Does the Bible Contradict Itself? - Part 1
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes [Proverbs 26:4-5].
“Lookee there! A contradiction in the Bible! I knew it! I knew! The Bible does too contain errors! See! This proves it!”
Such are the rantings of typical worldly gainsayers. They search high and low, devoting themselves exclusively to disproving the Bible. They spend inordinate amounts of time sniffing like an old hound dog for the evidence to “prove” what they’ve already determined to be the case. They are staunch card-carrying activists in the anti-Bible brigade. The motto of this organization is, Don’t confuse me with the facts. I’ve already made up my mind!
But is there really a contradiction in Proverbs 26, between verse 4 and verse 5? A lot is at stake here, doctrines like,
• Biblical inerrancy
• Biblical infallibility
• Holy Spirit inspiration
We mustn’t be slapdash in drawing conclusions based on appearance, dear friends, lest we enjoy having egg on the face! As Rule # 4 for Bible study states: When something in the Bible is not understandable or seems in error, consider that our understanding is more likely in error than is God’s! Amen to that.
“Okay then, teacher,” challenges our local skeptic. “You think you know so much. Explain the contradiction if you can.” And then he sits back on his haunches, a smug look on his face and his chest puffed outward several inches, with a hat size considerably larger than before he began his display of wisdom.
Why thank you for the invite, my dear gainsayer. I’ll be glad to…except I didn’t say I could explain everything, only that we mere mortals are more likely in error than is God. Plus I can’t explain the contradiction because there is no contradiction. It is circular reasoning to assert that something nonexistent exists, and then demand that it be explained! Nice try though. It seems to work out there among the worldly folk.
The so-called “contradiction” is merely ostensible, on the surface, superficial. Those who are content to go by first impressions might see one. But to understand the Bible, we must learn the truth of Proverbs 2:4, that we search for the truth as hard as we would search for buried treasure. Half-hearted and perfunctory rituals won’t cut it, dear friends.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Deuteronomy: Volume 5 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. For more info please visit these sites to purchase my books:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
“Lookee there! A contradiction in the Bible! I knew it! I knew! The Bible does too contain errors! See! This proves it!”
Such are the rantings of typical worldly gainsayers. They search high and low, devoting themselves exclusively to disproving the Bible. They spend inordinate amounts of time sniffing like an old hound dog for the evidence to “prove” what they’ve already determined to be the case. They are staunch card-carrying activists in the anti-Bible brigade. The motto of this organization is, Don’t confuse me with the facts. I’ve already made up my mind!
But is there really a contradiction in Proverbs 26, between verse 4 and verse 5? A lot is at stake here, doctrines like,
• Biblical inerrancy
• Biblical infallibility
• Holy Spirit inspiration
We mustn’t be slapdash in drawing conclusions based on appearance, dear friends, lest we enjoy having egg on the face! As Rule # 4 for Bible study states: When something in the Bible is not understandable or seems in error, consider that our understanding is more likely in error than is God’s! Amen to that.
“Okay then, teacher,” challenges our local skeptic. “You think you know so much. Explain the contradiction if you can.” And then he sits back on his haunches, a smug look on his face and his chest puffed outward several inches, with a hat size considerably larger than before he began his display of wisdom.
Why thank you for the invite, my dear gainsayer. I’ll be glad to…except I didn’t say I could explain everything, only that we mere mortals are more likely in error than is God. Plus I can’t explain the contradiction because there is no contradiction. It is circular reasoning to assert that something nonexistent exists, and then demand that it be explained! Nice try though. It seems to work out there among the worldly folk.
The so-called “contradiction” is merely ostensible, on the surface, superficial. Those who are content to go by first impressions might see one. But to understand the Bible, we must learn the truth of Proverbs 2:4, that we search for the truth as hard as we would search for buried treasure. Half-hearted and perfunctory rituals won’t cut it, dear friends.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Deuteronomy: Volume 5 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. For more info please visit these sites to purchase my books:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
No comments have been added yet.
