Do you believe the bible? then please explain this

[Dr.Physics]

If the Bible was divinely inspired, then why would it have so many really obvious contradictions?

bonus question: if you believe in god, but you think that the bible is man made (completely), what gives you the idea of god actually existing?


Theological doctrines:

1. God is satisfied with his works
Gen 1:31
God is dissatisfied with his works.
Gen 6:6
2. God dwells in chosen temples
2 Chron 7:12,16
God dwells not in temples
Acts 7:48
3. God dwells in light
Tim 6:16
God dwells in darkness
1 Kings 8:12/ Ps 18:11/ Ps 97:2
4. God is seen and heard
Ex 33:23/ Ex 33:11/ Gen 3:9,10/ Gen 32:30/ Is 6:1/
Ex 24:9-11
God is invisible and cannot be heard
John 1:18/ John 5:37/ Ex 33:20/ 1 Tim 6:16
5. God is tired and rests
Ex 31:17
God is never tired and never rests
Is 40:28
6. God is everywhere present, sees and knows all things
Prov 15:3/ Ps 139:7-10/ Job 34:22,21
God is not everywhere present, neither sees nor knows all
things
Gen 11:5/ Gen 18:20,21/ Gen 3:8
7. God knows the hearts of men
Acts 1:24/ Ps 139:2,3
God tries men to find out what is in their heart
Deut 13:3/ Deut 8:2/ Gen 22:12
8. God is all powerful
Jer 32:27/ Matt 19:26
God is not all powerful
Judg 1:19
9. God is unchangeable
James 1:17/ Mal 3:6/ Ezek 24:14/ Num 23:19
God is changeable
Gen 6:6/ Jonah 3:10/ 1 Sam 2:30,31/ 2 Kings 20:1,4,5,6/
Ex 33:1,3,17,14
10. God is just and impartial
Ps 92:15/ Gen 18:25/ Deut 32:4/ Rom 2:11/ Ezek 18:25
God is unjust and partial
Gen 9:25/ Ex 20:5/ Rom 9:11-13/ Matt 13:12
11. God is the author of evil
Lam 3:38/ Jer 18:11/ Is 45:7/ Amos 3:6/ Ezek 20:25
God is not the author of evil
1 Cor 14:33/ Deut 32:4/ James 1:13
12. God gives freely to those who ask
James 1:5/ Luke 11:10
God withholds his blessings and prevents men from receiving
them
John 12:40/ Josh 11:20/ Is 63:17
13. God is to be found by those who seek him
Matt 7:8/ Prov 8:17
God is not to be found by those who seek him
Prov 1:28
14. God is warlike
Ex 15:3/ Is 51:15
God is peaceful
Rom 15:33/ 1 Cor 14:33
15. God is cruel, unmerciful, destructive, and ferocious
Jer 13:14/ Deut 7:16/ 1 Sam 15:2,3/ 1 Sam 6:19
God is kind, merciful, and good
James 5:11/ Lam 3:33/ 1 Chron 16:34/ Ezek 18:32/ Ps 145:9/
1 Tim 2:4/ 1 John 4:16/ Ps 25:8
16. God's anger is fierce and endures long
Num 32:13/ Num 25:4/ Jer 17:4
God's anger is slow and endures but for a minute
Ps 103:8/ Ps 30:5
17. God commands, approves of, and delights in burnt offerings,
sacrifices ,and holy days
Ex 29:36/ Lev 23:27/ Ex 29:18/ Lev 1:9
God disapproves of and has no pleasure in burnt offerings,
sacrifices, and holy days.
Jer 7:22/ Jer 6:20/ Ps 50:13,4/ Is 1:13,11,12
18. God accepts human sacrifices
2 Sam 21:8,9,14/ Gen 22:2/ Judg 11:30-32,34,38,39
God forbids human sacrifice
Deut 12:30,31
19. God tempts men
Gen 22:1/ 2 Sam 24:1/ Jer 20:7/ Matt 6:13
God tempts no man
James 1:13
20. God cannot lie
Heb 6:18
God lies by proxy; he sends forth lying spirits t deceive
2 Thes 2:11/ 1 Kings 22:23/ Ezek 14:9
21. Because of man's wickedness God destroys him
Gen 6:5,7
Because of man's wickedness God will not destroy him
Gen 8:21
22. God's attributes are revealed in his works.
Rom 1:20
God's attributes cannot be discovered
Job 11:7/ Is 40:28
23. There is but one God
Deut 6:4
There is a plurality of gods
Gen 1:26/ Gen 3:22/ Gen 18:1-3/ 1 John 5:7


Moral Precepts

24. Robbery commanded
Ex 3:21,22/ Ex 12:35,36
Robbery forbidden
Lev 19:13/ Ex 20:15
25. Lying approved and sanctioned
Josh 2:4-6/ James 2:25/ Ex 1:18-20/ 1 Kings 22:21,22
Lying forbidden
Ex 20:16/ Prov 12:22/ Rev 21:8
26. Hatred to the Edomite sanctioned
2 Kings 14:7,3
Hatred to the Edomite forbidden
Deut 23:7
27. Killing commanded
Ex 32:27
Killing forbidden
Ex 20:13
28. The blood-shedder must die
Gen 9:5,6
The blood-shedder must not die
Gen 4:15
29. The making of images forbidden
Ex 20:4
The making of images commanded
Ex 25:18,20
30. Slavery and oppression ordained
Gen 9:25/ Lev 25:45,46/ Joel 3:8
Slavery and oppression forbidden
Is 58:6/ Ex 22:21/ Ex 21:16/ Matt 23:10
31. Improvidence enjoyed
Matt 6:28,31,34/ Luke 6:30,35/ Luke 12:3
Improvidence condemned
1 Tim 5:8/ Prov 13:22
32. Anger approved
Eph 4:26
Anger disapproved
Eccl 7:9/ Prov 22:24/ James 1:20
33. Good works to be seen of men
Matt 5:16
Good works not to be seen of men
Matt 6:1
34. Judging of others forbidden
Matt 7:1,2
Judging of others approved
1 Cor 6:2-4/ 1 Cor 5:12
35. Christ taught non-resistance
Matt 5:39/ Matt 26:52
Christ taught and practiced physical resistance
Luke 22:36/ John 2:15
36. Christ warned his followers not to fear being killed
Luke 12:4
Christ himself avoided the Jews for fear of being killed
John 7:1
37. Public prayer sanctioned
1 Kings 8:22,54, 9:3
Public prayer disapproved
Matt 6:5,6
38. Importunity in prayer commended
Luke 18:5,7
Importunity in prayer condemned
Matt 6:7,8
39. The wearing of long hair by men sanctioned
Judg 13:5/ Num 6:5
The wearing of long hair by men condemned
1 Cor 11:14
40. Circumcision instituted
Gen 17:10
Circumcision condemned
Gal 5:2
41. The Sabbath instituted
Ex 20:8
The Sabbath repudiated
Is 1:13/ Rom 14:5/ Col 2:16
42. The Sabbath instituted because God rested on the seventh day
Ex 20:11
The Sabbath instituted because God brought the Israelites
out of Egypt
Deut 5:15
43. No work to be done on the Sabbath under penalty of death
Ex 31:15/ Num 15:32,36
Jesus Christ broke the Sabbath and justified his disciples in
the same
John 5:16/ Matt 12:1-3,5
44. Baptism commanded
Matt 28:19
Baptism not commanded
1 Cor 1:17,14
45. Every kind of animal allowed for food.
Gen 9:3/ 1 Cor 10:25/ Rom 14:14
Certain kinds of animals prohibited for food.
Deut 14:7,8
46. Taking of oaths sanctioned
Num 30:2/ Gen 21:23-24,31/ Gen 31:53/ Heb 6:13
Taking of oaths forbidden
Matt 5:34
47. Marriage approved
Gen 2:18/ Gen 1:28/ Matt 19:5/ Heb 13:4
Marriage disapproved
1 Cor 7:1/ 1 Cor 7:7,8
48. Freedom of divorce permitted
Deut 24:1/ Deut 21:10,11,14
Divorce restricted
Matt 5:32
49. Adultery forbidden
Ex 20:14/ Heb 13:4
Adultery allowed
Num 31:18/ Hos 1:2; 2:1-3
50. Marriage or cohabitation with a sister denounced
Deut 27:22/ Lev 20:17
Abraham married his sister and God blessed the union
Gen 20:11,12/ Gen 17:16
51. A man may marry his brother's widow
Deut 25:5
A man may not marry his brother's widow
Lev 20:21
52. Hatred to kindred enjoined
Luke 14:26
Hatred to kindred condemned
Eph 6:2/ Eph 5:25,29
53. Intoxicating beverages recommended
Prov 31:6,7/ 1 Tim 5:23/ Ps 104:15
Intoxicating beverages discountenanced
Prov 20:1/ Prov 23:31,32
54. It is our duty to obey our rulers, who are God's ministers
and punish evil doers only
Rom 13:1-3,6
It is not our duty to obey rulers, who sometimes punish the
good and receive unto themselves damnation therefor
Ex 1:17,20/ Dan 3:16,18/ Dan 6:9,7,10/ Acts 4:26,27/
Mark 12:38,39,40/ Luke 23:11,24,33,35
55. Women's rights denied
Gen 3:16/ 1 Tim 2:12/ 1 Cor 14:34/ 1 Pet 3:6
Women's rights affirmed
Judg 4:4,14,15/ Judg 5:7/ Acts 2:18/ Acts 21:9
56. Obedience to masters enjoined
Col 3:22,23/ 1 Pet 2:18
Obedience due to God only
Matt 4:10/ 1 Cor 7:23/ Matt 23:10
57. There is an unpardonable sin
Mark 3:29
There is not unpardonable sin
Acts 13:39


Historical Facts

58. Man was created after the other animals
Gen 1:25,26,27
Man was created before the other animals
Gen 2:18,19
59. Seed time and harvest were never to cease
Gen 8:22
Seed time and harvest did cease for seven years
Gen 41:54,56/ Gen 45:6
60. God hardened Pharaoh's heart
Ex 4:21/ Ed 9:12
Pharaoh hardened his own heart
Ex 8:15
61. All the cattle and horses in Egypt died
Ex 9:3,6/ 14:9
All the horses of Egypt did not die
Ex 14:9
62. Moses feared Pharaoh
Ex 2:14,15,23; 4:19
Moses did not fear Pharaoh
Heb 11:27
63. There died of the plague twenty-four thousand
Num 25:9
There died of the plague but twenty-three thousand
1 Cor 10:8
64. John the Baptist was Elias
Matt 11:14
John the Baptist was not Elias
John 1:21
65. The father of Joseph, Mary's husband was Jacob
Matt 1:16
The father of Mary's husband was Heli
Luke 3:23
66. The father of Salah was Arphaxad
Gen 11:12
The father of Salah was Cainan
Luke 3:35,36
67. There were fourteen generations from Abraham to David
Matt 1:17
There were but thirteen generations from Abraham to David
Matt 1:2-6
68. There were fourteen generations from the Babylonian captivity
to Christ.
Matt 1:17
There were but thirteen generations from the Babylonian
captivity to Christ
Matt 1:12-16
69. The infant Christ was taken into Egypt
Matt 2:14,15,19,21,23
The infant Christ was not taken into Egypt
Luke 2:22, 39
70. Christ was tempted in the wilderness
Mark 1:12,13
Christ was not tempted in the wilderness
John 2:1,2
71. Christ preached his first sermon on the mount
Matt 5:1,2
Christ preached his first sermon on the plain
Luke 6:17,20
72. John was in prison when Jesus went into Galilee
Mark 1:14
John was not in prison when Jesus went into Galilee
John 1:43/ John 3:22-24
73. Christ's disciples were commanded to go forth with a staff
and sandals
Mark 6:8,9
Christ's disciples were commanded to go forth with neither
staffs nor sandals.
Matt 10:9,10
74. A woman of Canaan besought Jesus
Matt 15:22
It was a Greek woman who besought Him
Mark 7:26
75. Two blind men besought Jesus
Matt 20:30
Only one blind man besought Him
Luke 18:35,38
76. Christ was crucified at the third hour
Mark 15:25
Christ was not crucified until the sixth hour
John 19:14,15
77. The two thieves reviled Christ.
Matt 27:44/ Mark 15:32
Only one of the thieves reviled Christ
Luke 23:39,40
78. Satan entered into Judas while at supper
John 13:27
Satan entered into him before the supper
Luke 22:3,4,7
79. Judas committed suicide by hanging
Matt 27:5
Judas did not hang himself, but died another way
Acts 1:18
80. The potter's field was purchased by Judas
Acts 1:18
The potter's field was purchased by the Chief Priests
Matt 27:6,7
81. There was but one woman who came to the sepulchre
John 20:1
There were two women who came to the sepulchre
Matt 28:1
82. There were three women who came to the sepulchre
Mark 16:1
There were more than three women who came to the sepulchre
Luke 24:10
83. It was at sunrise when they came to the sepulchre
Mark 16:2
It was some time before sunrise when they came.
John 20:1
84. There were two angels seen by the women at the sepulchre, and
they were standing up.
Luke 24:4
There was but one angel seen, and he was sitting down.
Matt 28:2,5
85. There were two angels seen within the sepulchre.
John 20:11,12
There was but one angel seen within the sepulchre
Mark 16:5
86. Christ was to be three days and three nights in the grave
Matt 12:40
Christ was but two days and two nights in the grave
Mark 15:25,42,44,45,46; 16:9>
87. Holy ghost bestowed at pentecost
Acts 1:8,5
Holy ghost bestowed before pentecost
John 20:22
88. The disciples were commanded immediately after the
resurrection to go into Galilee
Matt 28:10
The disciples were commanded immediately after the
resurrection to go tarry at Jerusalem
Luke 24:49
89. Jesus first appeared to the eleven disciples in a room at
Jerusalem
Luke 24:33,36,37/ John 20:19
Jesus first appeared to the eleven on a mountain in Galilee
Matt 28:16,17
90. Christ ascended from Mount Olivet
Acts 1:9,12
Christ ascended from Bethany
Luke 24:50,51
91. Paul's attendants heard the miraculous voice, and stood
speechless
Acts 9:7
Paul's attendants heard not the voice and were prostrate
Acts 26:14
92. Abraham departed to go into Canaan
Gen 12:5
Abraham went not knowing where
Heb 11:8
93. Abraham had two sons
Gal 4:22
Abraham had but one son
Heb 11:17
94. Keturah was Abraham's wife
Gen 25:1
Keturah was Abraham's concubine
1 Chron 1:32
95. Abraham begat a son when he was a hundred years old, by the
interposition of Providence
Gen 21:2/ Rom 4:19/ Heb 11:12
Abraham begat six children more after he was a hundred years
old without any interposition of providence
Gen 25:1,2
96. Jacob bought a sepulchre from Hamor
Josh 24:32
Abraham bought it of Hamor
Acts 7:16
97. God promised the land of Canaan to Abraham and his seed
forever
Gen 13:14,15,17; 17:8
Abraham and his seed never received the promised land
Acts 7:5/ Heb 11:9,13
98. Goliath was slain by Elhanan
2 Sam 21:19 *note, was changed in translation to be
correct. Original manuscript was incorrect>
The brother of Goliath was slain by Elhanan
1 Chron 20:5
99. Ahaziah began to reign in the twelfth year of Joram
2 Kings 8:25
Ahaziah began to reign in the eleventh year of Joram
2 Kings 9:29
100. Michal had no child
2 Sam 6:23
Michal had five children
2 Sam 21:8
101. David was tempted by the Lord to number Israel
2 Sam 24:1
David was tempted by Satan to number the people
1 Chron 21:1
102. The number of fighting men of Israel was 800,000; and of
Judah 500,000
2 Sam 24:9
The number of fighting men of Israel was 1,100,000; and of
Judah 470,000
1 Chron 21:5
103. David sinned in numbering the people
2 Sam 24:10
David never sinned, except in the matter of Uriah
1 Kings 15:5
104. One of the penalties of David's sin was seven years of
famine.
2 Sam 24:13
It was not seven years, but three years of famine
1 Chron 21:11,12
105. David took seven hundred horsemen
2 Sam 8:4
David took seven thousand horsemen
1 Chron 18:4
106. David bought a threshing floor for fifty shekels of silver
2 Sam 24:24
David bought the threshing floor for six hundred shekels of
gold
1 Chron 21:25
107. David's throne was to endure forever.
Ps 89:35-37
David's throne was cast down
Ps 89:44


Speculative Doctrines

108. Christ is equal with God
John 10:30/ Phil 2:5
Christ is not equal with God
John 14:28/ Matt 24:36
109. Jesus was all-powerful
Matt 28:18/ John 3:35
Jesus was not all-powerful
Mark 6:5
110. The law was superseded by the Christian dispensation
Luke 16:16/ Eph 2:15/ Rom 7:6
The law was not superseded by the Christian dispensation
Matt 5:17-19
111. Christ's mission was peace
Luke 2:13,14
Christ's mission was not peace
Matt 10:34
112. Christ received not testimony from man
John 5:33,34
Christ did receive testimony from man
John 15:27
113. Christ's witness of himself is true.
John 8:18,14
Christ's witness of himself is not true.
John 5:31
114. Christ laid down his life for his friends
John 15:13/ John 10:11
Christ laid down his life for his enemies
Rom 5:10
115. It was lawful for the Jews to put Christ to death
John 19:7
It was not lawful for the Jews to put Christ to death
John 18:31
116. Children are punished for the sins of the parents
Ex 20:5
Children are not punished for the sins of the parents
Ezek 18:20
117. Man is justified by faith alone
Rom 3:20/ Gal 2:16/ Gal 3:11,12/ Rom 4:2
Man is not justified by faith alone
James 2:21,24/ Rom 2:13
118. It is impossible to fall from grace
John 10:28/ Rom 8:38,39
It is possible to fall from grace
Ezek 18:24/ Heb 6:4-6, 2 Pet 2:20,21
119. No man is without sin
1 Kings 8:46/ Prov 20:9/ Eccl 7:20/ Rom 3:10
Christians are sinless
1 John 3: 9,6,8
120. There is to be a resurrection of the dead
1 Cor 15:52/ Rev 20:12,13/ Luke 20:37/ 1 Cor 15:16
There is to be no resurrection of the dead
Job 7:9/ Eccl 9:5/ Is 26:14
121. Reward and punishment to be bestowed in this world
Prov 11:31
Reward and punishment to be bestowed in the next world
Rev 20:12/ Matt 16:27/ 2 Cor 5:10
122. Annihilation the portion of all mankind
Job 3: 11,13-17,19-22/ Eccl 9:5,10/ Eccl 3:19,20
Endless misery the portion of all mankind
Matt 25:46/ Rev 20:10,15/ Rev 14:11/ Dan 12:2
123. The Earth is to be destroyed
2 Pet 3:10/ Heb 1:11/ Rev 20:11
The Earth is never to be destroyed
Ps 104:5/ Eccl 1:4
124. No evil shall happen to the godly
Prov 12:21/ 1 Pet 3:13
Evil does happen to the godly
Heb 12:6/ Job 2:3,7
125. Worldly good and prosperity are the lot of the godly
Prov 12:21/ Ps 37:28,32,33,37/ Ps 1:1,3/ Gen 39:2/
Job 42:12
Worldly misery and destitution the lot of the godly
Heb 11:37,38/ Rev 7:14/ 2 Tim 3:12/ Luke 21:17
126. Worldly prosperity a reward of righteousness and a blessing
Mark 10:29,30/ Ps 37:25/ Ps 112:1,3/ Job 22:23,24/
Prov 15:6
Worldly prosperity a curse and a bar to future reward
Luke 6:20,24/ Matt 6:19,21/ Luke 16:22/ Matt 19:24/
Luke 6:24
127. The Christian yoke is easy
Matt 11:28,29,30
The Christian yoke is not easy
John 16:33/ 2 Tim 3:12/ Heb 12:6,8
128. The fruit of God's spirit is love and gentleness
Gal 5:22
The fruit of God's spirit is vengeance and fury
Judg 15:14/ 1 Sam 18:10,11
129. Longevity enjoyed by the wicked
Job 21:7,8/ Ps 17:14/ Eccl 8:12/ Is 65:20
Longevity denied to the wicked
Eccl 8:13/ Ps 55:23/ Prov 10:27/ Job 36:14/ Eccl 7:17
130. Poverty a blessing
Luke 6:20,24/ Jams 2:5
Riches a blessing
Prov 10:15/ Job 22:23,24/ Job 42:12
Neither poverty nor riches a blessing
Prov 30:8,9
131. Wisdom a source of enjoyment
Prov 3:13,17
Wisdom a source of vexation, grief and sorrow
Eccl 1:17,18
132. A good name is a blessing
Eccl 7:1/ Prov 22:1
A good name is a curse
Luke 6:26
133. Laughter commended
Eccl 3:1,4/ Eccl 8:15
Laughter condemned
Luke 6:25/ Eccl 7:3,4
134. The rod of correction a remedy for foolishness
Prov 22:15
There is no remedy for foolishness
Prov 27:22
135. A fool should be answered according to his folly
Prov 26:5
A fool should not be answered according to his folly
Prov 26:4
136. Temptation to be desired
James 1:2
Temptation not to be desired
Matt 6:13
137. Prophecy is sure
2 Pet 1:19
Prophecy is not sure
Jer 18:7-10
138. Man's life was to be one hundred and twenty years
Gen 6:3/ Ps 90:10
Man's life is but seventy years
Ps 90:10
139. The fear of man was to be upon every beast
Gen 9:2
The fear of man is not upon the lion
Prov 30:30
140. Miracles a proof of divine mission
Matt 11:2-5/ John 3:2/ Ex 14:31
Miracles not a proof of divine mission
Ex 7:10-12/ Deut 13:1-3/ Luke 11:19
141. Moses was a very meek man
Num 12:3
Moses was a very cruel man
Num 31:15,17
142. Elijah went up to heaven
2 Kings 2:11
None but Christ ever ascended into heaven
John 3:13
143. All scripture is inspired
2 Tim 3:16
Some scripture is not inspired
1 Cor 7:6/ 1 Cor 7:12/ 2 Cor 11:17


and so so so many more...

[Zzyzx]

.
Those are all due to translation errors, or misinterpretations, or taken out of context.

1) There are no contradictions in the bible

2) If there are contradictions in the bible see rule #1

[Dr.Physics]

.
Those are all due to translation errors, or misinterpretations, or taken out of context.

1) There are no contradictions in the bible

2) If there are contradictions in the bible see rule #1

i laughed out loud as i read this, spilled diet coke on my shirt...

and i felt a social obligation to tell you so

[Dr.Physics]

.
Those are all due to translation errors, or misinterpretations, or taken out of context.

1) There are no contradictions in the bible

2) If there are contradictions in the bible see rule #1

and just for the heck of it, ill give my response to anyone who would really say this, which i know there are people here who would:

read the verses for yourself, IN CONTEXT, and explain to me why they are mistaken representations. also, show me how they are translational errors if that is your claim.

if even ONE of these contradictions are legitimate, you gots sum explaining to do.

[cnorman18]

MODERATOR OBSERVATION



I let you off the hook on the "14 Birds" thread, but let's try to get into the habit of posting the link when lifting material from another site, shall we? Thanks.



http://www.evilbible.com/Biblical%20Contradictions.htm

[Dr.Physics]

I let you off the hook on the "14 Birds" thread, but let's try to get into the habit of posting the link when lifting material from another site, shall we? Thanks.

i thought it was implied by the intensive length and "collumness"


thats what i get for assuming i guess eh?

[cnorman18]

I let you off the hook on the "14 Birds" thread, but let's try to get into the habit of posting the link when lifting material from another site, shall we? Thanks.

i thought it was implied by the intensive length and "collumness"


thats what i get for assuming i guess eh?

Let me clarify; to prevent a charge of plagiarism, it's not sufficient to merely admit or imply that the work is not original. You have to give the source, in a form which makes it easy, or at least possible, for a reader to find and verify it; either a link, or a footnote giving book or magazine title, publisher, date, page, and like that.

That's for quotations, mind, of substantial length -- say a few sentences or more. A remark or short quote may simply be accompanied by an informal allusion to the source -- "As Bertrand Russell once said," etc. Those standards have been around for a very long time and haven't changed, in either academia or journalism. By common consent, they apply here, too.

[Dr.Physics]

I let you off the hook on the "14 Birds" thread, but let's try to get into the habit of posting the link when lifting material from another site, shall we? Thanks.

i thought it was implied by the intensive length and "collumness"


thats what i get for assuming i guess eh?

Let me clarify; to prevent a charge of plagiarism, it's not sufficient to merely admit or imply that the work is not original. You have to give the source, in a form which makes it easy, or at least possible, for a reader to find and verify it; either a link, or a footnote giving book or magazine title, publisher, date, page, and like that.

That's for quotations, mind, of substantial length -- say a few sentences or more. A remark or short quote may simply be accompanied by an informal allusion to the source -- "As Bertrand Russell once said," etc. Those standards have been around for a very long time and haven't changed, in either academia or journalism. By common consent, they apply here, too.

alrightty

[JehovahsWitness]

If the Bible was divinely inspired, then why would it have so many really obvious contradictions...

I think you need a little help with what a contradiction is.

<b>Is it REALLY a contradiction?</b>

TIME (CIRCUMSTANCE) SPECIFIC

A statement that says a man is a "good worker" and later a statement that he was a "dishonest worker" may be viewed as contradictory unless one takes into account the time period being referred to. The man may well have started out as a "good worker" in 1985 but have been eventually corrupted and convicted for a crime later in his career. In a similar vein, "Mary lives in London" "Mary does not live in London" (depends on what period is being referred to). If Mary lived in London from 1999-2003 but moved and then lived in New York from 2003-2008, we do not have a contradiction*.

As well as needing to take into account the time a statement is made, WHO a statement is made to/about is also relevant. For example "Is God a man of peace or war?" Romans 15:33 says "The God of peace." but Exodus 15:3:"The Lord is a man of war. This apparent 'contradiction' is nothing of the sort since God can of course be BOTH depending on who he is interacting with.

To illustrate: Former President Bush identified himself as a<b> "a President of War",</b> did this mean he would go to war against his own people? Would Americans fear after this statement that he would drop bombs on Washington or New York? Obviously he was refering to warring against his enemies. In a similar way God offers Peace to those that desire a peaceful relationship with him but is a 'God of War' to those that defy him and attack his people.


FAUX CONTRADICTIONS

Is it physically impossible for BOTH to be true? A true contradiction presents two facts which are IMPOSSIBLE to harmonize. Often people site two apparently contractory facts which can in fact be harmonized.

<i>To illustrate, one observer of a car accident says that the driver had a heart attack, another than he crashed and a third that he drowned. If however the indivdual was driving over a bridge, had a heart attack and crashing over the barrier, plummeted into the river below, drowning, all three statements can be true. A contradiction arises ONLY when one or more are physically impossible. For example, he drowned in London at 3pm on Friday and was burnt at the stake at 3:01 on the same day in Paris. The two statements are physically impossible to harmonize thus you have a "true" contradiction. *Since the bible rarely gives specific times of events, readers would be hard pushed to identify a contradiction of this nature. In short, most facts can be harmonized and no claim of contradiction can be thus made in their regard.</i>

LANGUAGE

Bible Critics often have little or no understanding of the difficulties and limits of translating from one language to another and site a "contradiction" where in reality there is simply a difficulty in transposing ideas. For example the idea that an all powerful God has to "rest" does not take into account the fact that in Hebrew the word translated into the English "rest" can actually mean simply desist from a particular tast/work and be unrelated to fatique or lack of power. Such individuals also tend to have a very simplistic approach to language that is overwhelmingly literal so they see a "contradiction" where a basic knowledge of ENGLISH would solve the *problem*.

INTERPRETATIONAL CONCLUSIONS

Lists of this ilk rely heavily on the writers highly subjective and often contextually inaccurate interpretation of event. Thus a passage of God destroying someone = "God is cruel" contrasted with a verse him giving a blessing = "God is kind" and a self proclaimed "contradiction". This is like an observer seeing someone pick up something from a shop and walk out ("theif steals soap") and walk into another shop an pay for it ("thief pays for toothpaste") not taking into account that possibly the first incident wasn't theft but he paid for the item earlier, he owns the shop, he is the supplier ... or any other number of explanations. In short the person was not a "thief" at all and the contradiction based on a limited understanding of the circumstances.

OUT & OUT LIES
Unfortunately the some of the less reputable sites (I'm pretty confident the OP is a "cut & paste" and has not personally found/checked all the referenced scriptures) simply lie or misrepresent information in scripture? "inventing" contradictions by attributing actions, for example, to one individual that on closer examination, were in scripture attributed to two different people.


Further reading
http://4simpsons.wordpress.com/2008/11/ ... heyve-got/
http://www.tektonics.org/index2.html
http://kingdavid8.com/Contradictions/Home.html

As the list below well illustrates "armchair" bible critiques make fundamental mistakes in contextual analysis, linguistic consideration and interpretational inaccuracies:

TIME/PERSON SPECIFIC - Who is being spoken to and when?
What is being spoken and to whom?

1. God is satisfied with his works
Gen 1:31
God is dissatisfied with his works.
Gen 6:6

12. God gives freely to those who ask
James 1:5/ Luke 11:10
God withholds his blessings and prevents men from receiving
them
John 12:40/ Josh 11:20/ Is 63:17

13. God is to be found by those who seek him
Matt 7:8/ Prov 8:17
God is not to be found by those who seek him
Prov 1:28

14. God is warlike
Ex 15:3/ Is 51:15
God is peaceful
Rom 15:33/ 1 Cor 14:33

16. God's anger is fierce and endures long
Num 32:13/ Num 25:4/ Jer 17:4
God's anger is slow and endures but for a minute
Ps 103:8/ Ps 30:5

18. God accepts human sacrifices
2 Sam 21:8,9,14/ Gen 22:2/ Judg 11:30-32,34,38,39
God forbids human sacrifice
Deut 12:30,31

21. Because of man's wickedness God destroys him
Gen 6:5,7
Because of man's wickedness God will not destroy him
Gen 8:21

22. God's attributes are revealed in his works.
Rom 1:20
God's attributes cannot be discovered
Job 11:7/ Is 40:28

24. Robbery commanded
Ex 3:21,22/ Ex 12:35,36
Robbery forbidden
Lev 19:13/ Ex 20:15

27. Killing commanded
Ex 32:27
Killing forbidden
Ex 20:13

26. Hatred to the Edomite sanctioned
2 Kings 14:7,3
Hatred to the Edomite forbidden
Deut 23:7

28. The blood-shedder must die
Gen 9:5,6
The blood-shedder must not die
Gen 4:15

29. The making of images forbidden
Ex 20:4
The making of images commanded
Ex 25:18,20

69. The infant Christ was taken into Egypt
Matt 2:14,15,19,21,23
The infant Christ was not taken into Egypt
Luke 2:22, 39

111. Christ's mission was peace
Luke 2:13,14
Christ's mission was not peace
Matt 10:34

115. It was lawful for the Jews to put Christ to death
John 19:7
It was not lawful for the Jews to put Christ to death
John 18:31

143. All scripture is inspired
2 Tim 3:16
Some scripture is not inspired
1 Cor 7:6/ 1 Cor 7:12/ 2 Cor 11:17


FAUX CONTRADICTION (both are possible)

23. There is but one God
Deut 6:4
There is a plurality of gods
Gen 1:26/ Gen 3:22/ Gen 18:1-3/ 1 John 5:7

114. Christ laid down his life for his friends
John 15:13/ John 10:11
Christ laid down his life for his enemies
Rom 5:10

INTERPRETATIONAL INACCURACIES


2. God dwells in chosen temples
2 Chron 7:12,16
God dwells not in temples
Acts 7:48

3. God dwells in light
Tim 6:16
God dwells in darkness
1 Kings 8:12/ Ps 18:11/ Ps 97:2

6. God is everywhere present, sees and knows all things
Prov 15:3/ Ps 139:7-10/ Job 34:22,21
God is not everywhere present, neither sees nor knows all
things
Gen 11:5/ Gen 18:20,21/ Gen 3:8

7. God knows the hearts of men
Acts 1:24/ Ps 139:2,3
God tries men to find out what is in their heart
Deut 13:3/ Deut 8:2/ Gen 22:12

8. God is all powerful
Jer 32:27/ Matt 19:26
God is not all powerful
Judg 1:19

9. God is unchangeable
James 1:17/ Mal 3:6/ Ezek 24:14/ Num 23:19
God is changeable
Gen 6:6/ Jonah 3:10/ 1 Sam 2:30,31/ 2 Kings 20:1,4,5,6/
Ex 33:1,3,17,14

10. God is just and impartial
Ps 92:15/ Gen 18:25/ Deut 32:4/ Rom 2:11/ Ezek 18:25
God is unjust and partial
Gen 9:25/ Ex 20:5/ Rom 9:11-13/ Matt 13:12

15. God is cruel, unmerciful, destructive, and ferocious
Jer 13:14/ Deut 7:16/ 1 Sam 15:2,3/ 1 Sam 6:19
God is kind, merciful, and good
James 5:11/ Lam 3:33/ 1 Chron 16:34/ Ezek 18:32/ Ps 145:9/
1 Tim 2:4/ 1 John 4:16/ Ps 25:8

17. God commands, approves of, and delights in burnt offerings,
sacrifices ,and holy days
Ex 29:36/ Lev 23:27/ Ex 29:18/ Lev 1:9
God disapproves of and has no pleasure in burnt offerings,
sacrifices, and holy days.
Jer 7:22/ Jer 6:20/ Ps 50:13,4/ Is 1:13,11,12

19. God tempts men
Gen 22:1/ 2 Sam 24:1/ Jer 20:7/ Matt 6:13
God tempts no man
James 1:13

25. Lying approved and sanctioned
Josh 2:4-6/ James 2:25/ Ex 1:18-20/ 1 Kings 22:21,22
Lying forbidden
Ex 20:16/ Prov 12:22/ Rev 21:8

31. Improvidence enjoyed
Matt 6:28,31,34/ Luke 6:30,35/ Luke 12:3
Improvidence condemned
1 Tim 5:8/ Prov 13:22

32. Anger approved
Eph 4:26
Anger disapproved
Eccl 7:9/ Prov 22:24/ James 1:20

33. Good works to be seen of men
Matt 5:16
Good works not to be seen of men
Matt 6:1

34. Judging of others forbidden
Matt 7:1,2
Judging of others approved
1 Cor 6:2-4/ 1 Cor 5:12

35. Christ taught non-resistance
Matt 5:39/ Matt 26:52
Christ taught and practiced physical resistance
Luke 22:36/ John 2:15

36. Christ warned his followers not to fear being killed
Luke 12:4
Christ himself avoided the Jews for fear of being killed
John 7:1

37. Public prayer sanctioned
1 Kings 8:22,54, 9:3
Public prayer disapproved
Matt 6:5,6

38. Importunity in prayer commended
Luke 18:5,7
Importunity in prayer condemned
Matt 6:7,8

39. The wearing of long hair by men sanctioned
Judg 13:5/ Num 6:5
The wearing of long hair by men condemned
1 Cor 11:14

40. Circumcision instituted
Gen 17:10
Circumcision condemned
Gal 5:2

41. The Sabbath instituted
Ex 20:8
The Sabbath repudiated
Is 1:13/ Rom 14:5/ Col 2:16

42. The Sabbath instituted because God rested on the seventh day
Ex 20:11
The Sabbath instituted because God brought the Israelites
out of Egypt
Deut 5:15

43. No work to be done on the Sabbath under penalty of death
Ex 31:15/ Num 15:32,36
Jesus Christ broke the Sabbath and justified his disciples in
the same
John 5:16/ Matt 12:1-3,5

44. Baptism commanded
Matt 28:19
Baptism not commanded
1 Cor 1:17,14

45. Every kind of animal allowed for food.
Gen 9:3/ 1 Cor 10:25/ Rom 14:14
Certain kinds of animals prohibited for food.
Deut 14:7,8

46. Taking of oaths sanctioned
Num 30:2/ Gen 21:23-24,31/ Gen 31:53/ Heb 6:13
Taking of oaths forbidden
Matt 5:34

47. Marriage approved
Gen 2:18/ Gen 1:28/ Matt 19:5/ Heb 13:4
Marriage disapproved
1 Cor 7:1/ 1 Cor 7:7,8

48. Freedom of divorce permitted
Deut 24:1/ Deut 21:10,11,14
Divorce restricted
Matt 5:32

49. Adultery forbidden
Ex 20:14/ Heb 13:4
Adultery allowed
Num 31:18/ Hos 1:2; 2:1-3

50. Marriage or cohabitation with a sister denounced
Deut 27:22/ Lev 20:17
Abraham married his sister and God blessed the union
Gen 20:11,12/ Gen 17:16

51. A man may marry his brother's widow
Deut 25:5
A man may not marry his brother's widow
Lev 20:21

52. Hatred to kindred enjoined
Luke 14:26
Hatred to kindred condemned
Eph 6:2/ Eph 5:25,29

53. Intoxicating beverages recommended
Prov 31:6,7/ 1 Tim 5:23/ Ps 104:15
Intoxicating beverages discountenanced
Prov 20:1/ Prov 23:31,32

54. It is our duty to obey our rulers, who are God's ministers
and punish evil doers only
Rom 13:1-3,6
It is not our duty to obey rulers, who sometimes punish the
good and receive unto themselves damnation therefor
Ex 1:17,20/ Dan 3:16,18/ Dan 6:9,7,10/ Acts 4:26,27/
Mark 12:38,39,40/ Luke 23:11,24,33,35

55. Women's rights denied
Gen 3:16/ 1 Tim 2:12/ 1 Cor 14:34/ 1 Pet 3:6
Women's rights affirmed
Judg 4:4,14,15/ Judg 5:7/ Acts 2:18/ Acts 21:9

56. Obedience to masters enjoined
Col 3:22,23/ 1 Pet 2:18
Obedience due to God only
Matt 4:10/ 1 Cor 7:23/ Matt 23:10

57. There is an unpardonable sin
Mark 3:29
There is not unpardonable sin
Acts 13:39


108. Christ is equal with God
John 10:30/ Phil 2:5
Christ is not equal with God
John 14:28/ Matt 24:36

109. Jesus was all-powerful
Matt 28:18/ John 3:35
Jesus was not all-powerful
Mark 6:5


110. The law was superseded by the Christian dispensation
Luke 16:16/ Eph 2:15/ Rom 7:6
The law was not superseded by the Christian dispensation
Matt 5:17-19

113. Christ's witness of himself is true.
John 8:18,14
Christ's witness of himself is not true.
John 5:31

117. Man is justified by faith alone
Rom 3:20/ Gal 2:16/ Gal 3:11,12/ Rom 4:2
Man is not justified by faith alone
James 2:21,24/ Rom 2:13

118. It is impossible to fall from grace
John 10:28/ Rom 8:38,39
It is possible to fall from grace
Ezek 18:24/ Heb 6:4-6, 2 Pet 2:20,21

119. No man is without sin
1 Kings 8:46/ Prov 20:9/ Eccl 7:20/ Rom 3:10
Christians are sinless
1 John 3: 9,6,8

120. There is to be a resurrection of the dead
1 Cor 15:52/ Rev 20:12,13/ Luke 20:37/ 1 Cor 15:16
There is to be no resurrection of the dead
Job 7:9/ Eccl 9:5/ Is 26:14

121. Reward and punishment to be bestowed in this world
Prov 11:31
Reward and punishment to be bestowed in the next world
Rev 20:12/ Matt 16:27/ 2 Cor 5:10

122. Annihilation the portion of all mankind
Job 3: 11,13-17,19-22/ Eccl 9:5,10/ Eccl 3:19,20
Endless misery the portion of all mankind
Matt 25:46/ Rev 20:10,15/ Rev 14:11/ Dan 12:2


124. No evil shall happen to the godly
Prov 12:21/ 1 Pet 3:13
Evil does happen to the godly
Heb 12:6/ Job 2:3,7
125. Worldly good and prosperity are the lot of the godly
Prov 12:21/ Ps 37:28,32,33,37/ Ps 1:1,3/ Gen 39:2/
Job 42:12
Worldly misery and destitution the lot of the godly
Heb 11:37,38/ Rev 7:14/ 2 Tim 3:12/ Luke 21:17
126. Worldly prosperity a reward of righteousness and a blessing
Mark 10:29,30/ Ps 37:25/ Ps 112:1,3/ Job 22:23,24/
Prov 15:6
Worldly prosperity a curse and a bar to future reward
Luke 6:20,24/ Matt 6:19,21/ Luke 16:22/ Matt 19:24/
Luke 6:24

127. The Christian yoke is easy
Matt 11:28,29,30
The Christian yoke is not easy
John 16:33/ 2 Tim 3:12/ Heb 12:6,8

128. The fruit of God's spirit is love and gentleness
Gal 5:22
The fruit of God's spirit is vengeance and fury
Judg 15:14/ 1 Sam 18:10,11

129. Longevity enjoyed by the wicked
Job 21:7,8/ Ps 17:14/ Eccl 8:12/ Is 65:20
Longevity denied to the wicked
Eccl 8:13/ Ps 55:23/ Prov 10:27/ Job 36:14/ Eccl 7:17

130. Poverty a blessing
Luke 6:20,24/ Jams 2:5
Riches a blessing
Prov 10:15/ Job 22:23,24/ Job 42:12
Neither poverty nor riches a blessing
Prov 30:8,9

131. Wisdom a source of enjoyment
Prov 3:13,17
Wisdom a source of vexation, grief and sorrow
Eccl 1:17,18

132. A good name is a blessing
Eccl 7:1/ Prov 22:1
A good name is a curse
Luke 6:26

133. Laughter commended
Eccl 3:1,4/ Eccl 8:15
Laughter condemned
Luke 6:25/ Eccl 7:3,4

134. The rod of correction a remedy for foolishness
Prov 22:15
There is no remedy for foolishness
Prov 27:22

135. A fool should be answered according to his folly
Prov 26:5
A fool should not be answered according to his folly
Prov 26:4

136. Temptation to be desired
James 1:2
Temptation not to be desired
Matt 6:13

137. Prophecy is sure
2 Pet 1:19
Prophecy is not sure
Jer 18:7-10

138. Man's life was to be one hundred and twenty years
Gen 6:3/ Ps 90:10
Man's life is but seventy years
Ps 90:10

139. The fear of man was to be upon every beast
Gen 9:2
The fear of man is not upon the lion
Prov 30:30

140. Miracles a proof of divine mission
Matt 11:2-5/ John 3:2/ Ex 14:31
Miracles not a proof of divine mission
Ex 7:10-12/ Deut 13:1-3/ Luke 11:19

141. Moses was a very meek man
Num 12:3
Moses was a very cruel man
Num 31:15,17

142. Elijah went up to heaven
2 Kings 2:11
None but Christ ever ascended into heaven
John 3:13

LANGUAGE

5. God is tired and rests
Ex 31:17
God is never tired and never rests
Is 40:28

123. The Earth is to be destroyed
2 Pet 3:10/ Heb 1:11/ Rev 20:11
The Earth is never to be destroyed
Ps 104:5/ Eccl 1:4

Cont..../

[JehovahsWitness]

SOME BIBLICAL EXPLANATIONS

Although ALL of the contradictions fall into the above catagories, some See below



Source: https://www.merriam-webster.com/diction ... tradiction



CHILDREN & PUNISHMENT

116. Children are punished for the sins of the parents
Ex 20:5
Children are not punished for the sins of the parents
Ezek 18:20

Deuteronomy 24:16
The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin.

Isaiah 14:21
Make ready to slaughter his sons for the guilt of their fathers; Lest they rise and posses the earth, and fill the breadth of the world with tyrants.

Exodus 34: 7 God was“… bringing punishment for the error of fathers upon sons and upon grandsons upon the third generation and upon the fourth generation.�

Does this verse really indicate god is ready to execute innocent children for their father’s wrongdoing?

Firstly it should be noted that the bible is quite clear on the matter of culpability: "The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin" (Deut. 24:16; also see Ezekiel 18:20). But is this not in direct contradiction to Exodus 34? Whose sin then, would the children in this verse be executed for?

Looking at the verse closer, does is actually SAY that the children are “innocent�? Are the sons being punished for the sins committed by the father or for committing the SAME sins as the father?’

To illustrate. If my father was an alcoholic who frequently drove intoxicated and eventually killed a family of 3 while drink driving, and I also grew up to become an alcoholic; when I eventually kill a family of 4 with MY car, am I put in prison for my father’s crime (killing 3) or for my commiting “my father’s sins� (doing the same things my father did)? In other words if there was a list of sins, say: ‘drunk driving, wife beating and petty theft’ if I beat my wife while drunk driving to go and steal from my boss, I could quite clearly be punished for committing the “sins of my father�.

In the same way God’s righteousness is spoken of as being “to the sons of sons� (Psalm 103:17) that this presupposes each generation actively follows the good example previously set, Exodus 34 is really no different. While it may be likely that the “errors� of the fathers, are passed down and become the “errors of the sons�, it is not inevitable - see Ezekiel 18 :21) . Still, Exodus 34 is actually showing that if individuals repeat the ‘sins’ of their father’s they cannot expect anything other than to meet with the same punishment.


SLAVERY


30. Slavery and oppression ordained
Gen 9:25/ Lev 25:45,46/ Joel 3:8
Slavery and oppression forbidden
Is 58:6/ Ex 22:21/ Ex 21:16/ Matt 23:10

DOES THE BIBLE SUPPORT SLAVERY

The bible tolerated and in the case of Israel legislated for slavery - there is nowhere the bible says its a good thing and certainly nothing to indicate "support". Many man made institutions have existed that were less than ideal - God has realistically accepted that they will exist until he puts an end to all human stuctures and establishes a world of total justice.

I have read some posts on this subject and thought I'd write about this topic. Slavery under the Mosaic law was vastly different from that of the greeks and romans and later pacticed by modern nations like Britain and the United States.

In the Hebrew language, there is only one word for slave and servant indeed slavery for the jew was temporary servitude that allowed the native to get out of debt(After which he was released from all debt and regained this ancestral land). This practice protected people from starvation and actually allowed many to recover from poverty.

The law provided strict guidelines to protect slaves:

*They were not to work 7 days a week (ex 20: 10)
*Slaves were protected by the same rights regarding injury as any other citizen; a slave who was maimed by his master would be set free (whether the slave lost an eye or a tooth) (ex 20: 26)
*If a slave died because his master beat him, the master could be punished with death. (ex 21: 12)
*Kidnapping and selling a man carried the death penalty (Ex 20: 16). Slaves were to be freed during the Jubilee year.

The fact that some Israelite slaves chose to remain with their master when they were eligible for release is clear indication that slavery among God’s people was not abusive. (Deuteronomy 15:12-17)

*Jews were not allowed to have sex with their slaves.

*Once a female Jew has reached the age of puberty, her master must marry her, betroth her to his son, or set her free
*Women captives could become slaves. But they too were not to be used for mere sexual gratification. The slave girl, like the non slave Israelite girl, had the same rights in this regard; If a man wanted to have sex with his slave he had to, As Deuteronomy 21: 10 - 14 states in part take her as his "bride, and she must become your wife"

What rules regulated non-native slaves?

The conquering Isaelites always gave the nations the option of total surrender. Failing that, they were commanded to totally annialate the inhabitants from the land promised to them by God. Slavery was not therefore part of the given solution. On occassion however, minor children and/or young girls were spared. This in itself was unusual given the historical context where male children were more highly esteemed than female, and baby girls were sometimes left to die by exposure.

Once a part of the new nation they would enjoy the same basic rights and protections as any other citizen. However, since they had no independent inheritance, they would be viewed as a permanent part of their adopted household. Otherwise the same regulations regarding marriage, financial security and protection against brutality applied.

Jewish scholar Moses Mielziner stated that a “slave could never cease to be a man, he was looked upon as a person possessing certain natural human rights, with which the master even could not with impunity interfere.� It it thus a gross distortion of fact to attempt to compare slavery under the law to the abusive, demeaning slavery practiced by many societies throughout the ages.

Further reading
http://bibleapologetics.wordpress.com/s ... -bible-25/
http://blog.chess.com/TekWz/did-god-con ... lave-trade
Jewish Slavery in Antiquity
http://books.google.com/books?id=php6gZ ... &q&f=false



CAN YOU SEE GOD


4. God is seen and heard
Ex 33:23/ Ex 33:11/ Gen 3:9,10/ Gen 32:30/ Is 6:1/
Ex 24:9-11
God is invisible and cannot be heard
John 1:18/ John 5:37/ Ex 33:20/ 1 Tim 6:16

Did Moses see God's face? Not literally, no. In Exodus 33 verse 20 & 23 God says to Moses ".. “You are not able to see my face, because no man may see me and yet live.� "...[...] my face may not be seen.�(John 1: 18.). So in what sense did moses speak to god "face to face" Exodus 33:11 (Exodus 3: 16 Numbers 12: 7, 8?

Note that while the bible says: "GOD at once called to him [Moses] out of the midst of the thornbush" at the same time it says “JEHOVAH'S ANGEL appeared to him [...]in the midst of a thornbush" (Exodus 3: 2). So the bible sometimes refers to angels as being 'Jehovah' in the sense that they are his representatives**. The disciple Steven explains that "the Law as transmitted [to Moses] by angels.� and says "Moses was “with the angel that spoke to him on Mount Sinai.� (Acts 7:53).

To illustrate, we might read the headline "Obama offers olive Branch to Moscow" but in reality Secretary of State Clinton was the person that literally visited Moscow and spoke to Putaine. So why does it say Obama, when it was not Obama that went to Russia? Because Clinton REPRESENTS Obama and what she says is what the President wants her to say.

So, when Deuteronomy 34:10 speaks of “Moses, whom Jehovah knew face to face,� it did not mean that Moses saw Jehovah’s very own face or person and should not be taken literally. It is a figurative expression that he merely had personal audience with God (by means of angels).

* Concerning Moses seeing Jehovah's 'back' the account parrelles Jehovah's "back" with his "Glory". Luke 2:9, speaking on the occassion when Jesus was born : “... Jehovah’s angel stood by them [the shepherds], and Jehovah’s glory gleamed around them" so a manifestation of God's Magnificents and Power can be through angels and not literally seeing any part of Gods body or person.


"Face to face? (Ex 33:11)

The English expression "face to face" is translated from a Hebrew idiom; paniym (Heb "face"), means the presence and can be translated in a number of ways including
- presence, person
- before and behind, toward, in front of,
- forward, formerly, from beforetime, before

It does not have to literally refer to a face; the expression in Exodus, denotes intimate two-way conversation.

Even in english the we use the term "face" to refer to things OTHER than someone's literal face (face of the earth, to fall on your face, to have egg on your face, to face an issue, etc).

In depth information (Pdf file)
http://boldchristianliving.com/tapes/ou ... utline.pdf



Did Abraham see God? No, Just as with Moses, what Abraham saw was angels. Genesis 18: 1-3 reads "Afterward Jehovah appeared to him [Abraham] among the big trees of Mam´re, while he was sitting at the entrance of the tent about the heat of the day. 2 When he raised his eyes, then he looked and there three men were standing some distance from him. When he caught sight of them he began running to meet them from the entrance of the tent and proceeded to bow down to the earth. 3 Then he said: “Jehovah, if, now, I have found favor in your eyes, please do not pass by your servant. "

As verse 16 goes on to say "Later the men got up from there [....], and Abraham was walking with them to escort them..." (Also see Genesis 12:7; 17: 1 ; 26: 2)

Jacob also had angelic encounters where he recognised that the 'men' (materialized angels) represented God (compare Genesis 32 verses 24 and 29&30)


Essay
http://armedwithtruth.blogspot.com/2008 ... phesy.html


DOES GOD CAUSE EVIL?

20. God cannot lie
Heb 6:18
God lies by proxy; he sends forth lying spirits t deceive
2 Thes 2:11/ 1 Kings 22:23/ Ezek 14:9

Does God encourage lying? No, what he does is allow people to believe lies if they so chose.

"Jehovah God allows an operation of error to go to persons who prefer falsehood “that they may get to believing the lie� rather than the good news about Jesus Christ. (2Th 2:9-12) or as the Bible in Basic English says: "And for this cause, God will give them up to the power of deceit and they will put their faith in what is false..."

"This principle is illustrated by what happened centuries earlier in the case of Israelite King Ahab. Lying prophets assured Ahab of success in war against Ramoth-gilead, while Jehovah’s prophet Micaiah foretold disaster. As revealed in vision to Micaiah, Jehovah allowed a spirit creature to become “a deceptive spirit� in the mouth of Ahab’s prophets.

That is to say, this spirit creature exercised his power upon them so that they spoke, not truth, but what they themselves wanted to say and what Ahab wanted to hear from them. Though forewarned, Ahab preferred to be fooled by their lies and paid for it with his life.—1Ki 22:1-38;

SOURCE Bible Encyclopedia Insight on the Scriptures.

Is Paul justifying lying in Romans 3: 7? No.

Romans reads:"Yet if by reason of my lie the truth of God has been made more prominent to his glory, why am I also yet being judged as a sinner?"

Paul is not referring to a particular lie he told in the past, but to his imperfect human condition. Psalms 62 veres 9 says "Indeed the sons of earthling man are an exhalation/The sons of mankind are a lie/When laid upon the scales they are all together lighter than an exhalation."

A lie is saying something that is in fact, not true. Imperfect humans, who should, made in God's image, reflect his righteous standards, in fact fall short. That imperfection is "the lie" we all carry. It is this "lie" that, when contrasted with God's perfect truth, makes God's truth more "prominent" or clearer. Similar to a healthy man standing next to a sick on may say "my sickness makes his health stand out more clearly" or as Paul himself explained in the same chapter "our unrighteousness brings God’s righteousness to the fore". Our imperfect state, however, is no excuse to claim we should not be judged or that God is wrong to do so.


11. God is the author of evil
Lam 3:38/ Jer 18:11/ Is 45:7/ Amos 3:6/ Ezek 20:25
God is not the author of evil
1 Cor 14:33/ Deut 32:4/ James 1:13


The bible had never been proved historically inaccurate, in fact its accuracy has often been proved to be a guide to historians and archeologists. A lot of perceived inaccuracies are simply interpretational inaccuracies.


Historical Facts

WHO WAS JOSEPH'S FATHER

65. The father of Joseph, Mary's husband was Jacob
Matt 1:16
The father of Mary's husband was Heli
Luke 3:23

#QUESTION: Who was Joseph's father?

MAT 1:16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary[...].
LUK 3:23 [...] Joseph, which was the son of Heli.

Heli was the name of Joseph's father-in-law. Luke evidently lists Mary's father because he wants to trace the natural descent of Jesus’ through his MOTHER Mary (while Matthew gives Jesus’ legal lineage, through Joseph - Jesus adopted father).

It was not uncommon for the Hebrews to refer to a son-in-law as a son, and especially so in genealogical listings, thus Luke could properly refer to Joseph as t"he son of Heli"**, who was actually the father of Joseph’s wife, Mary

**NOTE: that Luke does not say that Heli "begat" Joseph as Matthew did

#QUESTION: Why does Luke omit Mary and list Joseph as “the son of Heli�?

The Cyclopædia, page 773, column 2 explains: “In constructing their genealogical tables, it is well known that the Jews reckoned wholly by males, rejecting where the blood of the grandfather passed to the grandson through a daughter, the name of the daughter herself, and counting that daughter’s husband for the son of the maternal grandfather (Numbers 26:33; 27:4-7).� In keeping with this rule, Joseph’s name would replace Mary’s in Luke’s account, even though the genealogy there was traced through Mary’s lineage.


HOW MANY GENERATIONS?

67. There were fourteen generations from Abraham to David
Matt 1:17
There were but thirteen generations from Abraham to David
Matt 1:2-6
68. There were fourteen generations from the Babylonian captivity
to Christ.
Matt 1:17
There were but thirteen generations from the Babylonian
captivity to Christ
Matt 1:12-16


# QUESTIONS: So how many generations 41 or 42?
Depends on how you count: By taking Abraham to David, 14 names, then using David as the starting name for the second 14, with Josiah as the last; finally, by heading the third series of 14 names with Jeconiah (Jehoiachin) and ending with Jesus.

Notice that Matthew repeats the name David as the last of the first 14 names and as the first of the next 14. Then he repeats the expression “the deportation to Babylon,� which he links with Josiah and his sons.—Mt 1:17."

SOURCE: Bible Encylopedia "Insight on the Scriptures"

WHEN DID CHRIST DIE?

76. Christ was crucified at the third hour
Mark 15:25
Christ was not crucified until the sixth hour
John 19:14,15

Some have pointed to what appears to be a discrepancy between the statement at Mark 15:25, which says Jesus was impaled at “the third hour,� (9am) but that at John indicates that by “about the sixth hour�(12 noon) Jesus’ final trial before Pilate was just ending.

Mark had said that the death sentence was passed (by Pilate) at about 9am and this seem logical since it would have taken some time for Jesus to arrive at the execution area and for the various events surrounding his actual death to have played out.

The synoptic Gospels clearly indicate that by the sixth hour, or 12 noon, Jesus had been hanging for some time.

According to Mark Jesus was dead by the "9th hour" which corresponds to 3 pm.

But John reads: "[...] it was about the sixth hour (12 noon). And he said to the Jews: “See! your king!� However, they shouted: “Take [him] away! Take [him] away! Impale him!� Pilate said to them: “Shall I impale your king?� The chief priests answered: “We have no king but Caesar.� At that time, therefore, he handed him over to them to be impaled. " (John chap 19: 14 - 16)

We cannot be sure what the signicance of 12 noon was; perhaps John’s reference to the hour was parenthetical referring to another event.

In any case, John had access to Mark’s account, and he certainly could have repeated the time stated by Mark. Therefore John must have had a reason for stating the hour differently from Mark, we just don't know what it is.

In any case Jesus was dead and his body taken down by three in the afternoon (9th hour) following the three hours of darkness (see Math 27: 45; Mark 15: 33)


WHO REVILED CHRIST?

77. The two thieves reviled Christ.
Matt 27:44/ Mark 15:32
Only one of the thieves reviled Christ
Luke 23:39,40

#QUESTION: How can we harmonize Matthew’s account that both thieves railed at Jesus with Luke’s that tells of one scoffing and the other defending Jesus? (Matt 27:41-44 reconciled to Luke 23:39-43)?

quotation: Watchtower October 1, 1950 page 6

A possible explanation would be that at the start both taunted Jesus, but that as time passed one of the thieves noted what was happening and observed how Jesus patiently endured injustice and cruelty. During these passing hours this thief might easily have changed his mind about Jesus, and, though scoffing at first, as Matthew notes, later championed Jesus, as Luke relates.


HOW DID JUDAS DIE?

79. Judas committed suicide by hanging
Matt 27:5
Judas did not hang himself, but died another way
Acts 1:18

How did Judas Iscariot die?

Matthew 27:5 says that Judas hanged himself. However, Acts 1:18 states: “Pitching head foremost he noisily burst in his midst and all his intestines were poured out.� Whereas Matthew appears to deal with the mode of the attempted suicide of Judas, Acts describes the results.

Viewed together, it appears from the two accounts that Judas tried to hang himself over some cliff, but either the rope or the tree limb broke so that he plunged downward and burst open on the rocks below. Such a possibility is certainly conceivable, in view of the topography around Jerusalem.

What did Judas do with the money?

Some have asked did Judas use the betrayal money to buy a field (Acts 1:18.) or did he throw it in the temple (Matthew 27:5)? The answer is: Both. Judas gave the money back to the chief priests and they used it to buy the field; since Judas provided the money, it could be credited to him.

According the book 'The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah' 1906, Vol. II, p. 575 Dr. A. Edersheim comment: "It was not lawful to take into the Temple-treasury, for the purchase of sacred things, money that had been unlawfully gained. In such cases the Jewish Law provided that the money was to be restored to the donor, and, if he insisted on giving it, that he should be induced to spend it for something for the public [well-being]. . . . By a fiction of law the money was still considered to be Judas’, and to have been applied by him in the purchase of the well-known ‘potter’s field.’� - -

This is reflected in the choice of words used. Note the word Luke (also the author of Acts) uses in Acts 1:18 "ktaomai", which means to "get, acquire, obtain, possess, provide, purchase." (as opposed to another word "agorazo": to buy); This word has the connotations of ownership that agorazo does not. Matthew says that the priests transacted business for the obtaining of the field, they did not thereby have possession of the field. The money they used was Judas' and the field was bought in his name; the field was technically and legally his.

THE RESURRECTION ACCOUNT

81. There was but one woman who came to the sepulchre
John 20:1
There were two women who came to the sepulchre
Matt 28:1
82. There were three women who came to the sepulchre
Mark 16:1
There were more than three women who came to the sepulchre
Luke 24:10
83. It was at sunrise when they came to the sepulchre
Mark 16:2
It was some time before sunrise when they came.
John 20:1


#QUESTION: WAS IT DARK WHEN THE WOMEN ARRIVED AT THE TOMB?
Matthew 28:1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. (KJV)

Mark 16:2 And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. (KJV)

Luke 24:1 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. (KJV)

John 20:1 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. (KJV)

They evidently the women set off in the dark (just before dawn) and arrived as day was breaking.


====================================================

The Events in chronological order

#The women started out just before dawn (Sunday morning) and got there as the sun was rising (they being all the women although Mary played a leading role)

#They to the tomb to finish what had been hurredly done before the sabbath


84. There were two angels seen by the women at the sepulchre, and
they were standing up.
Luke 24:4
There was but one angel seen, and he was sitting down.
Matt 28:2,5
85. There were two angels seen within the sepulchre.
John 20:11,12
There was but one angel seen within the sepulchre
Mark 16:5

#when they arrive the tomb had been opened by an angel (sitting on the rock)

#(eventually) a second angel appears making a total of two angels (that looked like men). Since angels (like humans) are capable of movement, they were not attached or glued to their intial locations.


#Mary dashed of to get Peter and John when they'd found the tomb empty leaving behind the other women.

# Thus when the women 'the encouter the angel at the entrance' (2nd angel) Mary is not with them. The angels tell the women of the ressurection. On their way to deliver this message, it is these women (not including Mary) who meet Jesus himself(28:8 .).

# When Mary gets back with Peter and John they encounter the two angels/men (now inside the tomb) but while the men leave perplexed Mary stays behind alone weeping. She's questioned by a third man who she mistakes for the gardener. This is when she first see the ressurected Jesus.

# Jesus never tells Mary he 'cannot be touched' but he does tell this hysterically happy woman clinging to him no doubt like a limpet, that she'll have to let him go; he cannot stay with her. He has people to see and things to do, notabley ascend to his Father in heaven.


88. The disciples were commanded immediately after the
resurrection to go into Galilee
Matt 28:10
The disciples were commanded immediately after the
resurrection to go tarry at Jerusalem
Luke 24:49
89. Jesus first appeared to the eleven disciples in a room at
Jerusalem
Luke 24:33,36,37/ John 20:19
Jesus first appeared to the eleven on a mountain in Galilee
Matt 28:16,17
90. Christ ascended from Mount Olivet
Acts 1:9,12
Christ ascended from Bethany
Luke 24:50,51

# After appearing on sunday morning to the women (1) and Mary (2) (who nobody believes anyway) Jesus appears to various individuals:

* Peter: sunday early afternoon(Luke 24: 3) evidently the first of the men (3) and the one that has enough clout to convince everyone (or nearly everyone, more later)
* cleopas & his companion (late sunday afternoon)(4)
* the apostles (minus thomas) sunday evening (5)
* 8 days later, "the twelve"* including thomas this time (6)

and on various other occassions before his ascended to heaven, some (like thomas) doubt but are eventually convinced (Math 28: 16).

# "they" (referring to the disciples - male and female) did not intially publically declare the ressurectiont to non-believers until instructed to do so more than a month later.

#At some point during the month or so jesus is present on earth, he arranges to meet the 11 on a specific mountain location in Galilee.

#Word gets out and instead of 11 upward of 500 disciples turn up. Assures them of his authority and tells them of their commission to spread the word. He promises them he will always watch over them.

#His final meeting is private with the 11 alone just outside bethany (not far from Jerusalem) on the mount of olives.

# Jesus tells them to stay in the capital and wait for the holy spirit. It arrives 10 days later. Enthused they set to work proclaiming the good news as instructed back up in Galilee.

# And the rest, as they say, is history.

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WHO KILLED GOLIATH?

98. Goliath was slain by Elhanan
2 Sam 21:19 *note, was changed in translation to be
correct. Original manuscript was incorrect>
The brother of Goliath was slain by Elhanan
1 Chron 20:5

2 Samuel 21:19 says Elhanan struck down Goliath while other passages say it was David (son of Jesse).

However, many scholars think that the original reading of 2 Samuel 21:19 which reads

"and Elhanan the son of Jaareoregim the Beth´le·hem·ite got to strike down Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like the beam of loom workers."

actually corresponded to 1 Chronicles 20:5 which reads

"... and Elhanan the son of Jair got to strike down Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite shaft of whose spear was like the beam of loom workers."

... the differences in the two texts having arisen through scribal error


HOW OLD WAS AHAZIAH?

99. Ahaziah began to reign in the twelfth year of Joram
2 Kings 8:25
Ahaziah began to reign in the eleventh year of Joram
2 Kings 9:29

#Was Ahaziah 22 or 42 when he began reigning?

Some bible translations render the following verses:

2 Kings 8:26 "Two and twenty years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign..."

2 Chronicles 22:2 "Forty and two years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign..."


The discrepency in ages is due to a copyist error. We can see that the difference in ages is 20 years. The system of number notation used by the Jews at the time of Ezra consisted of horizontal hooks that represented decades. would equal the number 14 where would be 24. If one or both of the hooks were smudged or flaked off of a papyri, then the dates would be off by ten years or a factor of ten.

Wesley's Notes

22:2 Forty two years - Some acknowledge an error in the transcribers of the present Hebrew copies, in which language the numeral letters for 22 and 42 are so like, that they might easily be mistaken. For that it was read 22 here, as it is in the book of Kings [...].

Source
http://www.christiancourier.com/article ... aziahs-age
http://bible.cc/2_chronicles/22-2.htm

WHO TEMPTED DAVID?

101. David was tempted by the Lord to number Israel
2 Sam 24:1
David was tempted by Satan to number the people
1 Chron 21:1

In 2 Samuel 24, it says that The Lord made David take a census. while 1 Chronicles 21, it says that Satan provoked David to take a census of Israel.

The account actually in hebrew employes the passive form for "incite" reading: "And again the anger of Jehovah came to be hot against Israel, when ONE INCITED David against them, saying: 'go, take a count of Israel and Judah 'the one' who did the inciting is not there identified.

Chronicles 21:1 identifies that "one" saying: “Satan proceeded to stand up against Israel and to incite David to number Israel."

A footnote at 1 Chronicles 21:1 points out, the Hebrew word sa·tan′ can also be rendered "a resister". Byington translates it "a satan"; Young’s translation reads, "ab adversary". So it is possible that the "one" moving David to decide on the calamitous course was a bad human counselor.

=====================================>

An alternative understanding is that the 'one' is indeed God and that His ‘anger against Israel,’ predating the actual census and was due to their recent rebellion under Absalom and Sheba. (2Sa 15:10-12; 20:1, 2) and Satan or some bad human counselor incited David while God purposely allowed it, by removing his protection or restraining hand in order to punish the nation for their faithlessness.

http://nephesh-chaiyah.blogspot.com/200 ... ensus.html

HOW MANY YEARS OF FAMINE?

104. One of the penalties of David's sin was seven years of
famine.
2 Sam 24:13
It was not seven years, but three years of famine
1 Chron 21:11,12

1 Chronicles 21:12 - three years of famine
2 samuel 24:13 - seven years of famine

Although the difference may have been due to a copyist’s error, there is also the possibility that the seven years referred to at Second Samuel included the 3 years incurred by the Gibeonite Case. The year of Gads pronouncement - following the 9 month registration - would be the fourth, and three subsequent years would make a total of seven. (Sa 24:8; 2Sa 21:1, 2)

The Greek Septuagint reads “three� in the Samuel account.


105. David took seven hundred horsemen
2 Sam 8:4
David took seven thousand horsemen
1 Chron 18:4

HOW MANY HORSEMAN

106. David bought a threshing floor for fifty shekels of silver
2 Sam 24:24
David bought the threshing floor for six hundred shekels of
gold
1 Chron 21:25

The difference in the number of Syrian charioteers killed in battle is usually attributed to scribal error, the lower figure of 700 charioteers being considered the correct one

Further reading
http://www.tektonics.org/af/davidnumbers.html
*1 Chron 1:18 -unrelated



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Please consult the following website(s) for comprehensive answers to the following questions

http://www.getphpbb.com/phpbb/viewforum ... &mforum=jw
http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.co ... index.html
http://www.tektonics.org/af/davidnumbers.html



63. There died of the plague twenty-four thousand
Num 25:9
There died of the plague but twenty-three thousand
1 Cor 10:8

66. The father of Salah was Arphaxad
Gen 11:12
The father of Salah was Cainan
Luke 3:35,36

75. Two blind men besought Jesus
Matt 20:30
Only one blind man besought Him
Luke 18:35,38

80. The potter's field was purchased by Judas
Acts 1:18
The potter's field was purchased by the Chief Priests
Matt 27:6,7

86. Christ was to be three days and three nights in the grave
Matt 12:40
Christ was but two days and two nights in the grave
Mark 15:25,42,44,45,46; 16:9>

91. Paul's attendants heard the miraculous voice, and stood
speechless
Acts 9:7
Paul's attendants heard not the voice and were prostrate
Acts 26:14

100. Michal had no child
2 Sam 6:23
Michal had five children
2 Sam 21:8


102. The number of fighting men of Israel was 800,000; and of
Judah 500,000
2 Sam 24:9
The number of fighting men of Israel was 1,100,000; and of
Judah 470,000
1 Chron 21:5