Do some Christians acknowledge Bible contradictions?

[Tcg]

.
Some accuse atheists of not understanding the Bible given that they acknowledge that the Bible contains contradictions.

An example of a contradiction is included in the story of the demons cast into a herd of 2,000 pigs. Both gospel Mark (5:2) and gospel Luke (8:27) state that Jesus met "a man." The gospel Matthew (8:28) claims that Jesus met "two demon-possessed men."

Matthew clearly contradicts both Mark and Luke. Some may argue that this isn't a contradiction because neither Mark or Luke state Jesus met one and only one man. They may explain that Jesus in fact met two men, but that Mark and Luke only mentioned one of them.

I suppose we could stretch this further and claim that there were actually four demon possessed men. Matthew mentioned two of them, Mark mentioned one, and Luke mentioned the last. We could of course push it further and claim there were 98 demon possessed men and the gospel authors only mentioned four of them.

None of these are reasonable explanations. It is clear that Matthew's count contradicts both Mark and Luke's.

Is it only atheists who acknowledge Bible contradictions like the one above?

Do some Christians acknowledge Bible contradictions whether or not it includes the one mentioned above?


Tcg

[Wootah]

[Replying to post 1 by Tcg]

OK but since you can see the valid, sensible reply to that contradiction just post the one you actually want to talk about.

I don't know of any Bible contradictions but I would not say that if one existed it would invalidate the Bible immediately. For me, the biggest thing that invalidates the Bible is its amazingness.

Seriously.

To have predicted so many events, to contain so much truth and wisdom, it's all a bit convenient some times. For instance, I am reading now about the 153 fish they catch.

https://theopolisinstitute.com/153-large-fish/

Is it symbolic or does the literal and symbolic collide in the Bible because God is melding symbolism and historical events simultaneously?

If it is symbolic and the event didn't happen it seems to me to be a case for the Bible being false.

[Tcg]

[Replying to post 1 by Tcg]

OK but since you can see the valid, sensible reply to that contradiction just post the one you actually want to talk about.

If you review my post, you'll see that I consider none of them valid or sensible.

In any case, the main question for debate is this:

• Do some Christians acknowledge Bible contradictions whether or not it includes the one mentioned above?

This is what I want to talk about.

Tcg

[Wootah]

[Replying to post 3 by Tcg]

Well that's on you. I don't think we can get into personal discussions of that nature.

Is there a contradiction that is more normative that you want to consider?

[Tcg]

[Replying to post 3 by Tcg]

Well that's on you. I don't think we can get into personal discussions of that nature.

Personal discussions of what nature?

Is there a contradiction that is more normative that you want to consider?

As I explained above, I don't want to consider contradictions themselves, but whether or not some Christians acknowledge Bible contradictions. The main question for debate makes that quite clear.

I've found one who does:

• Four Things CS Lewis Said About The Bible That Shook My Faith
  
  2. The Bible has inconsistencies.
  
  “Whatever view we hold of the divine authority of Scripture must make room for….the apparent inconsistencies between the genealogies in Matt. i and Luke ii; with the accounts of the death of Judas in Matt. xxvii 5 and Acts i 18-19….It seems to me that [this and other facts] rule out the view that every statement in Scripture must be historical truth.�
  
  https://www.patheos.com/blogs/barrierbr ... -my-faith/

Is C.S. Lewis alone or are there others?


Tcg

[Elijah John]

[Replying to post 1 by Tcg]

This non-orthodox Christian acknowledges that the Bible contains some very significant contradictions.

Not only contradictions in detail as you point out, but thematic and doctrine related contradictions as well.

For example, the unknown author of Hebrews asserts that "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin".

That is contradicted by many OT verses such as Micah 6.6-8, Hosea 6.6 etc. And also in the opening chapters in the book of Luke where John performed "baptisms of repentance for the forgiveness of sins". John did not shed any blood in the process. This is a major doctrinal contradiction.

[Willum]

The biggest contradictions in the Bible are from the old saying "do as I say, not as I do"
Or in God's case, believe what I say, not in how I act.

God claims to be love, claims forgiveness, and so on.

But for every benevolent claim, it also states it actions far in the opposite.
"For God so loved the world that he everything on it," is a perverse quip that comes to mind.
Even the new fella, Jesus, says everyone can be forgiven, but that very few will be.

Those are hard contradictions that are impossible to rectify.

There are of course many many others.
His chosen people. I would rather be cursed by God, than chosen by him, there is a more probable survival rate. HOW many of the 12 tribes survived?
and so on.

Bible contradictions are at every possible level, and rarely are they in humanity's favour.

[Tcg]

[Replying to post 1 by Tcg]

This non-orthodox Christian acknowledges that the Bible contains some very significant contradictions.

Not only contradictions in detail as you point out, but thematic and doctrine related contradictions as well.

Thank-you for your reply that not only addresses the question at hand, but also points out that the concept of Bible contradictions is broader than first considered.

For example, the unknown author of Hebrews asserts that "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin".

That is contradicted by many OT verses such as Micah 6.6-8, Hosea 6.6 etc. And also in the opening chapters in the book of Luke where John performed "baptisms of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. John did not shed any blood in the process. This is a major doctrinal contradiction.

This is a good example that supports a broader view of contradictions.


Tcg

[Wootah]

[Replying to post 5 by Tcg]

As to why you think something sensible is not sensible.

Detectives working on evidence from witnesses would have no problem with one witness saying they say one man and another saying they say two. It just depends on the focus of the witness and the detail they are talking about or remembering.

[Zzyzx]

.

Detectives working on evidence from witnesses would have no problem with one witness saying they say one man and another saying they say two. It just depends on the focus of the witness and the detail they are talking about or remembering.

Some contradictions are much more direct than 'one vs. two people'. In a current thread someone is attempting to argue that there is no contradiction between:

John 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time

and

Genesis 32:30… I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved

Let's face it, both statements cannot be true -- no matter how much word play is attempted. Which one is false and how can that be determined?

Also:

Exodus 33:20 And he [The Lord] said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.

Exodus 33:23 And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.

According to this Moses did see 'The Lord' (but was prohibited from seeing 'his' face). How does that NOT contradict John 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time

If we see a friend from the back, know who they are, and speak to them, have we seen them or not?