{"id":310,"date":"2010-03-02T15:32:33","date_gmt":"2010-03-02T20:32:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jkitchen.org\/?p=310"},"modified":"2013-06-26T11:29:19","modified_gmt":"2013-06-26T15:29:19","slug":"dealing-with-apparent-contradictions-part-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jkitchen.org\/?p=310","title":{"rendered":"Dealing With Apparent Contradictions (Part 1)"},"content":{"rendered":"

We have all faced it \u2013 someone with whom we are sharing the good news of Christ says, \u201cI don\u2019t believe the Bible!\u00a0 It is so full of contradictions!\u201d<\/p>\n

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That can easily take the wind from our sails.\u00a0 How does one answer a person who claims that the Bible is full of contradictions?\u00a0 Perhaps even more difficult than the objections of another person is the nagging doubt created within our own hearts when we read two passages of Scripture that appear to be beyond reconciliation.\u00a0 Too often we shake off the question and bury it under a resolve to return at a later time to study it more thoroughly.\u00a0 Unfortunately we often never return to the matter, perhaps because we are uncertain how to approach such a study.<\/p>\n

In the series of posts to will follow it is my intention to present principles that will guide the student of the Bible into how to handle apparent contradictions in Scripture.\u00a0 I say \u201capparent\u201d because I come to this study with the conviction that the Scriptures are the infallible, inerrant Word of God.\u00a0 The Scriptures are incapable of teaching error or deception; they are not liable to be proven false or mistaken.\u00a0 They very words of God are breathed out by God, individually and in their entirety (2 Timothy 3:16-17).<\/p>\n

This stand may open me to accusations of bringing presuppositions to my study.\u00a0 To this charge I answer, \u201cYou are right.\u00a0 I do bring presuppositions to this study.\u00a0 But so does the person who claims the Bible is full of errors.\u201d\u00a0 The ultimate question is, after drawing from a thorough study of the Biblical texts and having been guided by sound principles of interpretation, what does the burden of proof tell us?\u00a0 We must also recognize that our study is not simply a scientific and factual pursuit.\u00a0 Ours is also a philosophical and moral quest.<\/p>\n

It is philosophical because we must answer larger questions such as:\u00a0 Are miracles possible?\u00a0 Does God exist?\u00a0 Is the Spirit capable of breathing forth the very words of God?<\/em><\/p>\n

It is also a moral quest because our will enters the picture long before we would like to suppose.\u00a0 Jesus said, \u201cIf any man is willing to do His will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or whether I speak from myself\u201d (John 7:17).\u00a0 Ultimately my knowledge of the Divine intent of Scripture depends upon my prior willingness to bow submissively to whatever God may say there.\u00a0 Am I willing to do whatever God tells me to do?\u00a0 That is the first question that must be answered in all Bible study.<\/p>\n

How, then, can we approach what appear to be contradictory statements within Scripture?\u00a0 Consider the principles that I will present in the posts to follow.\u00a0 Not all apply to every question we wrestle with, but thorough mastery of them all will aid us in choosing which principles do apply to our specific questions.<\/p>\n

In the meantime, let me say that I didn’t dream these things up on my own.\u00a0 The following resources have helped me formulate these principles I’ll set forth.\u00a0 You’ll find them helpful as well.<\/p>\n