Apparent Contradictions

Both, and.

Many apparent contradictions in fact aren't, but rather are two sides of the same coin.

Much truth is presented to the human mind as what, at first sight, appear to be contradictory concepts. The consequence of this is that, in many cases, the application of that truth becomes a choice as to where we position ourselves between two extremes. We human beings prefer absolutes and have a tendency, particularly when debating such issues, to take up the more extreme positions.

An understanding of the Word of God is not for the casual passer-by but for those who will come aside and seek the mind of God as revealed in what is written therein. It is by resolving in our mind these apparent conflicts that we mature in our understanding of God and of his Word.

It is by this means that the Lord defines the territory, sets the boundaries and then guides us to the position that he has prepared for us.

As an example, there has often been contention between those who consider themselves to be "practical" Christians and those who are considered to be "spiritual." This is, to some extent, a conflict between what may be said to be objective and subjective Christian experience.

The first say that "to be too heavenly minded is to be no earthly good" and that we should promote a more “social” Gospel. The second say that our primary goal is our relationship with God and that, in order to maintain that relationship, we should avoid unnecessary contact with the world. Both concepts have, at times, been taken to extremes in ways that have benefited no-one.

In fact, when seen in their proper context, both are right and both are clearly taught in Scripture.

Above all else, guard your heart,
for everything you do flows from it. (Proverbs 4:23, NIV)

As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. (James 2:26, NIV)

Without a fruitful and properly aligned inward relationship with God all our works will be nothing more than "beating the air," that is, powerless, ineffectual and ultimately unprofitable (1 Corinthians 13:1‑3). On the other hand, a relationship with God that does not profoundly influence our behaviour and produce appropriate “deeds" is a pretence (James 2:14‑26).

It is only through the work of the Holy Spirit within our inner being that these two opposing truths can be brought into proper balance. No amount of scriptural analysis can bring this about. I would venture to say that the Lord has ordained it this way so that at the end of the day everything depends upon our relationship with him rather than upon an intellectual approach to the understanding of Scripture. The balance will thus be different for each individual according to our personalities and the gifts and callings that God has placed upon our lives and in the very act of seeking this balance we grow in the grace and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We have seen this principal at work in the seemingly contradictory advice we are given about the role that we ourselves play in working out the practicalities of our lives as part of the New Creation in Christ.

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. (Philippians 2:12–13, NIV)

We are told here that “it is God who works in you,” while in the same breath we are told “continue to work out your salvation.” Then what does God do and what is our role? Where is the dividing line?

And so we could go on.

So what do we do? Do we assume that we are to take hold of what we possess in Christ, define the direction we are to take and make it all work out for us as we have planned? Or do we do nothing until God provides us with the inspiration and opportunities and only then rely on his power to achieve what is now set before us? Both of these concepts appear to be taught in Scripture and can be seen at work in the lives of men and women of God in the Bible. So we must conclude that, when taken in their proper context, both are right. How do we then know where to position ourselves between these two seemingly contradictory principles?

It seems to me that, for a very good reason, Scripture does not give us clear-cut answers to these profound questions. This is because the answer is different for each one of us. It is, I believe, only through the work of the Holy Spirit within our inner being that these two opposing positions can be brought into proper balance. No amount of scriptural analysis can bring this about. As before, everything depends upon our relationship with him rather than upon an intellectual approach to the understanding of Scripture. And again, this balance will be different for each individual according to our personalities and the gifts and callings that God has placed upon our lives and in the very act of seeking this balance we grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

So, I believe it is important to be understood that what the human mind may see as conflicts and contradictions in the Bible exist to take us beyond our intellect into the realm of the Holy Spirit where these issues are resolved in ways which are in accord with the eternal purpose of God in each individual. Until we are freed from the limitations of and dependence upon the human intellect, we will never come to know the Lord as he has ordained that we should know him.

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. (Ephesians 1:17, NIV)

An apparent contradiction in scripture is due to an improper understanding of how two apparent contradictions, though when properly understood, actually harmonize into an even deeper understanding of the whole. I believe that these apparent contradictions actually add to the credibility of the bible. It is like how, two witnesses give their testimony that is identical in all pertinent aspects. Such testimony would be considered suspect.

Much truth is presented to the human mind as what, at first sight, appear to be contradictory concepts. The consequence of this is that, in many cases, the application of that truth becomes a choice as to where we position ourselves between two extremes. We human beings prefer absolutes and have a tendency, particularly when debating such issues, to take up the more extreme positions.

An understanding of the Word of God is not for the casual passer-by but for those who will come aside and seek the mind of God as revealed in what is written therein. It is by resolving in our mind these apparent conflicts that we mature in our understanding of God and of his Word.

It is by this means that the Lord defines the territory, sets the boundaries and then guides us to the position that he has prepared for us.

As an example, there has often been contention between those who consider themselves to be "practical" Christians and those who are considered to be "spiritual." This is, to some extent, a conflict between what may be said to be objective and subjective Christian experience.

The first say that "to be too heavenly minded is to be no earthly good" and that we should promote a more “social” Gospel. The second say that our primary goal is our relationship with God and that, in order to maintain that relationship, we should avoid unnecessary contact with the world. Both concepts have, at times, been taken to extremes in ways that have benefited no-one.

In fact, when seen in their proper context, both are right and both are clearly taught in Scripture.

Above all else, guard your heart,
for everything you do flows from it. (Proverbs 4:23, NIV)

As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. (James 2:26, NIV)

Without a fruitful and properly aligned inward relationship with God all our works will be nothing more than "beating the air," that is, powerless, ineffectual and ultimately unprofitable (1 Corinthians 13:1‑3). On the other hand, a relationship with God that does not profoundly influence our behaviour and produce appropriate “deeds" is a pretence (James 2:14‑26).

It is only through the work of the Holy Spirit within our inner being that these two opposing truths can be brought into proper balance. No amount of scriptural analysis can bring this about. I would venture to say that the Lord has ordained it this way so that at the end of the day everything depends upon our relationship with him rather than upon an intellectual approach to the understanding of Scripture. The balance will thus be different for each individual according to our personalities and the gifts and callings that God has placed upon our lives and in the very act of seeking this balance we grow in the grace and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We have seen this principal at work in the seemingly contradictory advice we are given about the role that we ourselves play in working out the practicalities of our lives as part of the New Creation in Christ.

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. (Philippians 2:12–13, NIV)

We are told here that “it is God who works in you,” while in the same breath we are told “continue to work out your salvation.” Then what does God do and what is our role? Where is the dividing line?

And so we could go on.

So what do we do? Do we assume that we are to take hold of what we possess in Christ, define the direction we are to take and make it all work out for us as we have planned? Or do we do nothing until God provides us with the inspiration and opportunities and only then rely on his power to achieve what is now set before us? Both of these concepts appear to be taught in Scripture and can be seen at work in the lives of men and women of God in the Bible. So we must conclude that, when taken in their proper context, both are right. How do we then know where to position ourselves between these two seemingly contradictory principles?

It seems to me that, for a very good reason, Scripture does not give us clear-cut answers to these profound questions. This is because the answer is different for each one of us. It is, I believe, only through the work of the Holy Spirit within our inner being that these two opposing positions can be brought into proper balance. No amount of scriptural analysis can bring this about. As before, everything depends upon our relationship with him rather than upon an intellectual approach to the understanding of Scripture. And again, this balance will be different for each individual according to our personalities and the gifts and callings that God has placed upon our lives and in the very act of seeking this balance we grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

So, I believe it is important to be understood that what the human mind may see as conflicts and contradictions in the Bible exist to take us beyond our intellect into the realm of the Holy Spirit where these issues are resolved in ways which are in accord with the eternal purpose of God in each individual. Until we are freed from the limitations of and dependence upon the human intellect, we will never come to know the Lord as he has ordained that we should know him.

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. (Ephesians 1:17, NIV)

We have seen this principal at work in the seemingly contradictory advice we are given about the role that we ourselves play in working out the practicalities of our lives as part of the New Creation in Christ.

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. (Philippians 2:12–13, NIV)

We are told here that “it is God who works in you,” while in the same breath we are told “continue to work out your salvation.” Then what does God do and what is our role? Where is the dividing line?

To: Dino246, tourist, CS1, Guojing and Scribe:
I was referring to Scriptures that could be seen as contradicatory to simple, uneducated minds such as mine (the ignorant and unlearned). I am talking about those who have not heard of words such as exegesis or hermeneutics. Such as we have the unfortunate need to rely upon the Holy Spirit for an understanding of his Word and the unveiling of God’s purpose in our lives.

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. (John 16:13, NIV)

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. (Romans 8:14, NIV)


I quote from Millard J Erickson’s book “Christian Theology” (p1245):
“There are certain dangers associated with the study of theology. There are certain theological diseases to which one is exposed and which one may contract as a result of this endeavour. Helmet Thielicke has described several of them quite vividly in his Little Exercise for Young Theologians. ‘One of the most common and most serious is the sin of pride. When we have acquired a considerable sophistication in matters of theology, there is a danger that we will regard that knowledge as a badge of virtue, something that sets us apart as superior to others. We may use that knowledge, and particularly the jargon we have acquired, to intimidate others who are less informed. We may take advantage of our superior skills, becoming intellectual bullies.’

“Or our knowledge of theology may lead us to a type of theological gamesmanship, in which the arguing of one theory against another becomes our whole purpose in life. But this is to convert what should be the most serious of matters into a sport.”


But further than this:
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. (1 Corinthians 1:27‑29, NIV)

God has always done this and he still is.

It is important that we not make anything out of "continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling" as though it were a stand alone statement BECUASE IT IS NOT. It must include "not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence" in order to maintain the meaning that Paul intended.

We are told here that “it is God who works in you,” while in the same breath we are told “continue to work out your salvation.” Then what does God do and what is our role? Where is the dividing line?

Sorry, but that interpretation simply does not allow for the fact that (1) the Holy Spirit gave Paul the words to write, and (2) God already knew that Paul's life on earth would be shortly terminated. But since Scripture is written for all time and for all churches, "continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling" is indeed a stand alone statement, which corresponds to many similar statements.

Much truth is presented to the human mind as what, at first sight, appear to be contradictory concepts. The consequence of this is that, in many cases, the application of that truth becomes a choice as to where we position ourselves between two extremes. We human beings prefer absolutes and have a tendency, particularly when debating such issues, to take up the more extreme positions.

An understanding of the Word of God is not for the casual passer-by but for those who will come aside and seek the mind of God as revealed in what is written therein. It is by resolving in our mind these apparent conflicts that we mature in our understanding of God and of his Word.

It is by this means that the Lord defines the territory, sets the boundaries and then guides us to the position that he has prepared for us.

As an example, there has often been contention between those who consider themselves to be "practical" Christians and those who are considered to be "spiritual." This is, to some extent, a conflict between what may be said to be objective and subjective Christian experience.

The first say that "to be too heavenly minded is to be no earthly good" and that we should promote a more “social” Gospel. The second say that our primary goal is our relationship with God and that, in order to maintain that relationship, we should avoid unnecessary contact with the world. Both concepts have, at times, been taken to extremes in ways that have benefited no-one.

In fact, when seen in their proper context, both are right and both are clearly taught in Scripture.

Above all else, guard your heart,
for everything you do flows from it. (Proverbs 4:23, NIV)

As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. (James 2:26, NIV)

Without a fruitful and properly aligned inward relationship with God all our works will be nothing more than "beating the air," that is, powerless, ineffectual and ultimately unprofitable (1 Corinthians 13:1‑3). On the other hand, a relationship with God that does not profoundly influence our behaviour and produce appropriate “deeds" is a pretence (James 2:14‑26).

It is only through the work of the Holy Spirit within our inner being that these two opposing truths can be brought into proper balance. No amount of scriptural analysis can bring this about. I would venture to say that the Lord has ordained it this way so that at the end of the day everything depends upon our relationship with him rather than upon an intellectual approach to the understanding of Scripture. The balance will thus be different for each individual according to our personalities and the gifts and callings that God has placed upon our lives and in the very act of seeking this balance we grow in the grace and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We have seen this principal at work in the seemingly contradictory advice we are given about the role that we ourselves play in working out the practicalities of our lives as part of the New Creation in Christ.

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. (Philippians 2:12–13, NIV)

We are told here that “it is God who works in you,” while in the same breath we are told “continue to work out your salvation.” Then what does God do and what is our role? Where is the dividing line?

And so we could go on.

So what do we do? Do we assume that we are to take hold of what we possess in Christ, define the direction we are to take and make it all work out for us as we have planned? Or do we do nothing until God provides us with the inspiration and opportunities and only then rely on his power to achieve what is now set before us? Both of these concepts appear to be taught in Scripture and can be seen at work in the lives of men and women of God in the Bible. So we must conclude that, when taken in their proper context, both are right. How do we then know where to position ourselves between these two seemingly contradictory principles?

It seems to me that, for a very good reason, Scripture does not give us clear-cut answers to these profound questions. This is because the answer is different for each one of us. It is, I believe, only through the work of the Holy Spirit within our inner being that these two opposing positions can be brought into proper balance. No amount of scriptural analysis can bring this about. As before, everything depends upon our relationship with him rather than upon an intellectual approach to the understanding of Scripture. And again, this balance will be different for each individual according to our personalities and the gifts and callings that God has placed upon our lives and in the very act of seeking this balance we grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

So, I believe it is important to be understood that what the human mind may see as conflicts and contradictions in the Bible exist to take us beyond our intellect into the realm of the Holy Spirit where these issues are resolved in ways which are in accord with the eternal purpose of God in each individual. Until we are freed from the limitations of and dependence upon the human intellect, we will never come to know the Lord as he has ordained that we should know him.

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. (Ephesians 1:17, NIV)

Theologians have, over the centuries, brought the search for an understanding of God down to an intellectual exercise using “the wisdom of the world,” that is techniques introduced by early Greek philosophers and developed further in academia. It is this that God has “made foolish” (1 Corinthians 1:20).

The reason for doing this was to gain the favour of the intellectuals of the day and to achieve some status within the academic community and thus the wider world.

While acknowledging the major role that theology has played at various times in history in preserving the basic understanding of Scripture, it has had a devastating impact upon the day‑to‑day experience of the average Christian. Its intended consequence was to exclude the uninitiated from the inner circle. In other words, it separated an elite that can know God from the rest of us who cannot, at least not without their help and then only to a limited degree.

This is, of course, in complete contradiction to New Testament teaching which so clearly tells us that under the terms of the New Covenant:
No longer will they teach their neighbour,
or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’
because they will all know me,
from the least of them to the greatest. (Hebrews 8:11, NIV)

This is why Jesus instructed us to approach God with the simplicity of a little child (Luke 14:5).
At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. (Matthew 11:25, NIV)

Frankly that sounds like a made up theory by someone who has never read a systematic theology book, attended a bible college or even read a New Testament or Old Testament Survey book and is guessing about what goes on in a bible college.

Yes. That is pretty much the answer I was expecting.