New so called Bible Contradictions, e.g.: Is divorce ever permissible? What kind of animals may we eat? Was John the Baptist Elijah? Is God the creator of evil? And more.
126. Is the devil free to roam?
The devil is tied up. (2 Peter 2:4, Jude 6)
Right. He is tied up in a spiritual world named hell, darkness, waiting for the day of judgement. His chains are of course spiritual with the meaning that he is limited in his possibilities and power.
The devil is free to roam around. (Job 1:7, 2:2, 1 Peter 5:8)
Partly right. Since the Fall of Man the devil has also some power on earth, his chains are long enough to roam around in the world and to be a threat for mankind.
No Contradiction
127. Who can cast out devils in the name of Jesus?
Only the followers of Jesus can do it. (It’s one of the signs of a true believer. Mark 16:17)
Wrong. Jesus gave this task to his apostles again (Compare Matthew 10:1). He didn’t give this task to all his followers as it should be done cautiously.
Others can do it, too. (Matthew 7:21-23, Mark 9:38, Luke 9:49)
Partially right. (Mark 9:38, Luke 9:49) Jesus endorsed the actions of those who had accepted him and helped others by praying for them and rebuking demon powers in Jesus’ name. They are also followers though not physically.” (See also SAB Contradiction 82 about the meaning of “followers”.)
Matthew 7:21-23 is different. We have here a text that seems to say that even people that don’t believe in Jesus are able to work miracles “in the name of Jesus”. It means that miracles are not the ultimate feature of truth in the Christian faith. That is “a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.” (Psalm 51:17)
No Contradiction
128. Where did the devils ask not to go?
Out of the country (Mark 5:9-10)
Right. This gives us some insight in the state of demons. There is certainly no peace among them, as they are not welcomed by demons ruling other countries. There is certainly hate among demons.
Into the deep (Luke 8:30-31)
Right. This gives also insight in the world of demons. The deep – hell – is also a place of spiritual pain for demons.
No Contradiction
129. Does God desire animal sacrifices?
Yes (Genesis 4:4, 8:20-21, 15:9-10, Exodus 20:24, 29:11-37, Leviticus 1:5, 23:12-18, Numbers 18:17-19, Deuteronomy 12:27)
Wrong. In all the referred texts we see that God desire the heart of the sacrificer together with the sacrifice. The sacrifice reveals the heart of the sacrificer, that it is dead without God (spiritually), just as the dead animal. “And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering.”
No (Psalm 40:6, 50:13, 51:16, Isaiah 1:11, 66:3, Jeremiah 6:20, Micah 6:6-7, Matthew 9:13, 12:7)
Right. All the referred texts show that God is not interested in offerings in itself (without the heart of the offerer).
No Contradiction
130. Must everyone die?
Some people will never die. (Genesis 5:24, John 8:51, 11:26, Hebrews 11:5)
Right. Enoch didn’t die (Genesis 5:24). Elijah also didn’t die.
John 8:51, 11:26 and Hebrews 11:5 are from different character. Here is spoken about eternal life through Jesus Christ. The logical consequence of the term is that life will continue even through the death.
Everyone will die. (Romans 5:12, Hebrews 9:27)
Right. Everyone will die physically. Enoch and Elijah are exceptions that prove the rule. Why? Early and later in Israel, the Lord gave these icons to show that everyone who believes in Him has eternal life, will pass death as if it doesn’t exist (how painful it may be for some).
No Contradiction
131. Should believers discuss their faith with non-believers?
Yes (1 Peter 3:15, Colossians 4:5-6)
Right. In case of serious communication.
“… and the governor questioned Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” And Jesus said to him: “It is as you say.” (Matthew 27:11)
No (2 John 1:10, 1 Timothy 6:20-21, 2 Timothy 2:16)
Right. In case of negative manipulations.
“And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He did not answer.” (Matthew 27:12)
No Contradiction
132. Is divorce ever permissible?
Divorce is never permissible. (Mark 10:11, Luke 16:18)
Right. Here the general rule is given for the Christian.
Only when the wife is unfaithful. (Matthew 5:32, 19:9)
Partly right. In case of fornication, the adulterous one (wife or man) has already committed divorce.
When the unbelieving partner chooses to leave. (1 Corinthians 7:15)
Right. A non-Christian will often not submit to the Christian rule of not divorcing.
When the husband is displeased with his wife. (Deuteronomy 24:1-2)
Right. It says that it is permissible if "he has found some 'uncleanness or indecency' in her". The exception is unfaithfulness and the rule was also valid if a husband was unfaithful to his wife, however it was more difficult for her to leave him.
Take Note. In Matthew 19:8 Jesus admits that Moses permitted to divorce for no different reason than adultery and Jesus judged: 'Because of your hardness of heart Moses permitted you to divorce …' In fact Jesus blamed his opponents, some Pharisees, and laid the burden of guilt of the separation at the man’s side in general. As the man is the stronger part in a marriage (Genesis 3:16) he is the protector of it and the first to blame if the alliance falls apart.
No Contradiction
133. Does anyone do anything good?
No (Psalm 14:3, 53:3, Romans 3:12, Ecclesiastes 7:20, Isaiah 64:6)
Wrong. The referred texts only show that every human being is a sinner, which does not imply that they cannot do good sometimes (Psalms, Romans). Or, that one who does good, still remains a sinner (Ecclesiastes). Or, even what we do good, is not yet perfect (Isaiah).
Yes (John 5:29, 2 Corinthians 5:10, 3 John 11)
Right. “For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10)
No Contradiction
134. Who put the robe on Jesus?
Wrong question. Three robes are at issue, not one!
Herod’s soldiers (Luke 23:11)
Not sure. Maybe it was Herod himself who gave him the gorgeous robe.
Pilate’s soldiers (John 19:1-2)
Right. Being scourged, Jesus got a purple robe by the soldiers of Pilate. In this he was presented to the people: “Behold, the man!” (John). Later on after Jesus' condemnation the soldiers continued to mock Jesus. They dressed him in purple (Mark 15:17) and over it they gave him a scarlet cloak by putting it on his schoulders (Matthew 27:28). For the popular combination of purple and scarlet see Revelation 17:4 and 18:16.
See SAB 101
No Contradiction
135. Did Jesus drink on the cross?
Yes (John 19:29-30)
Right. At the end – death being near – he drank some vinegar (to fulfil the scriptures).
No (Mark 15:23)
Wrong. In the beginning Jesus refused wine. At the end – death being near – he drank some vinegar (to fulfil the scriptures).
No Contradiction
136. When did the earth dry after the flood?
On the first day of the first month (Genesis 8:13)
Wrong. Now the waters had been disappeared from the earth (not including the water of seas and oceans etc.). But the surface of the earth was still wet and not appropriate for man and beast to live on.
On the 27th day of the second month (Genesis 8:14)
Right. The surface of the earth was ready for habitation.
No Contradiction
137. Does God dwell in darkness or in light?
God dwells in darkness. (1 Kings 8:12, 2 Chronicles 6:1, Psalm 18:11, 97:2)
Right. In the visible world God has made himself manifest in darkness: “Moses approached the thick cloud where God was.” (Exodus 20:21) That remained the metaphor for God’s appearance on earth: in darkness. And Solomon said: “I have surely built you a lofty house, a place for your dwelling forever.” (1 Kings 8:13) That was the dark place of the temple, the holy of holies.
God dwells in light. (1 Timothy 6:15-16)
Right. “ … dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; …” This refers to the spiritual world of God, which is light as God is light, but which is not approachable for man.
Compare the article about the two dwelling places of God (Zion and heaven): Where does God dwell?
No Contradiction
138. Will the earth last forever?
The earth will last forever. (Deuteronomy 4:40, Psalm 37:29, 78:69, 104,5, Ecclesiastes 1:4)
Partly right. The referred texts together are speaking about the earth as a remaining factor within the daily concept of life. In this way the term "forever" functions in the referred texts: from now until the end of human history: the Final Completion.
The earth will not last forever, but will be destroyed. (Psalm 102:25-26, Isaiah 65:17, Matthew 5:18, 24:35, Mark 13:31, Luke 21:33, Hebrews 1:10-11, 2 Peter 3:10,13, Revelation 21:1)
Wrong. With “earth” can be meant (1) the globe, or (2) the surface of the earth, even (3) the land. In all the referred texts it is said that at the end of history the earth will perish (Peter: burned up); meant is: the surface of the earth as we know it now. However the foundations of the earth will not allow the earth to be destroyed completely. There will be a new earth as a result of God’s recreation of the old earth.
No Contradiction
139. What kind of animals may we eat?
You should not eat animals. (Genesis 1:29)
Wrong. In creation things were different; man ate plants and fruits (Genesis 1:29). But later on it is clearly permitted to eat animals without any restriction concerning the kind of animals. (e.g. Genesis 9:3)
Only certain kinds of animals may be eaten. (Deuteronomy 14:7-8, Leviticus 11:2-4)
Right. Here are mentioned the specific animals that are forbidden for the Jewish people, or are prescribed for them to eat.
You may eat any kind of animal. (Genesis 9:3)
Right. Before the people of Israel came into being, God gave permission to man to eat “Every moving thing that is alive shall be food for you; …” (Genesis 9:3)
– Texts as Proverbs 23:20, Daniel 1:8, Romans 14:21 speak about moral behavior concerning food and have not to do with the sort of animals we may eat or not.
– Mark 7:18-20, Romans 14:2, 1 Timothy 4:1-3 show for Jewish people that animals forbidden to eat, are not intrinsically bad, impure.
– Luke 10:8 The apostles were sent on a mission trip and they got the prescript “to eat such things as are set before you”. Of course as Jesus also instructed them to go the Jewish towns and villages and not to go to Samaritans or pagans. So they got food properly prepared according to the Jewish kitchen.
No Contradiction
140. Is it OK to eat blood?
Yes, you must eat Jesus' blood to be saved. (John 6:53-56)
Wrong. This is metaphorical and not literal at all. The expression blood in this text refers to the consuming of the wine at the celebration of the Last Supper of the Christians.
No, it is absolutely forbidden by God. (8 references)
Right.
No Contradiction
141. How should the Edomites be treated?
Be nice to them. (Deuteronomy 23:7)
Partly right. This was during the period in the desert when the Israelites entered the Holy Land.
Kill them. (2 Kings 14:3,7 Ezekiel 25:13, Obadiah 1, 8-9)
Partly right. After hostilities of the Edomites an outbreak of war took place and a political change, as in the referred texts.
No Contradiction
142. May a eunuch enter in the congregation of the Lord?
Yes (Isaiah 56:3-5, Matthew 19:12, Acts 8:36-38)
Wrong. These texts do not refer to the position of a eunuch in the congregation of the people, its more about the integration in society of those who had become mutilated to eunuch by bad birth. They could pray in the temple court of the strangers, but not bring sacrifices (Isaiah, Acts). In Matthew Jesus speaks figuratively about the subject: those who live unmarried for the religion on their voluntary choise.
No (Leviticus 21:17-21, Deuteronomy 23:1)
Right. In Leviticus is said that he may not enter to sacrifice in the temple, which seems logical as castration has made the circumcision undone. He is only allowed ot pray in the temple court of the strangers, which was allowed (Isaiah 56:3-5 and Acts 8:36-38).
Only in Deuteronomy is said that he was not permitted to enter into the congregation, which meant he had no voice in the congregation of the people. Again the circumcision was undone and that was the critical point of a full Israelite. Castration was a crime in Israel, in neighbouring countries it was always connected with social (Harem) and or religious practices (temple prostitution).
See SAB 87.
No Contradiction
143. Did Lot’s daughters think God had killed every man?
No (Genesis 19:21-22,30)
Right.
Yes (Genesis 19:31)
Wrong. It is not said that there were no men anymore in the world, but that there were no men in the world that would (like to) marry them. We don’t know why they said so; surely, it was an exaggeration. These girls were indeed rather strange.
No Contradiction
144. Does the gospel of Luke include everything that Jesus did?
Yes (Acts1:1-2)
Wrong. Luke doesn't say “… of all that Jesus began both to do and teach …” (Acts) Luke says about, concerning all that Jesus began both to do and teach. With perì, the Greek preposition about, concerning + subject it was standard procedure to give a title to a (Greek) book containing a treatise about a subject. It never meant that all the aspects were described, but that the main points accurately were given for a complete picture of the subject. Also here: Luke doesn't say: "The first account I composed, Theophilus, of all that Jesus began to do and teach;" But: about (concerning) all that Jesus …"
All is an indefinite pronoun, which means it needs always some definition, which is given here with the term perì: about, concerning.
No (John 21:25)
Right. “There are also many other things which Jesus did, … the world itself could not contain the books that should be written.” This last expression of John is a figure of speech: rhetorical exaggeration. Of course, this figure of speech is not meant negatively, but positively.
No Contradiction
145. Did Jesus, Mary, and Joseph go to Egypt or Nazareth?
They went to Egypt after Jesus’ birth. (Matthew 2:14)
Right. After the visit of the wise men Joseph, Mary and Jesus fled to Egypt. After this occurrence they came to Nazareth.
They went to Nazareth after Jesus’ birth. (Luke 2:39)
Wrong. “And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.” The Law also said about the Messiah: “I called my son out of Egypt.” (Hosea 11:1) Therefore the visit to Egypt is included in the performing all things of the Law.
See the article Ehrman-Contradictions (4)
No Contradiction
146. How many disciples did Jesus appear to in his first post resurrection appearance?
Twelve (1 Corinthians 15:5)
Wrong. It is well known that the first time Thomas was not together with the other disciples. Here is said that when Jesus appeared to the twelve, already Matthias, the latter substitute of Judas, was with the eleven. He was defined as a man who has “companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, … to be a witness with us of his resurrection.”
Eleven (Matthew 28:16-17, Mark 16:14, Luke 24:33-37)
Wrong. Eight days after the first appearance to the ten, also Thomas participated. That was the appearance to the eleven. This appearance is described also in Mark 16:14.
– In Luke 24:33 is also mentioning of the eleven, when the two from Emmaus had returned to Jerusalem. It is clear that Thomas left them. He could not accept all those stories of Jesus’ resurrection and so he missed Jesus’ first appearance to his disciples.
– Matthew 28:16-17 is much later, in Galilee.
Ten (John 20:24)
Right. It is well known that Thomas was not together with the other disciples of Jesus when he appeared to them the first time. Maybe Matthias was with them, but there is no mentioning of him.
No Contradictions
147. Did the eleven disciples believe the two men?
Yes, since he had already appeared to Simon. (Luke 24:33-34)
Wrong. “… and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.” This was clearly said by those who "were with them", not by the disciples (e.g. Thomas didn't believed it then. When the two from Emmaus entered, he left. He couldn't hear these testimonies anymore!). Who were with them? A group of women who were informed earlier that day by the three women who had seen Jesus near the tomb. This delegation of women had informed the disciples who didn’t want to believe them. (Luke 24:10)
No (Mark 16:12-13)
Right. “And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.”
No Contradiction
148. Who did Elhanan kill?
Wrong. This question is wrong as there are two different Elhanans. They are clearly distinguished with their surnames.
Goliath (2 Samuel 21:19)
Wrong. Goliath is not a personal name, but a name of honor given to the best fighter of the city of Gat. After David’s fight with “his” Goliath, other Goliaths were chosen.
Elhanan the son of Jaareoregim, a Bethelehemite, slew his Goliath. (The KJV translation “slew the brother of Goliath” is a move that doesn’t fit the Hebrew text.)
Lahmi, the brother of Goliath
Wrong. The other one was Elhanan, the son of Jair. He “slew Lahmi, the brother of Goliath the Gittite, …”
See the article: Did David beat Goliath?
No Contradiction
149. Was John the Baptist Elijah?
Yes (Matthew 11:13-14)
Partly right. Figuratively he was, as he came in the power of Elijah.
No (John 1:21)
Partly right. Literally not. He was not a resurrected Elijah, but he came in the power of Elijah.
No Contradiction
150. When will the end of the world come?
Before the gospel is preached to all the cities of Israel. (Matthew 10:23)
“Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.”
Wrong. There are two ways of the coming of the Son of Man. Firstly: when he enters the glory of God as is described in Daniël 7:13, Matthew 16:28. This happened when Jesus resurrected from death and appeared to his disciples. And secondly: when the Son of Man will return in great power and glory with his holy angels at the end of human history (Matthew 24:30).
– In Matthew 10:23 Jesus is speaking about the coming of the Son of Man according to meaning 1.
After the gospel is preached to all the nations of the earth. (Matthew 24:14)
Right.
No Contradiction
No Bible Contradictions