The Growing Challenge of Alleged Bible Contradictions
In recent years, the charge that the Bible contradicts itself has gained traction, especially among those who have not undertaken a deep study of the Scriptures. Many critics echo this sentiment without having read the Bible themselves. However, the presence of supposed contradictions is not a new phenomenon. Throughout history, many have encountered passages that, on the surface, seem contradictory, leading to confusion or doubt about the trustworthiness of the Bible. The purpose of this chapter is to equip readers with the tools to defend the Bible against such criticism (1 Peter 3:15), contend for the faith (Jude 1:3), and assist those who may be wavering in their belief (Jude 1:22-23).
To begin addressing these concerns, let's dive into two significant Bible difficulties to demonstrate that reasonable and logical answers exist. Following this, we will explore the broader topic of Bible difficulties and how to resolve them.
Is God Permitting Human Sacrifice in Judges 11:29-34, 37-40?
The account of Jephthah in Judges 11 has long perplexed readers. In this narrative, Jephthah makes a vow to Jehovah, promising to offer as a burnt offering whatever comes out of his house to greet him if he returns victorious from battle. Upon his return, it is his daughter who comes out to meet him, leading to a difficult and often misunderstood conclusion.
First, it is important to note that the text does not explicitly state that Jephthah killed his daughter. The interpretation that he did so is an inference, not a direct statement. A closer examination of the context suggests a different understanding. The idea of human sacrifice is abhorrent in the Hebrew Scriptures, explicitly forbidden by Jehovah (Leviticus 18:21; 20:2-5; Deuteronomy 12:31; 18:10). The law against human sacrifice was a defining feature that set Israel apart from the surrounding nations, who practiced such rituals.
Given this context, it is more plausible that Jephthah offered his daughter in perpetual service to Jehovah, much like Hannah dedicated Samuel to the service of Jehovah at the temple (1 Samuel 1:11, 22). This would explain why she went to the mountains to mourn her virginity, not her impending death (Judges 11:37-38). If she were facing death, there would be no need to mourn her virginity, as she could have married before her execution. Instead, her mourning indicates that she would remain a virgin, thereby ending Jephthah's lineage. This interpretation aligns with the text's emphasis on her virginity and the customs of the time.
Moreover, if Jephthah had actually sacrificed his daughter, it would contradict his inclusion in the list of faithful individuals in Hebrews 11. The text in Hebrews commends Jephthah for his faith, not for violating Jehovah's law. This supports the understanding that Jephthah fulfilled his vow in a manner consistent with Jehovah's commandments, offering his daughter as a living sacrifice in service rather than as a burnt offering.
Does Isaiah 45:7 Mean That God Is the Author of Evil?
Isaiah 45:7 is another verse that has caused confusion, particularly in how it is translated and understood. The verse reads: "I form the light and create darkness; I make peace and create calamity; I am Jehovah, who does all these things" (UASV). The Hebrew word translated as "calamity" (ra‛) has a broad range of meanings, including "evil," "disaster," and "calamity." Critics often point to this verse to argue that Jehovah is the creator of evil in the moral sense.
However, the context and broader biblical theology clarify this issue. The Bible consistently teaches that Jehovah is holy and righteous, incapable of committing or creating moral evil (1 John 1:5; Habakkuk 1:13; James 1:13). When Isaiah 45:7 states that Jehovah creates "calamity" or "evil," it refers to the disasters or judgments that Jehovah brings upon those who oppose His will. These acts of judgment are righteous and just, not morally evil.
For example, the judgments brought upon Egypt during the Exodus (Exodus 7-12) or the destruction of the Canaanites (Deuteronomy 7:1-2) were acts of divine justice, not moral evil. These judgments were consequences of sin and rebellion against Jehovah. Similarly, when Jehovah pronounced judgment on Adam and Eve, resulting in sickness, old age, and death (Genesis 3:17-19), it was a just response to their disobedience, not an act of moral evil.
In this light, Isaiah 45:7 should be understood as describing Jehovah's sovereign control over all aspects of the world, including the bringing of justice and calamity upon the wicked. It is not a statement that Jehovah is the author of moral evil but rather that He is the righteous judge who administers justice.
The Inerrancy of Scripture: Addressing Apparent Contradictions
If the Bible is truly the Word of God, it must be consistent and free from contradictions. However, some passages appear contradictory when compared with others. For example, Numbers 25:9 states that 24,000 died from the scourge, while 1 Corinthians 10:8 says that 23,000 died. How can these numbers be reconciled?
The doctrine of inerrancy holds that the original writings of the Bible are without error in all that they affirm, whether in matters of faith, history, or science. The variations in numbers, such as the case with Numbers 25:9 and 1 Corinthians 10:8, can often be explained by understanding the context and the intended meaning of the author. In this case, Paul may have been referring to those who died in a single day, while Numbers records the total number who perished in the entire event. Such differences do not undermine the truth of the Scriptures but reflect the different perspectives and purposes of the biblical writers.
Different Levels of Inerrancy
Liberal to moderate Scholars have identified various levels of inerrancy, ranging from absolute inerrancy to the inerrancy of purpose. Conservative scholars remain faithful to absolute inerrancy, which asserts that the Bible is fully true and exact in every detail, including scientific and historical data. Full inerrancy, on the other hand, acknowledges that the Bible was not written as a scientific or historical textbook but remains true in all that it affirms, even when using phenomenological language or rounding numbers.
For instance, when the Bible speaks of the "four corners of the earth" (Isaiah 11:12), it is not making a scientific statement about the shape of the earth but using a figure of speech to describe the entirety of the earth. Similarly, when the Bible records approximations or rounded numbers, it does so without compromising the truthfulness of the message.
The Transmission and Preservation of the Scriptures
The Bible was written over a span of 1,600 years by about 40 different writers from various walks of life. These writers were inspired by Jehovah, ensuring that the original manuscripts (autographs) were inerrant. However, the copies of these manuscripts, produced by scribes over the centuries, were not inspired in the same way, and thus, errors (textual variants) have crept into the text over time.
Despite these textual variants, the vast majority of the Bible's content has been preserved with remarkable accuracy. The science of textual criticism, which compares the thousands of existing manuscripts, allows scholars to identify and correct these errors, providing a text that closely reflects the original autographs. This process of restoration has ensured that modern readers can trust the reliability of the Scriptures.
Addressing Specific Bible Difficulties
Let's examine some specific Bible difficulties and how they can be resolved:
1. Where Did Cain Get His Wife?
Genesis 4:17 mentions that Cain had a wife and a son named Enoch. Critics often ask where Cain's wife came from, given that only Adam, Eve, and their sons are mentioned in the early chapters of Genesis. However, Genesis 5:4 states that Adam had "sons and daughters." Cain likely married one of his sisters or a niece, as was necessary in the early generations of humanity. At that time, close intermarriage would not have posed the genetic risks that it does today, as humanity was closer to perfection. Later, the Mosaic Law would prohibit such marriages to prevent genetic defects (Leviticus 18:9).
2. Did God Harden Pharaoh’s Heart?
Exodus 4:21 states that Jehovah would harden Pharaoh's heart, while Exodus 7:13 shows that Pharaoh hardened his own heart. The hardening of Pharaoh's heart was a result of his own stubbornness in response to Jehovah's actions. Jehovah knew that the miracles performed by Moses would lead Pharaoh to harden his heart, but He did not force Pharaoh to do so. Instead, Pharaoh's resistance was a product of his own willful defiance.
3. The Bronze Serpent: An Idol or a Symbol?
Numbers 21:9 records that Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole so that those who were bitten by snakes could look at it and live. Critics argue that this contradicts the commandment against making idols. However, the bronze serpent was not intended as an object of worship but as a symbol of Jehovah's provision for healing. It was only later, during the reign of Hezekiah, that the Israelites began to worship the serpent, and Hezekiah destroyed it (2 Kings 18:4).
4. Did Joshua Conquer All the Land or Not?
Joshua 11:23 states that Joshua took the whole land, yet Joshua 13:1 says there was still much land to be possessed. These statements refer to different stages of the conquest. Joshua's initial campaign subdued the major Canaanite cities, effectively breaking the power of the Canaanites. However, the individual tribes were responsible for driving out the remaining inhabitants in their allotted territories, a task that was not fully completed.
5. Has Anyone Seen God?
John 1:18 states that "no one has seen God," while Exodus 24:10 mentions that Moses and others "saw the God of Israel." The resolution lies in understanding that "seeing God" in these contexts refers to different types of experiences. No one has seen Jehovah in His full glory (Exodus 33:20), but individuals have seen manifestations of His presence, such as the "glory of Jehovah" or an angel representing Jehovah (Exodus 24:16; Luke 2:9).
6. How Did Judas Die?
Matthew 27:5 states that Judas hanged himself, while Acts 1:18 describes him as falling headlong and his intestines bursting out. These accounts are complementary, not contradictory. Judas hanged himself, and his body later fell, either because the rope or branch broke, leading to the gruesome scene described in Acts.
7. The Purchase of a Burial Place: Abraham or Jacob?
Stephen's speech in Acts 7:15-16 mentions that Abraham bought the tomb at Shechem, while Genesis 33:19 credits Jacob with purchasing the land. A reasonable explanation is that Abraham initially bought the land, but it was later repurchased by Jacob due to the passage of time and changing circumstances. This was not uncommon in ancient transactions, where land could be resold or repurchased by descendants.
8. Who Moved David to Number Israel: Jehovah or Satan?
2 Samuel 24:1 attributes the incitement to number Israel to Jehovah, while 1 Chronicles 21:1 credits Satan. This apparent contradiction is resolved by understanding that Jehovah allowed Satan to incite David as part of His judgment on Israel. The action is attributed to Jehovah because He permitted it, even though Satan was the immediate cause.
The Scientific Accuracy of the Bible
The Bible, while not a scientific textbook, is scientifically accurate when it addresses matters of science. For instance, Isaiah 40:22 describes the earth as a circle (or sphere), and Job 26:7 states that the earth hangs on nothing. These statements are consistent with modern scientific understanding, yet they were written thousands of years before such knowledge was widely accepted.
Similarly, the account of the sun standing still in Joshua 10:13 has often been criticized. However, whether this was a miraculous stopping of the earth's rotation or an extended period of daylight through refraction of light, the event is presented from the perspective of an observer on earth, which is consistent with the phenomenological language often used in the Bible.
Procedures for Handling Bible Difficulties
Be Convinced of the Inerrancy of Scripture: Approach every difficulty with the conviction that a reasonable explanation exists, even if it requires diligent study and prayer.
Study the Context: Examine the surrounding verses, the historical setting, and the intended message of the author. Context often clarifies seemingly contradictory passages.
Consider Different Perspectives: Understand that different biblical writers may present complementary perspectives on the same event.
Consult Reliable Resources: Use trusted Bible commentaries, dictionaries, and lexicons to gain deeper insights into the text.
Recognize Literary Styles: Be aware of the diverse literary genres in the Bible, including narrative, poetry, prophecy, and apocalyptic literature. Understanding the genre helps to interpret the text correctly.
Acknowledge Textual Variants: Recognize that some difficulties may stem from scribal errors in the transmission of the text. Textual criticism helps to identify and correct these variants.
Accept Human Limitations: Understand that some difficulties may remain unresolved due to our limited knowledge, but this does not undermine the overall trustworthiness of the Scriptures.
By applying these principles, believers can confidently address Bible difficulties and defend the trustworthiness of the Hebrew Scriptures.
About the Author
EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).
RECOMMENDED READING
THE HISTORICAL JESUS: The Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ
THE HISTORICAL ADAM & EVE: Reconciling Faith and Fact in Genesis
EARLY CHRISTIANITY IN THE FIRST CENTURY: Jesus' Witnesses to the Ends of the Earth
CHRISTIAN APOLOGISTS OF THE SECOND CENTURY: Christian Defenders of the Faith
CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS: Answering the Tough Questions: Evidence and Reason in Defense of the Faith
REASON MEETS FAITH: Addressing and Refuting Atheism's Challenges to Christianity
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