Contradictions in the Bible—Why Are They There?
I have a soft spot for Ray Comfort and that other one that I hear used to be a child actor. Not in a creepy way, you understand, it’s just that they always make me smile when I see, hear or read some of the absolute craziness that they come out with. You remember the atheist’s nightmare, don’t you? Well, that’s just the tip of this particular insanity-iceberg.
Just now, I came across their ‘witnessing tool’, Answers from the Evidence Bible, which purports to “answer” some of the questions that evangelical christians might come across, or may have themselves.
There’s one question, “Contradictions in the Bible—Why Are They There?”, and the answer is just so out-there that I thought I’d share:
The Bible has many seeming contradictions within its pages. For example, the four Gospels give four differing accounts as to what was written on the sign that hung on the cross. Matthew said, “This is Jesus the King of the Jews” (27:37). However, Mark contradicts that with “The King of the Jews” (15:26). Luke says something different: “This is the King of the Jews” (23:38), and John maintains that the sign said “Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews” (19:19).
Those who are looking for contradictions may therefore say, “See—the Bible is full of mistakes!” and choose to reject it entirely as being untrustworthy. However, those who trust God have no problem harmonizing the Gospels. There is no contradiction if the sign simply said, “This is Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews.”
The godly base their confidence on two truths: 1) “all Scripture is given by inspiration of God” (2 Timothy 3:16); and 2) an elementary rule of Scripture is that God has deliberately included seeming contradictions in His Word to “snare” the proud. He has “hidden” things from the “wise and prudent” and “revealed them to babes” (Luke 10:21), purposely choosing foolish things to confound the wise (1 Corinthians 1:27).
My emphasis. Isn’t that precious? I guess that’s why all those christians go around saying “the bible is the truth, I mean two truths” then. And that “elementary rule” of deliberate contradictions is just, [wow, blows my mind I can't even think of a suitable word]!
You might want to take a look yourself. No, go, read, really. I don’t think people can get infuriated with this; it’s just far too hilarious.
March 29th, 2007 at 11:32 pm
I love Luke 10:21. Talk about nonsense…
Still, I suppose they are saying religion is for idiots… :-)
March 30th, 2007 at 2:37 am
I saw the ‘Make Poverty History’ link and I thought I’d share this thought,
Luke 18:18-22
18 A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
19 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’[b]”
21 “All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said.
22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
It’s funny you know. I know many “religious” people and I don’t see them selling their posessions and giving to the poor. Ever been to the Vatican? There’s enough gold and marble to end world poverty overnight.
Keep up the good work,
Shakeshead.
March 30th, 2007 at 7:54 am
You’re not the first person to make this observation…
April 2nd, 2007 at 3:13 pm
This was over twenty years ago, but during my visit to the Vatican I seem to recall that one could buy suckers with the image of the Pope on it. Can anyone corroborate this? I know I definitely saw 3-D postcards of Christ on the cross. I was also very disgusted with all of the obscene wealth on display. However, being completely immature, my foremost thought was all of those confessionals would be the perfect place to get very friendly with another person. Merkin J. Pus-Tart
April 2nd, 2007 at 4:47 pm
As long as it wasn’t a man in a dress, eh? ;-)