Does God contradict Himself in the Scriptures?

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Dec 10, 2015
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#1
There are many different Doctrines and teachings from the Scriptures that different groups use different verses to try and defend their belief about what is being taught.

Good examples are Doctrines about Salvation and the Rapture and the tribulation.

How can we have so many different teachings on the same subject? Does this mean God contradicts Himself? Or could it be because we are mere Humans we do not have the ability to completely understand what God is saying?
 
3

3Scoreand10

Guest
#2
NO---NEVER
If He did, the Word would be foolishness and of no benifit.
There are so many teaching because of a lack of understanding that is the result of a lack of PROPER study.
 

phil36

Senior Member
Feb 12, 2009
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#3
God is truth, and all knowedge comes from Him.. The problem is with us. The main things tht are very clear in scripture is the centrality of the gosel message in Jesus Christ. Other issues iike end times/baptism etc are secondary issues, we all have our view on what we think the bible says on these secondary things and even tertiary issues.

When the reformers spoke of the perspicuity of scripture or its clearness, they were speaking of that which man needs to know to be saved, they did not mean all scriture is as clear. thats a big mistake we hear, especially from those who say 'I just need my bible, no need for teachers.

So I think you will find on primary issues we should all be saying the same thing, on secondary issues we can debate and they do have meaning, tertiary issues well they dont matter that much really.
 
May 15, 2013
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#4
There are many different Doctrines and teachings from the Scriptures that different groups use different verses to try and defend their belief about what is being taught.

Good examples are Doctrines about Salvation and the Rapture and the tribulation.

How can we have so many different teachings on the same subject? Does this mean God contradicts Himself? Or could it be because we are mere Humans we do not have the ability to completely understand what God is saying?
Because everyone has their own freewill that makes their perception different from others, that is why we need the spirit of God in us so that we can have a heart like God; By having His spirit in us will show us all the truth that we needed to know and having us to perceive the things in the way He perceives them and which in the scriptures it describes it as seeing through His eyes.

Luke 21:15 For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.
 

mailmandan

Senior Member
Apr 7, 2014
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#5
NO---NEVER
If He did, the Word would be foolishness and of no benifit.
There are so many teaching because of a lack of understanding that is the result of a lack of PROPER study.
Amen! God NEVER contradicts Himself and Scripture must harmonize with Scripture when making a proper interpretation or else we have a contradiction. Lack of proper study, biased beliefs from church indoctrination can certainly lead to misinterpretations.
 
J

JesusIsAll

Guest
#6
NO---NEVER
If He did, the Word would be foolishness and of no benifit.
There are so many teaching because of a lack of understanding that is the result of a lack of PROPER study.

People Clapping.gif Excellent answer. It would help if those people sincere and righteous on message boards kept in mind there's a substantial Reformed Christian community having none of the arguments you see here, that online forums are also a pulpit for tares, ignorance and every cult. The word of God is very consistent and harmonious, not a scintilla of contradiction. Anyway, you really nailed that, 3Scoreand10!
 
D

Depleted

Guest
#7
There are many different Doctrines and teachings from the Scriptures that different groups use different verses to try and defend their belief about what is being taught.

Good examples are Doctrines about Salvation and the Rapture and the tribulation.

How can we have so many different teachings on the same subject? Does this mean God contradicts Himself? Or could it be because we are mere Humans we do not have the ability to completely understand what God is saying?
C. None of the above.
(There are other options. To give only two is very humanistic. This is a trick in humanism propaganda training. Don't fall for it.)
 
3

3Scoreand10

Guest
#8

View attachment 144274 Excellent answer. It would help if those people sincere and righteous on message boards kept in mind there's a substantial Reformed Christian community having none of the arguments you see here, that online forums are also a pulpit for tares, ignorance and every cult. The word of God is very consistent and harmonious, not a scintilla of contradiction. Anyway, you really nailed that, 3Scoreand10!
I am a very simple man. Some have suggested "simple minded".
And with respect to Mailmandan, the problem is trying to "intrepret" when we should try to UNDERSTAND.
 

notuptome

Senior Member
May 17, 2013
15,050
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#9
Just one way we know that our interpretation and application is correct. If we find contradiction in Gods word to how we understand one part of scripture then we probably have it wrong and need to reconcile our understanding with all the other scriptures.

When correctly interpreted and applied scripture is completely harmonious. Only with the leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit can we receive the correct knowledge of the scriptures. This is partly influenced by our maturity in Gods word and our walk with the Lord. This is why discipleship is so critical. Sound doctrine is a must when feeding God sheep. A lesson given to Peter from the Lord.

For the cause of Christ
Roger
 

mailmandan

Senior Member
Apr 7, 2014
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#10
I am a very simple man. Some have suggested "simple minded".
And with respect to Mailmandan, the problem is trying to "intrepret" when we should try to UNDERSTAND.
In regards to understanding Scripture. We need the Holy Spirit to teach us.

1 Corinthians 2:11 - For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. 13 These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
 
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3Scoreand10

Guest
#11
I am a very simple man. Some have suggested "simple minded".
And with respect to Mailmandan, the problem is trying to "intrepret" when we should try to UNDERSTAND.
I never open my Bible without my Webster's dictionary and my Greek and Hebrew dictionary.
There is no understanding of what is said in the Word if we do not understand every word.
Its a process. It takes time. And it takes much prayer.
 
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3Scoreand10

Guest
#12
In regards to understanding Scripture. We need the Holy Spirit to teach us.

1 Corinthians 2:11 - For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. 13 These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Agreed, and He will lead us through the WORD>
 

blue_ladybug

Senior Member
Feb 21, 2014
70,862
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#13
NO---NEVER
If He did, the Word would be foolishness and of no benifit.
There are so many teaching because of a lack of understanding that is the result of a lack of PROPER study.

IMO, yes he does, several times in the Bible. I mean, he creates the world, sees how evil it is, so he kills off almost everybody and starts again. He says what foods are not for us to eat, then recinds that command and tells us it's okay to eat them now. He says he won't give us more than we can bear, when OBVIOUSLY that is not true, or so many wouldn't commit suicide because they feel their burden is too much. He says we can be instantly healed, or even heal ourselves, yet THAT rarely happens these days.

These are just a few examples I can think of, off the top of my head. The bible seems to be nothing BUT contradictions of God.. jmo
 
Nov 23, 2013
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#14
There are many different Doctrines and teachings from the Scriptures that different groups use different verses to try and defend their belief about what is being taught.

Good examples are Doctrines about Salvation and the Rapture and the tribulation.

How can we have so many different teachings on the same subject? Does this mean God contradicts Himself? Or could it be because we are mere Humans we do not have the ability to completely understand what God is saying?
The reason we have so many different teachings is because no one really believes the bible exactly for what it says. Prime example below. Plain, simple, easy to read and easy to understand English.... and people wont believe it.

1 Timothy 2:12 KJV
But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
 
J

JesusIsAll

Guest
#15
I am a very simple man. Some have suggested "simple minded".
And with respect to Mailmandan, the problem is trying to "intrepret" when we should try to UNDERSTAND.
You don't seem simple minded, at all, at least the way you usually hear that. But simple is very good for Bible study, the premise that God means what He says, that He is not the author of confusion. Nobody needs to diagram sentences of clear verses. What's complicated is confusion, and that only the chaos that results from lack of understanding, but this has nothing to do with the word of God and His clear message that blooms, over years of diligent study. It just takes a lot of study in the entire Bible, as you need the whole Bible to properly to interpret itself, when something seems a contradiction, zero-in on that passage and its context, consult trusted scholars, and very soon you'll see what is actually being said. There are no contradictions.
 
Sep 4, 2012
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#16
I am a very simple man. Some have suggested "simple minded".
And with respect to Mailmandan, the problem is trying to "intrepret" when we should try to UNDERSTAND.
So true. Understanding must come first because it is light. Knowledge comes second.
 

NayborBear

Banned Serpent Seed Heresy
#17
There are many different Doctrines and teachings from the Scriptures that different groups use different verses to try and defend their belief about what is being taught.

Good examples are Doctrines about Salvation and the Rapture and the tribulation.

How can we have so many different teachings on the same subject? Does this mean God contradicts Himself? Or could it be because we are mere Humans we do not have the ability to completely understand what God is saying?
Isiah-6 (KJV)

8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying , Whom shall I send , and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
9 And he said , Go , and tell this people, Hear ye indeed , but understand not; and see ye indeed , but perceive not.
10 Make the heart of this people fat , and make their ears heavy , and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert , and be healed .
11 Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered , Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant , and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate ,
12 And the LORD have removed men far away , and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land.


Matt. 13 (KJV)

12 For whosoever hath , to him shall be given , and he shall have more abundance : but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath .
13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand .
14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith , By hearing ye shall hear , and shall not understand ; and seeing ye shall see , and shall not perceive :
15 For this people's heart is waxed gross , and their ears are dull of hearing , and their eyes they have closed ; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted , and I should heal them.
 

NayborBear

Banned Serpent Seed Heresy
#18
(And?)

Ezek.13

1 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying ,
2 Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy , and say thou unto them that prophesy out of their own hearts, Hear ye the word of the LORD;
3 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow * their own spirit, and have seen nothing!
4 O Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts.
5 Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the LORD.
6 They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying , The LORD saith : and the LORD hath not sent them: and they have made others to hope that they would confirm the word.
7 Have ye not seen a vain vision, and have ye not spoken a lying divination, whereas ye say , The LORD saith it; albeit I have not spoken ?
8 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye have spoken vanity, and seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you, saith the Lord GOD.
9 And mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies: they shall not be in the assembly of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I am the Lord GOD.
10 Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying , Peace; and there was no peace; and one built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered morter:
 
3

3Scoreand10

Guest
#19
You don't seem simple minded, at all, at least the way you usually hear that. But simple is very good for Bible study, the premise that God means what He says, that He is not the author of confusion. Nobody needs to diagram sentences of clear verses. What's complicated is confusion, and that only the chaos that results from lack of understanding, but this has nothing to do with the word of God and His clear message that blooms, over years of diligent study. It just takes a lot of study in the entire Bible, as you need the whole Bible to properly to interpret itself, when something seems a contradiction, zero-in on that passage and its context, consult trusted scholars, and very soon you'll see what is actually being said. There are no contradictions.
You brought us a very importand truth.
The ALL the word must be studied if there is to be understanding.
Often when I study and come to an understanding of one passage, BING, the light cones on and I understand what was a mystery before.
 

hornetguy

Senior Member
Jan 18, 2016
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#20
NO. Never. God can obviously change His mind, but He never contradicts himself.