your breath and your cheeks hurt
7. Well worn cowboy hat
8. Learning a new trick for storage
9. Finding something to help make you feel better
10 Family


FOOD:

Hamburger Corn Bread Casserole
1 pound lean ground beef
1 small onion, chopped
1 can (15 ounces) ranch-style beans
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
TOPPING:
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cornmeal
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup fat-free milk
1 tablespoon canola oil

In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no
longer pink; drain. Add the beans, tomatoes, chili powder and Worcestershire
sauce; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes.
Transfer to an 11-in. x 7-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. For
topping, in a small bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder
and salt. Combine the egg, milk and oil; stir into dry ingredients just
until moistened. Spoon over filling; gently spread to cover the top. Bake,
uncovered, at 425° for 14-18 minutes or until filling is bubbly and a
toothpick inserted into topping comes out clean. Let stand for 5 minutes
before cutting. Yield: 6 servings.

FUN:
Great stuff about AZ


You notice your car overheating before you drive it.
You no longer associate bridges or rivers with water.
You can hear the weather forecast of 115 degrees without flinching.
You can be in the snow, then drive for an hour...and it will be over 100 degrees.
You discover, in July it only takes two fingers to drive your car, because your steering wheel is so hot.
You run your air conditioner in the middle of winter so you can use your fireplace.
The best parking is determined by shade.....not distance.
You can make sun tea instantly.
Hotter water comes from the cold water tap than the hot one.
It's noon in July, kids are on summer vacation and yet all the streets are totally empty of both cars and people.
You actually burn your hand opening the car door.
Sunscreen is sold year round and kept right at the checkout counter.
You put on fresh sunscreen just to go check the mail box.
Some fools will market mini-misters for joggers and some other fools will actually buy them. Worse.....some fools actually try to jog.
You can pronounce Saguaro, Tempe, San Xavier, Canyon de Chelly, Mogollon Rim, Cholla, Gila and Tucson.
You can understand the reason for a town named "Why"
You can fry an egg on the hood of a car in the morning.
You can say "Hohokam" and people don't think you're laughing funny.
You hear people say "but it's a dry heat!"
You buy salsa by the gallon.
Your Christmas decorations include sand and l00 paper bags.
You think a red light is merely a suggestion.
All of your out-of-state friends start to visit after October but clear out come the end of April.
You think someone driving wearing oven mitts is clever.
Most of the restaurants in town have the first name "El" or "Los."
You think 60 tons of crushed red rock makes a beautiful yard.
Vehicles with open windows have the right-of-way in the summer.
Most homes have more firearms than people.
Kids ask, "What's a mosquito?"
People who have black cars or black upholstery in their car are automatically assumed to be from out of-state or nuts.
You know better than to get into a car with leather seats if you're wearing shorts.
You can finish a Big Gulp in 10 minutes and go back for seconds.
A rainy day puts you in a good mood
You "hug" a cactus only once in your lifetime.
When you have to look up "mass transit" in the dictionary.
A hundred ten in the shade is sorta hot, but you don't have to shovel it off your driveway.
Petrified doesn't mean scared.
The temperature drops below 95, you feel a bit chilly.
You've lived in AZ your whole life and have never been to the Grand Canyon
You would give anything to be able to splash cold water on your face.
You can attend any function wearing shorts and a tank top.
You realize that asphalt has a liquid state.
You realize that snowbirds aren't really birds at all, but just really bad out of state drivers that you learn to hate
There are only two temperatures, hot and hotter
Even thinking about not having air conditioning makes you sweat
You travel out of state and any sort of humidity nearly kills you
*you have no idea why 48 other states (Hawaii doesn't do it either) insist on changing their clocks twice a year for this thing called "daylight savings time"