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What Are the Difficulties in the Bible and How Can They Be Explained?

Understanding Bible Difficulties in the Light of Scripture


The charge that the Bible contradicts itself has grown significantly in the past 20 years, often repeated by those who have not even read or studied the Bible thoroughly. These individuals frequently parrot what they’ve heard without taking the time to investigate the Scriptures themselves. However, it is important not to dismiss all concerns without merit. Some questions raised by critics do seem, on the surface, to suggest contradictions or conflicts within the text of the Bible. Sadly, these perceived difficulties have caused many to lose faith in God’s Word. Therefore, it is essential to understand how to defend the Bible against such accusations.


As 1 Peter 3:15 instructs Christians: "But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect." This directive to be prepared is not only for sharing the Gospel but also for defending it against those who question its reliability. Jude 1:3 adds that we are to "contend earnestly for the faith," which means we should not shy away from the tough questions but rather answer them confidently and biblically.



Is God Permitting Human Sacrifice in Judges 11:29-40?


A frequently cited Bible difficulty arises from the story of Jephthah in Judges 11:29-40, where Jephthah makes a vow that whatever comes out of his house upon his return from victory over the Ammonites, he will offer as a burnt offering to Jehovah. Tragically, it is his daughter who greets him upon his return. The text has led some to infer that Jephthah carried out a human sacrifice, something explicitly forbidden by Jehovah (Leviticus 18:21).


A Closer Examination of the Context


First, it is critical to note that the text does not explicitly state that Jephthah killed his daughter. Those who conclude that he did so are making an inference, not drawing from a clear statement in Scripture. The idea that Jephthah’s daughter was offered as a living sacrifice in service to Jehovah, much like Samuel (1 Samuel 1:11, 22), aligns better with the broader teachings of Scripture.


In Jewish culture, a vow of perpetual virginity as a sacrifice would have been a significant offering. The emphasis in the text is on the fact that Jephthah's daughter mourns her virginity, not her impending death (Judges 11:37). This suggests that her life was not taken but rather dedicated to God’s service in a unique way.


Human Sacrifice Forbidden in Scripture


The Bible is clear that human sacrifice is entirely forbidden. Leviticus 18:21 commands, "You shall not give any of your children to offer them to Molech, and so profane the name of your God: I am Jehovah." Deuteronomy 12:31 similarly emphasizes that offering a human in sacrifice is detestable in the eyes of Jehovah. Given that Jephthah was a man of faith, praised in Hebrews 11:32 as one of the heroes of faith, it would be incongruent to suggest that he would engage in a practice so blatantly against Jehovah’s commands.



Does Isaiah 45:7 Mean God Is the Author of Evil?


Isaiah 45:7 is another verse that critics often bring up: "I form the light and create darkness; I make peace and create calamity; I am Jehovah, who does all these things" (UASV). Some versions use the word "evil" instead of "calamity," leading some to conclude that God is the author of moral evil.


A Deeper Look at the Hebrew Word "Ra’"


The Hebrew word translated as "evil" in some versions is ra’, which can have several meanings, including disaster, calamity, or adversity, depending on the context. It does not always refer to moral evil. In Isaiah 45:7, the context clearly indicates that Jehovah is speaking of calamities or judgments He brings upon nations or individuals as part of His righteous rule. This is not a reference to moral wrongdoing, as confirmed by other Scriptures that state Jehovah is righteous in all His ways (Psalm 145:17). Moreover, passages like James 1:13 remind us that "God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone."


God’s Justice in Bringing Calamity


God’s bringing of calamity or disaster as a form of judgment is seen in events like the Flood (Genesis 6:13), the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:24-25), and the plagues in Egypt (Exodus 7-12). These are not instances of moral evil but examples of God exercising His righteous judgment. Isaiah 45:7, therefore, should be understood in this context. God is sovereign and just, and when He brings calamity, it is a righteous response to human sin.



Can the Bible Be Trusted? Addressing Inerrancy


The Bible, being the inspired Word of God, must be fully reliable in all that it teaches. Some may ask, however, why certain passages seem to contradict one another. For example, Numbers 25:9 states that 24,000 people died due to the Israelites' sin, whereas 1 Corinthians 10:8 says 23,000 died.


Understanding Different Numbers in Scripture


In the case of Numbers 25:9 and 1 Corinthians 10:8, it is important to recognize that Paul specifies that 23,000 died "in one day," which likely accounts for the difference. The additional 1,000 may have died after the initial plague, bringing the total number to 24,000. This is a reasonable explanation, and it is one that harmonizes both texts.


Inspiration and Infallibility


The Bible itself declares its divine origin: "All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16). Peter further emphasizes that "no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit" (2 Peter 1:21). These verses affirm that although human hands penned the Bible, it was under divine inspiration, making it free from error in its original manuscripts.


Addressing Bible Critics with Wisdom


Christians must approach critics of the Bible with humility, acknowledging that we may not always have immediate answers to every question. As Proverbs 15:1 reminds us, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." When someone raises a difficult question about the Bible, it is appropriate to admit when we do not know the answer and commit to investigating further. The key is to remain confident that the Bible can withstand scrutiny, as it has for thousands of years.



How Should We Approach Bible Difficulties?


It is essential to study the Scriptures deeply and carefully, recognizing that not every difficulty is a contradiction. Many supposed contradictions can be resolved by understanding the context, the literary style of the passage, or the particular focus of the writer.


Differences in Literary Style


The Bible contains various literary styles—narrative, poetry, prophecy, and more. For example, Judges 5:20 poetically states that "the stars fought from heaven" in the battle of Sisera. This is not meant to be taken literally but is a poetic way of describing divine intervention in the battle, as made clear in the narrative account found in Judges 4. Understanding the genre and literary devices used in Scripture helps resolve many apparent contradictions.


Multiple Perspectives


In other cases, different authors describe the same event from different perspectives. For instance, Matthew 8:5 says a centurion came to Jesus asking for help, while Luke 7:3 states that the centurion sent elders of the Jews to speak with Jesus on his behalf. These accounts are not contradictory; rather, Luke provides additional details about the intermediaries the centurion used, whereas Matthew simply summarizes the interaction.


Rounding Numbers in Scripture


Biblical writers often used approximations, especially when dealing with large numbers. For example, Acts 2:41 states that about 3,000 people were baptized on the day of Pentecost. This is a rounded number, which was a common practice in ancient writing and even in everyday speech today.


Human Responsibility in Interpretation


While the Bible is inspired, human interpretation is not infallible. Errors often arise from misunderstandings or misapplications of the text. Therefore, we must approach the Bible with care and humility, always seeking to understand the author’s intended meaning rather than imposing our modern expectations onto ancient texts.



How Can We Reconcile Science and the Bible?


Some critics argue that the Bible contradicts modern scientific discoveries, but this is a misunderstanding of both the purpose of Scripture and the nature of science. The Bible is not a scientific textbook, nor does it claim to be. Rather, it is God’s revelation of His will and purpose for humanity, conveyed in a way that is accessible to people across all times and cultures.


The Earth Hangs on Nothing


Job 26:7 states, "He stretches out the north over empty space and hangs the earth on nothing." This description aligns with what modern science has discovered about the nature of the universe. While the Bible is not concerned with providing scientific detail, it is remarkably accurate in its statements about the natural world when understood in context.


The Sun Standing Still


Joshua 10:13 describes an extraordinary event where "the sun stood still," allowing the Israelites to win a battle. Some critics argue that this is scientifically impossible, as the earth’s rotation would have to stop for the sun to appear stationary. However, this is a misunderstanding of how the Bible communicates. From the perspective of the ancient Israelites, the sun did appear to stop in the sky, and the language used reflects their observation. Whether this event involved a literal suspension of natural law or some other divine intervention is not fully explained, but it is clear that God acted miraculously to aid His people.



Procedures for Handling Biblical Difficulties


1. You need to be completely convinced a reason or understanding exists.

2. You need to have total trust and conviction in the inerrancy of the Scripture as originally written down.

3. You need to study the context and framework of the verse carefully, to establish what the author meant by the words he used. In other words, find the beginning and the end of the context that your passage falls within.

4. You need to understand exegesis: find the historical setting, determine author intent, study key words, and note parallel passages. You need to slow down and carefully read the account, considering exactly what is being said

5. You need to find a reasonable harmonization of parallel passages.

6. You need to consider a variety of trusted Bible commentaries, dictionaries, lexical sources, encyclopedias, as well as books on Bible difficulties.

7. You should investigate as to whether the difficulty is a transmission error in the original text.

8. You must always keep in mind that the historical accuracy of the biblical text is unmatched; that thousands of extant manuscripts some of which date back to the second century B.C. support the transmitted text of Scripture.

9. We must keep in mind that the Bible is a diverse book when it comes to literary styles: narrative, poetic, prophetic, and apocalyptic; also containing parables, metaphors, similes, hyperbole, and other figures of speech. Too often, these alleged errors are the result of a reader taking a figure of speech as literal or reading a parable as though it is a narrative.

10. The Bible student needs to understand what level that the Bible intends to be exact in what is written. If Jim told a friend that 650 graduated with him from high school in 1984, it is not challenged, because it is all too clear that he is using rounded numbers and is not meaning to be precise.

In conclusion, perceived contradictions in the Bible often stem from a lack of understanding of context, literary style, or the original language. By studying the Scriptures with diligence and faithfulness, we can resolve many of these difficulties and reaffirm the reliability of God's Word.



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).



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