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In his book, "Jesus, Interrupted", Bart Ehrman, a foremost professor of the New Testament, reveals some of the most important contradictions in the Bible. Ehrman tells us, providing concrete facts, that the Bible contains many irreconcilable contradictions that only a dogmatic mind can dispute.
I had thought that the Bible was a flawless, divinely inspired book before I stumbled upon Ehrman's work but my assumptions were wrong. In short, the Bible contains several contradictions, some being outrightly indefensible.
However, this does not erode the fact that the Bible contains real life lessons that are capable of transforming and shaping a man's life. In this essay, I will point out five of the most notable contradictions in the bible. It is not my intention to invoke atheism but to open the minds of Christians who have been enslaved by religion. So, here are some of the most important contradictions in the Bible.
1. At What Hour Did Jesus Die, Sixth or Third?
It depends on what gospel you read.
And it was the third hour, and they crucified him. —Mark 15:25
…about the sixth hour…they cried out…crucify him….Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. —John 19:14-16
2. Saved by Faith or By Works?
It depends on the book of the New Testament you read.
For by grace are ye saved through faith…not of works. —Ephesians 2:8,9
Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. —James 2:24
3. How Old was Johoiachin When He Began to Reign?
Again, this depends on what Old Testament scripture you read.
Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. —2 Kings 24:8
Jehoiachin was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem.—2 Chronicles 36:9
4. How Did Judas Die?
Well, this again depends on the book of the New Testament you read.
And [Judas] cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. —Matthew 27:5
Now [Judas] purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. —Acts 1:18
5. At What Time of the Day Did Mary Visit Jesus' Tomb, Morning or Night?
Interesting, the answer to the above question depends on what scripture you read.
And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. —Mark 16:2
The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. —John 20:1
Conclusion
The Bible, like several religious books, have its contradictions and shortcomings because they were written by inspired men whose human errors coloured its contents. This should not be an excuse to become an atheist. Instead, you should scrutinize religious doctrines before you adopt them, so that you're not enslaved in the name of religion.
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I am @gandhibaba, the young man who goes about carrying his magical pen, not his gun, in his pockets.
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"What is the nature of the guilt that your teachers call [man’s] Original Sin? What are the evils man acquired when he fell from a state they consider perfection? Their myth declares that he ate the fruit of the tree of knowledge — he acquired a mind and became a rational being. It was the knowledge of good and evil — he became a moral being. He was sentenced to earn his bread by his labor — he became a productive being. He was sentenced to experience desire — he acquired the capacity of sexual enjoyment. The evils for which they damn him are reason, morality, creativeness, joy — all the cardinal values of his existence. It is not his vices that their myth of man’s fall is designed to explain and condemn, it is not his errors that they hold as his guilt, but the essence of his nature as man. Whatever he was — that robot in the Garden of Eden, who existed without mind, without values, without labor, without love — he was not man.
Man’s fall, according to your teachers, was that he gained the virtues required to live. These virtues, by their standard, are his Sin. His evil, they charge, is that he’s man. His guilt, they charge, is that he lives.
They call it a morality of mercy and a doctrine of love for man.
No, they say, they do not preach that man is evil, the evil is only that alien object: his body. No, they say, they do not wish to kill him, they only wish to make him lose his body. They seek to help him, they say, against his pain — and they point at the torture rack to which they’ve tied him, the rack with two wheels that pull him in opposite directions, the rack of the doctrine that splits his soul and body."
Ayn Rand, For the New Intellectual, 137
Contradictions in the Bible are numerous. It is always a touchy subjective to highlight or discuss them. I recently had a 1 1/2 hour conversation of this nature where I was reminded or reprimanded for focussing on the wrong things. I decided that it was not useful to discuss with a dogmatic person - so I listened but did not concede.
In the end, it is about being a good person irrespective of religious beliefs.
Christianity is not a religion. It's a way of life; a life style. Religion seeks for a way to a supreme being while christianity shows the way and how to walk in the way. Regardless of whatever contradiction you may point out, that doesn't change the authenticity and transforming ability of God's word.
apart from the sixth and 3rd hours, I don't see any contradictions in the passages you picked. Luke's account of Jesus's life is different from John's or Mark's account because they were writing from their experiences or observations. That was why the four different accounts of same story was recorded in the Bible.
On your second point on faith, you just can't compare two verses and conclude that there's a contradiction. Is it not in the same Bible that it was also written that "faith without work is dead". Work gives faith expression. I believe Christ had died for me and paid the price for my sin( faith) therefore I have to obey him and live for him(work). Look anything you want to see in the Bible you will certainly see, so let me just leave you with what you've decided to see
Dear @gandhibaba,
In response to your so-called contradiction #2:
Paul is stressing the root of justification (faith), James is stressing the fruit of justification (works). But each man acknowledges both.
Immediately after affirming that we are “saved by grace through faith” (Eph 2:8–9), Paul quickly adds, “we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Eph 2:10). Likewise, right after declaring that it is “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us” (Titus 3:5–7), Paul urges that “those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works” (Eph 2:8).
Blessings, Steven @lastdays
Dear @gandhibaba,
There is also no contradiction concerning point #3:
Jehoiachin became co-regent with his father Jehoiakim over Judah at age eight (2 Chronicles 36:9) and became the ruler “in Jerusalem” at age eighteen (2 Kings 24:8).
The young age at which Jehoiachim became co-regent is not surprising, since his father’s interest would have been to secure an heir in the face of imminent Babylonian invasion. Jehoiachin’s co-regency of ten years corresponds perfectly with his father Jehoiakim’s reign of eleven years (2 Chronicles 36:5).
I am not surprised that you failed to reply to any of my challenges of your supposed first three contradictions.
The truth will set you free.
Blessings, Steven @lastdays
Dear @gandhibaba,
Once again, there is a logical explanation that evidences there is no contradiction in the two following verses:
And [Judas] cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. —Matthew 27:5
Now [Judas] purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. —Acts 1:18
Acts 1:18 describes what occurred after Judas hanged himself in Matthew 27:5. His body began to decay as it hung from the rope. Eventually, his corpse fell, and “burst asunder” when it hit the ground—he literally burst apart.
These were two separate events that happened months apart. Pentecost occurred 50 days after the resurrection of Christ.
Blessings, Steven @lastdays
Dear @gandhibaba,
Responding to your last supposed contradiction concerning what time of day did Mary visit the tomb of Jesus:
Mary came alone at first when it was still dark before sunrise (John 20:1), and then again later after sunrise, she returned with the other women (Mark 16:1). In support of this is the fact that only Mary is mentioned in John, but Mary and the other women are named in Mark. Also, Luke (24:1) says it was “very early in the morning,” implying after sunrise, when the “women” [not just Mary] had come. Likewise, Matthew (28:1) speaks of it being “after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn” that “Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.” Only John mentions Mary being there alone “while it was still dark” (John 20:1).
Conclusion: Considering I proved that all 5 claimed contradictions were not contradictions at all, the Bible still stands as the only divinely inspired inerrant Word of God.
Blessings, Steven @lastdays
Can it be dark at sunrise?
Dear @gandhibaba,
Mary came alone at first when it was still dark before sunrise. She returned later with the other women after sunrise.
Blessings, Steven@lastdays
While I appreciate all your defences, some of them worthy of commendation, you succeeded in writing your own gospel. Even if Judas had hung himself like you rightly said, he couldn't have burst open in the middle. Even if this was the case, why can't the inerrant word speaks for itself?
Dear @gandhibaba,
The heat of the Middle East would hasten the rotting of a body hung a tree.
Judas' rotting body tore away from the rope and burst open when it hit the ground.
Blessings, Steven @lastdays
Is this the gospel or your own gospel or your own opinion? Anyway, I appreciate your contributions to this discourse. Thanks.
Dear @gandhibaba,
Every supposed contradiction can be challenged and proven false.
I will start with the first: At What Hour Did Jesus Die, Sixth or Third?
The Jews and the Romans used different standards for reckoning the hours of the day, although both systems split the day into two periods of 12 hours. A new day for the Romans began at midnight (as it does for us today), whereas a new day for the Jews began in the evening at what we would call 6 p.m.
Various clues within the fourth gospel indicate that John was using the Roman system (Geisler and Howe, 1992, p. 376). This makes sense given that John was writing outside of Palestine to a Hellenistic audience. That Mark used a Jewish system makes sense in light of the strong tradition that his gospel account follows sermons delivered by the apostle Peter (Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, 3.39). As always, we have to take into account the context, as well as cultural differences between the Jewish and Gentile worlds.
Given this distinction, the problem disappears. John has Pilate handing Jesus over for crucifixion at 6 a.m., and Mark has Jesus on the cross three hours later at 9 a.m. (i.e., “the third hour”). In fact, John begins his whole account of Jesus’ audience with Pilate by noting that it was “early morning” (18:28). This reference follows immediately after Peter and the rooster crowing incident. Roosters, of course, can crow at any time, but are most famous for signaling the beginning of a new day.
This is perfectly consistent with Mark’s account. The previous evening, Jesus and the disciples traveled from the upper room to the Mount of Olives and then to Gethsemane. The disciples fell asleep, and Jesus had to wake them in order to meet the arresting mob. Mark records the rooster crowing incident, and notes that the Jews delivered Jesus to Pilate “in the morning” (15:1). A skeptic might doubt that the events at the Prætorium took place at such an early hour (i.e., before 6 a.m.), but there is no evidence for this objection, and there is no inconsistency in the Gospel accounts.
Shalom, Steven @lastdays
We should take real life lesson in bible and most important is to implement it in our life.Then only jesus will be happy.
The Bible was written by someone so they can be contradictions but what matters is for us to learn something from the bible because it is powerful.
You're right Prechy, this is exactly the point I wanted to make in this essay. Good to know that you understand it.
You have to look at more of James to see the truth.
(James 2:14-26 NIV) What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? {15} Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. {16} If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? {17} In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. {18} But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. {19} You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder. {20} You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless ? {21} Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? {22} You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. {23} And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend. {24} You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone. {25} In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? {26} As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
James would say that we're saved by faith alone but not by a faith that is alone.
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/you-asked-what-time-did-jesus-die/
What Is Going on in Mark 15:25 and John 19:14?
When we come to passage like Mark 15:25, it is probably best to understand the expression “the third hour” not as a precise reference to 9 a.m., but as an approximate reference to midmorning—from 7:30 or 8:00 a.m. until 10 or 10:30 a.m. Likewise, the “sixth hour” could refer to any time from 10:30 a.m. or 11 a.m to 1 p.m. or 1:30 p.m. (Remember that the “hours” were rough approximations of the sun's position in a quadrant of the sky.) If the sentencing was delivered, say, around 10:30 a.m., and two witnesses were to glance at the sun in the sky, one could round down to the “third hour” and one could round up to “about the sixth hour,” depending on other factors they might want to emphasize (for example, if John wants to highlight in particular the length of the proceedings and that the final verdict concerning the Lamb of God is not far off from the noontime slaughter of lambs for the Sabbath dinner of Passover week). Ultimately, there is no final contradiction, especially given the fact that John gives an approximation (“about”) of something that was not meant to be precise in the first place.
No contradiction.
Judas died by hanging himself. His body decayed, possibly fell, and his insides came out. No contradiction.
In number 3 you misrepresented the verses:
(2 Kings 24:8 NIV) Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. His mother's name was Nehushta daughter of Elnathan; she was from Jerusalem.
(2 Chronicles 36:9 NIV) Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months and ten days. He did evil in the eyes of the LORD.
What time did Mary visit the tomb? Given the way the Jews defined time both accounts most likely have the time as very close. Even if it was a contradiction it's a meaningless one.
The Bible is the authentic word of God. It was written by men under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. It tells the truth about God, about mankind, about theology, and about salvation. Ignore it at your own peril.
I acknowledge your efforts but like many who try to defend these contradictions, you have succeeded in writing your own Bible. For example:
The bible is not a book about Judas but about God. By biblical standards if two or three witnesses are in accord the truth is established. We can surmise by this contradiction only that the fate of Judas was not determined. I imagine people would hate him after his betrayal and not really investigate what happened to him at that point.
Even if there is a contradiction in accounts its not a relevant one and only shows that people didn't collude to make the overall narrative fit. (Which, conversely, adds to value and veracity of the message of the bible.) However the contradiction may not be a contradiction at all, as @barncat explained in fewer words, if the field he bought was very steep and he hanged himself on the top when they took him down from the tree he fell headlong, tumbling down, loosing his bowels. (Possibly a poetic reference to his sins coming out in the open as well as a gruesome literal observation)
The bible was written by men, that may be the reason for the different contradictions to which you mention, I have also always had that concern, it seems to me that all this misinformation does more harm than good to Christianity.
But we have to know that what is important is that it is a sacred word.
You're absolutely right my friend. It remains a sacred word, no doubt.
You're absolutely
Right my friend. It remains a
Sacred word, no doubt.
- gandhibaba
I'm a bot. I detect haiku.
Si siempre se verán contradicciones en todo lo que haga el hombre, por que a mi juicio parte de algo subjetivo. Lo que si es cierto es que la Biblia es un cúmulo de lecciones para la vida, si se siguen se podrá formar un ser humano de calidad, que es lo que nuestras sociedades necesitan.
If you will always see contradictions in everything that man does, because in my opinion part of something subjective. What is certain is that the Bible is a collection of lessons for life, if they are followed, a quality human being can be formed, which is what our societies need.
Having been raised in a hyper-conservative Evangelical Baptist church, I've heard sermons preached praising God for demanding the extermination of various ethnic groups who were in the way of Israel's attempts to conquer what is still Palestine. More than any of the contradictions you rightly noted, this behaviour of God's made me question, and then deny forever, His supposed mercifulness. The Amalekites, Perizzites, Hivites, Jebusites, and Canaanites were all wiped out on God's command. I believe these commands are the first recorded instances of genocide in human history. A God who can happily demand genocide is a God we can do without. https://religionnews.com/2015/01/12/god-command-genocide-bible/