“The Bible is full of errors and contradictions.” You may have heard of this remark before.
“Sure or not? OK, show it to me some of the errors.” That would be a likely response from a Christian.
To be honest, there are indeed some seemingly “errors” that I know. I believe there are more than I can list, but anyway let me show you some.
Error #1 – Order of creation – man or animal created first?
Genesis chapter one is a systematic narrative of the creation story and human – man and woman are created last, after God created the animals. (Gen 1:24-30). But when you read Genesis 2:7, it described God creating man from dust. He finds the man to be alone, and so God decides to create the animals in Gen 2:18-20. So, who did God created first, man or animals?
Error #2. Proverbs 26:4,5 - to answer or not to answer a fool?
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be like him yourself.
Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.
So what should we do, answer a fool or not to answer a fool? A dilemma indeed!!
Error #3 – Who incite David to census Israel – God or Satan?
2 Sam 24:1 Again the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, "Go and take a census of Israel and Judah."
1Chron 21:1 Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel.
So who actually incited David to take a census of Israel, the LORD or Satan?
Error #4 – The Beattitude – Jesus sitting on mountainside or standing on level place?
There is this passage called the Beattitudes in Matthew chapter 5.
In Mat 5:1,2: Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them saying:
There is also a similar passage in Luke 6:17 onwards
He went down with them and stood on a level place. …Looking at his disciples, he said:
The same message but in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus is sitting down on a mountainside, while in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus is standing on a level place. Isn’t that contradiction?
Error #5 – Temptation of Jesus – order of temptation #2 & #3 reversed in Gospel of Matthew and Gospel of Luke. Who is right?
Gospel of Matthew:
1st temptation – turning stone to bread (Mat 4:3-4)
2nd temptation – ask Jesus to jump from temple top (Mat 4:5-7)
3rd temptation – to worship Satan (Mat 4:8-10)
Gospel of Luke:
1st temptation – turning stone to bread (Luke 4:3-4)
2nd temptation – to worship Satan (Luke 4:5-8)
3rd temptation – ask Jesus to jump from temple top (Luke 4:9-12)
There must be some error. Who is right?
I am sure you to have discover some "errors". Care to share it? How would you respond to such seemingly errors?
Perhaps a thought came to my mind as you ponder how to answer Bible critics. I am no artist and I personally don’t understand why many people say Leonardo Da Vinci’s drawing of Mona Lisa is a master piece. To me it is just another ordinary drawing not worth thousands of dollars. But I know I am wrong, because I know nothing about art. The artists may be right to say that Mona Lisa is a masterpiece. Strange!
Likewise, Bible scholars insist that there is no error in Bible. Strange!
Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. (Prov 30:5a)
Mark Lim
3 comments:
Some errors seem insignificant. Like in which order Jesus was tempted or which was created first, man or animal. But are there errors that seriously affect theology?
But I do have this question, if the books of the Bible were decided if they were to be included or not in the Bible (is it called cannon?), then it would definitely be in harmony since every book that wasn't were removed? How then can that be a proof that it is the Word of God?
Isaac
Hey Isaac, I want to ask what u asked too. Yeah Uncle Mark, any ideas?
Canon (Greek word for "rule") does not mean the Early church leaders decide which books to be included in the Bible base on harmony, or in agreement with one another.
Canon is a test of whether a book is inspired by God. So if a book may "seem" in disharmony but showed a strong indication of God's inspiration, it is included. Such book would be like Song of Solomon (like an ancient sex book)so if base on harmony or agreement would be thrown out by the Canon. Another book that seem in disharmony would be Ecclesiastes for reason (if you have read the book) that the book sound pessimistic in life.
Canon is based on:
1. History of Authority & Usage - Early Jews and Church Leaders all are using them long before it became authorized. In others word, there is no dispute
2. Doctrine consistency - The teaching of Christian faith is consistence. Eg. There is one God.
3. Prophetic Authority / Apostic Authority - the writer must be Apostles (or related to apostles like Luke and Mark) or Prophets. Of course, there will be many counterfeit name like Gospel of Thomas. So, it is a challenge to verify the writer credential.
4.Claim to be Word of God. like God spoke to me ... (but of course, this can be faked).
Really, Canonicity is not an easy job and it took a long time (inclluding seeking God) to come up with our present 66 books. Again, catholic has 72 books,6 of which Christian does not agree on.
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