For centuries, the Bible has been a source of unwavering faith and profound guidance for billions. Yet, a common criticism levied against it by unbelievers is the presence of contradictions. Believers, on the other hand, firmly assert the infallibility of God's Word, maintaining that any perceived discrepancies are often due to a lack of understanding, cultural context, or interpretive nuances. This post will explore why the Bible, when deeply examined, reveals a consistent and unified truth, free from genuine contradictions.
Understanding Apparent Discrepancies
Many so-called contradictions arise from misinterpretations or a failure to consider the full context of a passage. Let's look at some common examples:
Often, accounts of the same event in different gospels might highlight different details. This isn't a contradiction but rather a complementary perspective, similar to how multiple witnesses to an accident might emphasize different aspects based on their vantage point. For instance, consider the accounts of Jesus' resurrection.
Matthew 28:1-8 Focuses on Mary Magdalene and the "other Mary" at the tomb, with an angel coming down from heaven.
Matthew 28:1-8 NIV [1] After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. [2] There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. [3] His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. [4] The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. [5] The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. [6] He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. [7] Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” [8] So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.
Mark 16:1-8 Mentions Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, finding the stone rolled away and a young man in a white robe.
Mark 16:1-8 NIV [1] When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. [2] Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb [3] and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” [4] But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. [5] As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. [6] “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. [7] But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’ ” [8] Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.
Luke 24:1-12 Describes several women going to the tomb and finding two men in dazzling clothes.
Luke 24:1-12 NIV [1] On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. [2] They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, [3] but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. [4] While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. [5] In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? [6] He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: [7] ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” [8] Then they remembered his words. [9] When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. [10] It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. [11] But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. [12] Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.
John 20:1-10 Focuses primarily on Mary Magdalene, then Peter and John, going to the tomb.
John 20:1-10 NIV [1] Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. [2] So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” [3] So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. [4] Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. [5] He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. [6] Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, [7] as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. [8] Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. [9] (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) [10] Then the disciples went back to where they were staying.
While the details differ, in all of these accounts the core message – Jesus' resurrection and the empty tomb – remains consistent across all accounts. Each author, guided by the Holy Spirit, chose details relevant to their specific audience and theological emphasis.
Understanding Apparent Discrepancies
Many so-called contradictions arise from misinterpretations or a failure to consider the full context of a passage. Let's look at some common examples:
- Different Details, Same Event
Often, accounts of the same event in different gospels might highlight different details. This isn't a contradiction but rather a complementary perspective, similar to how multiple witnesses to an accident might emphasize different aspects based on their vantage point. For instance, consider the accounts of Jesus' resurrection.
Matthew 28:1-8 Focuses on Mary Magdalene and the "other Mary" at the tomb, with an angel coming down from heaven.
Matthew 28:1-8 NIV [1] After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. [2] There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. [3] His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. [4] The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. [5] The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. [6] He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. [7] Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” [8] So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.
Mark 16:1-8 Mentions Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, finding the stone rolled away and a young man in a white robe.
Mark 16:1-8 NIV [1] When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. [2] Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb [3] and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” [4] But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. [5] As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. [6] “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. [7] But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’ ” [8] Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.
Luke 24:1-12 Describes several women going to the tomb and finding two men in dazzling clothes.
Luke 24:1-12 NIV [1] On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. [2] They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, [3] but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. [4] While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. [5] In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? [6] He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: [7] ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” [8] Then they remembered his words. [9] When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. [10] It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. [11] But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. [12] Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.
John 20:1-10 Focuses primarily on Mary Magdalene, then Peter and John, going to the tomb.
John 20:1-10 NIV [1] Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. [2] So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” [3] So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. [4] Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. [5] He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. [6] Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, [7] as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. [8] Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. [9] (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) [10] Then the disciples went back to where they were staying.
While the details differ, in all of these accounts the core message – Jesus' resurrection and the empty tomb – remains consistent across all accounts. Each author, guided by the Holy Spirit, chose details relevant to their specific audience and theological emphasis.
- Figurative Language vs. Literal Interpretation
The Bible employs various literary forms, including poetry, parables, and prophecy. Taking figurative language literally can lead to perceived contradictions. For example;
Matthew 5:29 NIV [29] If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
When Jesus said this He was not advocating for self-mutilation but using hyperbole to emphasize the seriousness of sin and the need for radical commitment to righteousness.
- Progressive Revelation
God's revelation to humanity was progressive, unfolding over hundreds even thousands of years. Earlier laws and practices, while valid for their time, were often superseded by new covenants or deeper understandings. This is not a contradiction but a demonstration of God's ongoing relationship with humanity, guiding them towards a fuller truth.
For instance, the Old Testament Law prescribed animal sacrifices for the atonement of sins. However, the New Testament reveals Jesus Christ as the ultimate sacrifice, fulfilling the Law.
Hebrews 9:22 NIV In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
Here’s the fulfillment;
Hebrews 10:10-14 NIV [10] And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. [11] Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. [12] But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, [13] and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. [14] For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
This shows not a contradiction, but a progression from a foreshadowing to the ultimate reality.
- Differences in Emphasis or Scope
Sometimes, different biblical passages may seem to conflict because they are addressing different aspects of a truth or different audiences. For example, passages on faith versus works.
Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— [9] not by works, so that no one can boast.
James 2:17 NIV In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
These are not contradictory. Ephesians speaks to the source of salvation (God's grace through faith), while James speaks to the evidence of genuine faith (transformed lives producing good works). True faith naturally leads to action.
The Unity of God's Word
Beyond individual passages, the overarching narrative of the Bible reveals a remarkable unity. From Genesis to Revelation, a consistent theme of God's character, His plan for humanity, and His ultimate redemption unfolds. The prophecies of the Old Testament find their fulfillment in the New Testament, demonstrating a divine blueprint that transcends human authorship.
The consistent moral and ethical framework presented throughout the Bible also speaks to its unified origin. Despite being written by over 40 authors across thousands of years and various cultures, the core principles of love, justice, mercy, and righteousness remain constant.
The claim of contradictions in the Bible often crumbles under careful examination and a willingness to understand its multifaceted nature. Rather than being a collection of disparate stories, the Bible is a divinely inspired library of books, each contributing to a coherent and harmonious narrative. For those who approach it with an open heart and a diligent mind, the Word of God reveals itself to be truly infallible, a steadfast foundation for faith and a reliable guide for life.
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