Is The Word Of God Inconsistent?

[GRACE_ambassador]

"Inconsistencies are the way of man. Politicians are inconsistent; they
often promise one thing and do another, depending on how the political
winds are blowing. The testimony of a murderer is often inconsistent
with the evidence that is presented.

Even medical science is inconsistent with its own declarations. The conventional
wisdom years ago was to stay in bed for two weeks after major surgery to heal
properly. Today, most patients are required to be up and around the same day.

I recall the time I was speaking to a young dispensationalist who was
convinced that the “two...in the field; the one...taken, and the other
left” was clearly the Rapture. I graciously shared with him that he was
anticipating revelation. That is, he was taking something he had learned
from Paul’s writings and was superimposing it on the Lord’s teaching about
His Second Coming.

I pointed out to him that his view was inconsistent with the context of
Matthew 24. When I inquired who was removed from the earth in the
days of Noah, the believer or the unbeliever, he was speechless.

Unlike man, the Word of God is never inconsistent with Itself, even
though It may appear to be at times. God is omniscient; therefore,
His Word is like a finely woven tapestry from beginning to end.

A friend in Christ once wrote to me about an observation he had made
from the gospel according to Matthew: Here’s one that will probably stump
you—it has me! Matthew states that the “blood money” that was used to
purchase the potter’s field after Judas hanged himself was in fulfillment
of “...that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet” (Matt. 27:8-10).

I’ve searched the Book of Jeremiah thoroughly and I am sorry to report, it’s
not there. He’s right! A few years ago he would have had me over a barrel
on this one. But recently, I did some research on this portion and discovered
the solution to the problem staring me in the face.

Normally, the Gospel writers state, “as it is written...,” such as we have in
the case of John the Baptist (Compare Luke 3:4,5 & Isa. 40:3,4). However,
Matthew does not say that which was fulfilled was written.

Instead, Jeremiah is said to have spoken these words, which the Spirit of
God revealed to the apostle by a special revelation. This is another thread
of inspiration that is carefully interwoven throughout The Scriptures
(II Tim. 3:16; II Pet. 1:21).

Indeed, The Book you hold in your hand is The Word of God!
"
(P Sadler)

GRACE And Peace...

 

[phil36]

Matthew does what Mark has done.

Mark 1:2. (first line from Malachi).

It's not something that should stump anyone. Any Bible with a cross reference will show where the quotes are taken from.. As in the Markan example above, the Major prophet is quoted. Mark like Matthew does not mention the minor prophet in his quote.

Also it's in almost every commentary going back centuries..

 

[wattie]

Matthew does what Mark has done.

Mark 1:2. (first line from Malachi).

It's not something that should stump anyone. Any Bible with a cross reference will show where the quotes are taken from.. As in the Markan example above, the Major prophet is quoted. Mark like Matthew does not mention the minor prophet in his quote.

Also it's in almost every commentary going back centuries..

Funny how we say 'major and minor' for prophets

There is nothing 'minor' about what Ezra and Nehemiah did!

I suppose we say it to put the books to memory.

 

[phil36]

Funny how we say 'major and minor' for prophets

There is nothing 'minor' about what Ezra and Nehemiah did!

I suppose we say it to put the books to memory.

Well, it certainly has nothing to do with the key of music (Major/minor). 🎶😂

They are called major and minor because of their length rather than content.

 

[Nehemiah6]

There is nothing 'minor' about what Ezra and Nehemiah did!

But they are not included in the Minor Prophets. Ezra-Nehemiah is one book in the Hebrew Bible, and grouped within the Ketuvim (Kethubim) or Writings, also called "the Psalms" (since that is the first book in this group of 11 books).

Getting back to the title of this thread, the Bible is NOT inconsistent but consistent with spiritual truths.

 

[wattie]

But they are not included in the Minor Prophets. Ezra-Nehemiah is one book in the Hebrew Bible, and grouped within the Ketuvim (Kethubim) or Writings, also called "the Psalms" (since that is the first book in this group of 11 books).

Getting back to the title of this thread, the Bible is NOT inconsistent but consistent with spiritual truths.

Good to know thanks about Ezra and Nehemiah.. I knew they were one book in the Torah.. didn't know they weren't minor prophets.

 

[The_Watchers_2017]

I recall the time I was speaking to a young dispensationalist who was
convinced that the “two...in the field; the one...taken, and the other
left” was clearly the Rapture. I graciously shared with him that he was
anticipating revelation. That is, he was taking something he had learned
from Paul’s writings and was superimposing it on the Lord’s teaching about
His Second Coming.

I pointed out to him that his view was inconsistent with the context of
Matthew 24. When I inquired who was removed from the earth in the
days of Noah, the believer or the unbeliever, he was speechless.

i would have been speechless myself considering if you read Matthew 24:40-42 it is talking about the Coming of the Lord

40 Then two men will be in the field, one taken and one left.
41 Two women will be grinding at the mill, one taken and one left.
42 Therefore stay alert; for you do not know what day your Lord is coming.

why would it be the Second Coming when to be working in the fields or grinding at a mill is a JOB and you will need the Mark of the Beast to have a job during the last half of Tribulation. and how would Christians be working with sinners with the MOB and nothing be happening like it is foretold in Revelation? Everyone left on Earth will either have to accept the MOB or be beheaded. So how will Believers have a job and work with sinners without the MOB?

 

[Amanuensis]

I recall the time I was speaking to a young dispensationalist who was
convinced that the “two...in the field; the one...taken, and the other
left” was clearly the Rapture. I graciously shared with him that he was
anticipating revelation. That is, he was taking something he had learned
from Paul’s writings and was superimposing it on the Lord’s teaching about
His Second Coming.

I pointed out to him that his view was inconsistent with the context of
Matthew 24. When I inquired who was removed from the earth in the
days of Noah, the believer or the unbeliever, he was speechless.


GRACE And Peace...

If he would have been speaking to me, I would have graciously pointed to the context of the Lord's teaching itself and shown him how that in both cases Noah was taken in salvation from judgment that came upon those who were left and Lot was taken out of Sodom (literally taken by the arm because he lingered) and saved from the destruction that came upon Sodom.

This idea that they were not taken must be taught by someone trying to twist the Lords plain meaning. And the disciples were not asking where the people to be destroyed were taken they wanted to know where the people being saved were taken obviously thinking of themselves. "Where Lord?" And Jesus answers with a metaphor about how the vultures gather in the sky in a circle when a body is found. We know that we are promised to be gathered from all corners to meet the Lord in the Air. Where the body is, there will the eagles be gathered. This is a perfect metaphor of our mysterious supernatural gathering and the answer to "Where Lord?" Where will those that are taken, or saved from the destruction like Noah and Lot were taken out of the destruction that others were left to endure, "where will they be taken?" To the Lord in the air of course.

Now that you have seen the clear application to Lot having been taken out of Sodom you can't really see it any other way. And so we know that people can force an application and say things like "it is so obvious" but the well read are never "speechless." We graciously point out the bad hermeneutic that is being applied and by using the immediate context as superior we understand that both Noah and Lot were taken and other left to suffer judgment. This is the most natural understanding based on context.

The greek word for eagle and body in Luke instead of the word for vulture or carcase in other Gospels is not inconsistent but simply Lukes effort to take the edge off the negativity that might be assumed if it was an allegory but it is not, it is a metaphor and so Luke likes the use of eagle and body to communicate that Jesus is not putting meaning in the unclean nature of the vulture, or any reference to dead bodies due to judgment. Jesus is simply painting that picture in their minds of people being gathered in a central point in the sky where Jesus is gathering them.

I would graciously point these obvious things out to P Sadler and I am sorry that the poor fellow he confused and made speechless was not more familiar with the text. A few evangelical commentaries would have helped him as more than half will side with the interpretation I just gave. I know that CC can give someone the idea that the ones taken in judgment is the most popular view but it isn't really. It is a view that has been consistently proven to be the worst hermeneutic between the two views in a theological scholarly discussion. Google some seminary papers on this topic and read the presentations. If P Sadler had he would know that it his was the view that looses in most scholarly debates. If he wants to go about acting like everyone is poorly educated who does not agree with his interpretation he can, but it is he who looks poorly educated by not knowing that his interpretation is considered the weaker of the two.

 

[Amanuensis]

"Inconsistencies are the way of man. Politicians are inconsistent; they
often promise one thing and do another, depending on how the political
winds are blowing. The testimony of a murderer is often inconsistent
with the evidence that is presented.

Even medical science is inconsistent with its own declarations. The conventional
wisdom years ago was to stay in bed for two weeks after major surgery to heal
properly. Today, most patients are required to be up and around the same day.

I recall the time I was speaking to a young dispensationalist who was
convinced that the “two...in the field; the one...taken, and the other
left” was clearly the Rapture. I graciously shared with him that he was
anticipating revelation. That is, he was taking something he had learned
from Paul’s writings and was superimposing it on the Lord’s teaching about
His Second Coming.

I pointed out to him that his view was inconsistent with the context of
Matthew 24. When I inquired who was removed from the earth in the
days of Noah, the believer or the unbeliever, he was speechless.

Unlike man, the Word of God is never inconsistent with Itself, even
though It may appear to be at times. God is omniscient; therefore,
His Word is like a finely woven tapestry from beginning to end.

A friend in Christ once wrote to me about an observation he had made
from the gospel according to Matthew: Here’s one that will probably stump
you—it has me! Matthew states that the “blood money” that was used to
purchase the potter’s field after Judas hanged himself was in fulfillment
of “...that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet” (Matt. 27:8-10).

I’ve searched the Book of Jeremiah thoroughly and I am sorry to report, it’s
not there. He’s right! A few years ago he would have had me over a barrel
on this one. But recently, I did some research on this portion and discovered
the solution to the problem staring me in the face.

Normally, the Gospel writers state, “as it is written...,” such as we have in
the case of John the Baptist (Compare Luke 3:4,5 & Isa. 40:3,4). However,
Matthew does not say that which was fulfilled was written.

Instead, Jeremiah is said to have spoken these words, which the Spirit of
God revealed to the apostle by a special revelation. This is another thread
of inspiration that is carefully interwoven throughout The Scriptures
(II Tim. 3:16; II Pet. 1:21).

Indeed, The Book you hold in your hand is The Word of God!
"
(P Sadler)

GRACE And Peace...

Read this in context Luke 17

Notice things like ..."29But on the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained from heaven and destroyeda them all. "

And also...On that day, a man on the housetop, whose belongings are in the house, must not come down to get them.

Why must he not turn back to get them? He is being taken and won't need them. He is being taken out like Lot, don't look back like Lots wife.
Where Lord? To the Lord Jesus in the air of course.

It is really to obvious to mess up which is why he uses the example of Sodom and Lot. Don't let smooth talkers confuse you. The saints will be taken the others will be left to suffer destruction like Sodom. Now if you want to believe otherwise go ahead but don't act like people who see it the other way are simple. Maybe they are smart and see things clearly.

26“Just as it was in the days of Noah,a so it will be in the days of the Son of Man: 27People went on eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriagea until the day Noah boarded the ark,b and the flood came and destroyed them all. 28It will be the same as it was in the days of Lot:a People went on eating, drinking, buying, selling, planting, building. 29But on the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained from heaven and destroyeda them all. 30Ita will be like that on the day the Son of Man is revealed.b 31On that day, a man on the housetop, whose belongings are in the house, must not come down to get them. Likewise the man who is in the field must not turn back. 32Remember Lot’s wife!a 33Whoever tries to make his life securea B will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.a 34I tell you, on that nighta two will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other will be left. 35Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left.”A

37“Where, Lord? ”a they asked him.

He said to them, “Where the corpse is, there also the vulturesb will be gathered.”