Tuesday, August 08, 2006

Contradictions in the Bible?

Say it isn't so! Wait.. don't say that.. err maybe we should say that it seems like there are contradictions in the Word. But if God is the God He says He is then how can He be wrong or make mistakes. Maybe He was mistaken about not being able to make mistakes?

I'll be using the examples I'm studying in the Biblical Evangelism course. The information presented here is consistant with all such contradictions.

Who did Jesus apear to first? Was it Mary Magdalene as it says in Mark or was it Peter as it says I Corinthians? The first person was Mary. The first man was Peter. In I Cor Paul was making a legal defense of the Resurrection and listed the testamony of men.

Here's the actual order of who He appeared to;

1. Mary Magdalene John 20:10–18
2. Mary and women Matthew 28:1–10
3. Peter 1 Corinthians 15:5
4. Two disciples Luke 24:13–35
5. Ten apostles Luke 24:36–49; John 20:19–23
6. Eleven apostles John 20:24–31
7. Seven apostles John 21
8. All apostles Matthew 28:16–20;Mark 16:14–18
9. 500 brethren 1 Corinthians 15:6
10. James 1 Corinthians 15:7
11. All apostles Acts 1:4–8
12. Paul Acts 9:1–9; 1 Corinthians 15:8

Ok next one.

What was written on the sign on the Cross?

Matt 27:37 says “This is Jesus the King of the Jews”
Mark 15:26 says “The King of the Jews”
Luke 23:38 says “This is the King of the Jews”
John 19:19 says “Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews”

So which is it? Here's what it said on the sign, "This is Jesus of Nazereth the King of the Jews"

The Bible is full of things to trap the proud as shown in Luke 10:21 and I Cor 1:27 giving them fodder enough to build their own gallows.

The account of the capture of Zedekiah is also of interest. Three times it is said that God would judge him and he would be brought to Babylon. Yet is also said in Ezekiel 12:13 that he would not see Babylon. Sounds like God made a mistake right? How can you be brought some place but never see it. If you're blind. The king of Babylon blinded him before he brought him to the city as recorded in Jer 39:6-7.

There are no real contradictions in the Word, but there are many things that the proud man can point to if he finds them to say there are. Hopefully you will study with faith as you read the Word of God and look for answers, not problems. This is not to say a Christian should gloss over any supposed problem. If there is something which leaves you wondering about the accuracy of the Word it's our duty to investigate it. We are always to have an answer for the hope that's in us. Made up, or wrong answers don't cut it.

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