biblical contradictions: hit me

[bobbygreenbear]

ok, so i hear over and over "there are tons of contradictions in the bible." there are myriads of websites that list apparent contradictions. i spent a couple years studying biblical greek and hebrew, and i'd like to see if i can take on some apparent contradictions.

i believe the bible, in its original writings, is the inspired word of God. i believe jesus christ is my savior of my sins. i also know that there there are differences in the manuscripts we have today, so some of them must have errors from the original. i don't believe that any translation, in any language, is perfect, but i do think most of them do an excellent job at being true to the original, so you know where i'm coming from

i don't claim that i'll have all the answers, i'm sure there might be apparent contradictions that i may not have answers for, but i'd like to try.

so rather than just quipping "there are so many contradictions" why not list one and i'll try to answer them, from the original languages


peace

bobbygreenbear Reviewed by bobbygreenbear on 04-25-2007. biblical contradictions: hit me ok, so i hear over and over "there are tons of contradictions in the bible." there are myriads of websites that list apparent contradictions. i spent a couple years studying biblical greek and hebrew, and i'd like to see if i can take on some apparent contradictions. i believe the bible, in its original writings, is the inspired word of God. i believe jesus christ is my savior of my sins. i also know that there there are differences in the manuscripts we have today, so some of them must have Rating: 5

[bobbygreenbear]

i'll get it started with a typical website contradiction.


God good to all, or just a few?

PSA 145:9 The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.

JER 13:14 And I will dash them one against another, even the fathers and the sons together, saith the LORD: I will not pity, nor spare, nor have mercy, but destroy them.



this is a hard one. you'll see God in the bible many times as a loving and caring father, and other times as a vengeful destroyer. in fact, a lot of folks have thought that the God of the old testament is incompatible with the God of the new testament, because He seems to be filled with rage and destruction in the old, and love and mercy in the new.

the best way i can answer this question (and i know it's not a great answer) is that God is not bound by human emotion or characteristics. He is both love, and He is also holy, perfect, and hates sin. "sin" means "missing the mark" and is anything short of perfection. so when you here me say "we're all sinners" i think you'll understand that i mean, none of us is perfect. it is important when reading the bible to realize that God is descending to our level to interpret heavenly things to us.

anyway, this sort of "contradiction" may be impossible for some to get over. the reason is because you're implying human characteristics on the allmighty. we don't tend to show great wrath, and also mercy and kindness, but God is not human, nor bound by our imperfections.

this explanation might sound like a cop-out, and it doesn't really explain why God is the way He is (that's one i can't answer), but i think it's a critical point when understanding the bible.

[bobbygreenbear]

disclaimer: i wanted to say, i understand that most of y'all probably don't think that the bible is the word of God, and that's the perspective you're coming from. i do believe it is, and that's the perspective i'm coming from. i'm certainly not trying to force anything on anyone, i have plenty of doubts about life, the universe and everything; just want to try to explain the bible from the perspective of a believer.


DON'T PANIC

.........free anti-christian rant to the first person to recognize that reference :thumbsup:

[JackdaWack]

if you have read the bible, the first testament speaks mainly as god as the "ruler" of the people, with no mercy and forgivness.

Once you hit the new testament and the comming of jesus, we see a total turn around as god being a savor, and he with all the mercy and forgivness.

It was made this way so we see the mercy limits of god, we have a lifetime of mercy, but on our day of judgement god has no mercy.

Personally i think its a load of BS, because any god whom tests his people through human sacrifice is just wrong.

From the teachings of Abraham we can see the controversy instilled when God asked him to kill his child in the name of god, Abraham with the ax in his hand about to do it, and god say's you have proven your love to me.

[LaidZeppelin]

if humans are dumb as sheep why should we go to church and listen to what pastors think the scriptures mean.. going to church is a little to much like the catholic church before the protestant reformation for me.

[40oz]

I have a question greenbear. What other historical documents does jesus appear in besides the bible?

[PureEvil760]

Your all looking at it wrong, even me..the bible is just another reflection of self. Say you stare at a rock and study it for years and years. Now, after years of study you have all these ideas and thoughts surrounding the rock. Somone seeing it for the first time will have a completely different perception. Thats just somthing simple, now imagine the bible in the same context.

[Stemis516]

I have a question greenbear. What other historical documents does jesus appear in besides the bible?

he appears on ancient roman documents actually...his birth and existence is listed on the ancient roman census that is mentioned in the bible (the reason they flee to bethlehem)...he also appears in other roman records that he was executed by crucifixtion for treason against the roman empire

also he appears in an ancient jewish text (fuck i cant think of the name of the book right now, some1 help me) but anyways, this text was written by rabbis during jesus' time and it explains the rights and history of jews living in that day...it mentions a man named jesus who performed "magic" and it warned jews of the time to be wary of him


so if your questioning jesus' existence at all then there you go....its a pretty common truth that jesus was a historical person and did exist....the only thing up in the air is if he rose from the dead....we can even take the fact that he performed "magic" as stated by ancient rabbis of proof of some miracles....that or maybe jesus was just a really good illusionist...i really dont know

[Mark Bryan]

also he appears in an ancient jewish text (fuck i cant think of the name of the book right now, some1 help me)

You have either the Torah or the Talmud.

[Stemis516]

the talmud.....thats the one, thanks bro