Contradictions in the Bible?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
N

NEWTOCHRISTIANITY

Guest
#21
I'd like to believe that there are no contradictions in The Holy Bible!
 
May 22, 2024
59
14
8
#22
As a fundamentalist, I believe that everything in the Bible is literal fact
One has to realise that there are many different literary techniques used in the bible.
Not every poetic passage is literally true ditto the apocalyptic passages or the hyperbole used in prose.
A simple example.
John10:7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.[a] They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Jesus says he is ' the gate ' is he literally a wooden gate?
Or is he using a figure of speech.

In reading 5he Bible we have to be aware of the different forms of literature and to understand those different forms of literature.
 

wattie

Senior Member
Feb 24, 2009
3,236
1,130
113
New Zealand
#23
I'm independent fundamental Bible Baptist as far as labels go.

But the main thing is taking scripture as it is. Not trying to impose on it your own agenda.

Like with an agnostic or atheist critiquing the bible. They assume supernatural can't happen before studying so chop scripture into pieces to suit there apriori assumptions.

And then you can get believers who see Genesis as entirely figurative, assuming evolution is true before studying.

Gotta let the bible speak and interpret itself.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
13,776
113
#26
However, last week I noticed that the Gospels of Matthew and Mark appear to contradict each other when they describe what the women who visited Jesus' tomb did after they found that He was gone
In response please note:
1. There are NO contradictions in the Holy Bible. It is the Word of God, and God does not contradict Himself.

2. God did in fact give each of the Gospel writers (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) exactly what to write, by divine inspiration. So God the Holy Spirit is the ultimate Author.

3. You will need to put each of the account in parallel columns, to get the whole picture. Even so there are things which have not been mentioned but may be legitimately assumed after looking at everything.

Hope this helps.
 

studentoftheword

Well-known member
Nov 12, 2021
1,721
596
113
#27
In response please note:
1. There are NO contradictions in the Holy Bible. It is the Word of God, and God does not contradict Himself.
People need to get this and stop taking scripture out of Context ----claiming contradictions ----it is ridiculous to say God who is perfect contradicts Himself in His Own Word
 

homwardbound

Senior Member
Oct 24, 2012
16,530
491
83
#28
As a fundamentalist, I believe that everything in the Bible is literal fact, but I am struggling to understand how both of these accounts could be correct, as they so obviously differ. Are they both true or is only one of them correct? If so, which one?

I would appreciate your opinions on this matter. Thank you, and may God bless you.
You have witnesses to the event, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. Many more, that are not recorded and some that are like Peter in 1, 2 Peter

However, If you see each Gospel writer, has the same exact, close to exact testimony, then it is more likely not true. What?????????
We all are viewing this event and each person will remember a little differently than the other person. These accounts are their views they saw, and reported. They are not the same exact views of the others. Yet, seeing the same sight each saw and tell us all about this good news for salvation to be given us, in the risen Christ, not the dead Christ. Christ went willingly to death once, to reconcile us as forgiven by his Father forever. So we can be thankful and ask Father for the new life in the risen Christ to lead us new as born again by God who simply loves us all. Otherwise, going to that cross willingly was in Vain. And until one finalizes it was for them along with everyone else, one will not see new life, if one does (even doubts) not believe, by God they are forgiven by God in Son for them. One will not see the new life offered them, Why? These, people would be too busy trying to remain forgiven by not believing they are forgiven by God. These get caught up in doing Law and can't do it perfectly ever. But Son did that for us all to believe, receive and see
And please see these verses below in any version you wish, thank you


Hebrews 10:10-12

Authorized (King James) Version

10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12 but this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
 

homwardbound

Senior Member
Oct 24, 2012
16,530
491
83
#29
People need to get this and stop taking scripture out of Context ----claiming contradictions ----it is ridiculous to say God who is perfect contradicts Himself in His Own Word
If one is not seeing in the Holy Spirit, one cannot see the truth, you are correct, there really are no contradictions in the Bible once one is born new from God to them in continued belief to God, no matter what troubles happen to them
 

homwardbound

Senior Member
Oct 24, 2012
16,530
491
83
#30
Easy,,,,, there where multiple visits to the tomb..

When they first ran to tell the disciples they where met with derision..

(Luke 24:10-11) "It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles. {11} And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not."

Some of the woman had to go back and double check to convince themselves they had not be hilucinating. They decided to then tell the disciples that the body of Jesus had been taken to force the disciples to come to the tomb to verify that Jesus was no longer there..

(John 20:2-3) "Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. {3} Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre."

The different accounts are different Points of View of not one but a number of visits to the tomb the woman had to repeat to finally get the men to come and see that Jesus was gone..
yes, and the was seen in the upper room as risen, wow
 
May 22, 2024
9
11
3
#31
Of course there are contradictions in the Bible!

Contradiction (definition):
(1) a combination of statements, ideas, or features of a situation that are opposed to one another.
(2) the statement of a position opposite to one already made.

Example:
Proverbs 26:4–5 (NASB 2020): Do not answer a fool according to his foolishness,
Or you will also be like him.
Answer a fool as his foolishness deserves,
So that he will not be wise in his own eyes.

Something weird happened there; there is an obvious contradiction. It was intended.

Don’t hide it, ignore it, or pretend it isn’t important - in fact its close positioning informs us that the author meant for you to ponder the contradiction.

The genre of Proverbs is Wisdom Literature.
Readers can find wisdom in its sayings. There are times when one saying applies and times when the opposite saying fits better.

When we find something weird in the Bible; something that doesn’t seem to fit or appear to be a contradiction, it needs to be investigated.
Sometimes you’ll find an answer quickly, other times you might need to lay it aside and allow yourself time to find its intended meaning.
There even may be instances where you never fully understand, where by faith you accept the discrepancy and await the time when we will fully know (1 Cor. 13:12).
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
17,130
3,689
113
#32
Of course there are contradictions in the Bible!

Contradiction (definition):
(1) a combination of statements, ideas, or features of a situation that are opposed to one another.
(2) the statement of a position opposite to one already made.

Example:
Proverbs 26:4–5 (NASB 2020): Do not answer a fool according to his foolishness,
Or you will also be like him.
Answer a fool as his foolishness deserves,
So that he will not be wise in his own eyes.

Something weird happened there; there is an obvious contradiction. It was intended.

Don’t hide it, ignore it, or pretend it isn’t important - in fact its close positioning informs us that the author meant for you to ponder the contradiction.

The genre of Proverbs is Wisdom Literature.
Readers can find wisdom in its sayings. There are times when one saying applies and times when the opposite saying fits better.

When we find something weird in the Bible; something that doesn’t seem to fit or appear to be a contradiction, it needs to be investigated.
Sometimes you’ll find an answer quickly, other times you might need to lay it aside and allow yourself time to find its intended meaning.
There even may be instances where you never fully understand, where by faith you accept the discrepancy and await the time when we will fully know (1 Cor. 13:12).
Your NASB has a contradiction. Who did Elhanan kill? Did he kill Goliath or his brother?

2 Samuel 21:19 And there was war with the Philistines again at Gob, and Elhanan the son of Jaare-oregim the Bethlehemite killed Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam.

1 Chronicles 20:And there was war with the Philistines again, and Elhanan the son of Jair killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam.
 

homwardbound

Senior Member
Oct 24, 2012
16,530
491
83
#33
Of course there are contradictions in the Bible!

Contradiction (definition):
(1) a combination of statements, ideas, or features of a situation that are opposed to one another.
(2) the statement of a position opposite to one already made.

Example:
Proverbs 26:4–5 (NASB 2020): Do not answer a fool according to his foolishness,
Or you will also be like him.
Answer a fool as his foolishness deserves,
So that he will not be wise in his own eyes.

Something weird happened there; there is an obvious contradiction. It was intended.

Don’t hide it, ignore it, or pretend it isn’t important - in fact its close positioning informs us that the author meant for you to ponder the contradiction.

The genre of Proverbs is Wisdom Literature.
Readers can find wisdom in its sayings. There are times when one saying applies and times when the opposite saying fits better.

When we find something weird in the Bible; something that doesn’t seem to fit or appear to be a contradiction, it needs to be investigated.
Sometimes you’ll find an answer quickly, other times you might need to lay it aside and allow yourself time to find its intended meaning.
There even may be instances where you never fully understand, where by faith you accept the discrepancy and await the time when we will fully know (1 Cor. 13:12).
The mysteries of God's full love and mercy given us, thank you
 
May 22, 2024
9
11
3
#34
Your NASB has a contradiction. Who did Elhanan kill? Did he kill Goliath or his brother?

2 Samuel 21:19 And there was war with the Philistines again at Gob, and Elhanan the son of Jaare-oregim the Bethlehemite killed Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam.

1 Chronicles 20:And there was war with the Philistines again, and Elhanan the son of Jair killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam.
The NASB responsibly translated the BHS Hebrew text.
Look closely at the KJV text of 2 Samuel 21 and you will see the italicized words they added to the text.
 

Burn1986

Active member
Mar 4, 2024
918
212
43
#35
Dear friends in Jesus,

Ever since I was Saved, I have been an avid reader of the Holy Bible, especially the New Testament. I love reading about all of the amazing things that Our Lord and Saviour Jesus did.

However, last week I noticed that the Gospels of Matthew and Mark appear to contradict each other when they describe what the women who visited Jesus' tomb did after they found that He was gone:

Matthew 28:8 - "So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell His disciples."
Mark 16:8 - "Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid."

In addition to this, in the Gospel of Mark it says that Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome went to the tomb (Mark 16:1), but in the Gospel of Matthew, only Mary Magdalene and "the other Mary" went to the tomb (Matthew 28:1).

As a fundamentalist, I believe that everything in the Bible is literal fact, but I am struggling to understand how both of these accounts could be correct, as they so obviously differ. Are they both true or is only one of them correct? If so, which one?

I would appreciate your opinions on this matter. Thank you, and may God bless you.
I guess you should try to get unsaved then, since you found the contradiction. Well you had a good Christian run buddy
 

TheLearner

Well-known member
Jan 14, 2019
8,193
1,577
113
68
Brighton, MI
#36
Dear friends in Jesus,

Ever since I was Saved, I have been an avid reader of the Holy Bible, especially the New Testament. I love reading about all of the amazing things that Our Lord and Saviour Jesus did.

However, last week I noticed that the Gospels of Matthew and Mark appear to contradict each other when they describe what the women who visited Jesus' tomb did after they found that He was gone:

Matthew 28:8 - "So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell His disciples."
Mark 16:8 - "Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid."

In addition to this, in the Gospel of Mark it says that Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome went to the tomb (Mark 16:1), but in the Gospel of Matthew, only Mary Magdalene and "the other Mary" went to the tomb (Matthew 28:1).

As a fundamentalist, I believe that everything in the Bible is literal fact, but I am struggling to understand how both of these accounts could be correct, as they so obviously differ. Are they both true or is only one of them correct? If so, which one?

I would appreciate your opinions on this matter. Thank you, and may God bless you.
Matthew 28:8 - "So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell His disciples."
Mark 16:8 - "Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid."

Describe the same emotions

The events are not written on a time line sequencually.
 
N

NEWTOCHRISTIANITY

Guest
#38
As Christians, I really don't think that we should be even thinking about "contradictions" in Our Holy Bible!!
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
17,130
3,689
113
#40
The NASB responsibly translated the BHS Hebrew text.
Look closely at the KJV text of 2 Samuel 21 and you will see the italicized words they added to the text.
Did Elhanan kill Goliath?