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Understanding the Nature of Alleged Contradictions

The charge that the Bible contradicts itself is a frequent refrain among skeptics. However, it’s critical to clarify what we mean by a “contradiction.” A genuine contradiction occurs when two statements cannot both be true in the same sense at the same time. This definition already excludes many alleged discrepancies found in the Bible, as we’ll see.

Contextual Interpretation: Resolving So-Called Contradictions

Many supposed contradictions are easily resolved by considering the context in which the statements appear. For example, one of the Ten Commandments states, “You shall not kill” (Exodus 20:13, UASV), but elsewhere, the Israelites are commanded to go to war (Deuteronomy 20:1). Is this a contradiction? Not when the context is considered. The commandment in Exodus refers to unlawful killing, like murder, whereas the command to go to war is a judicial action sanctioned by God. Therefore, these are not contradictory commands but refer to different kinds of killing distinguished by their moral and legal contexts.

Genre Considerations: Historical Narrative vs. Poetry

Understanding the genre of a particular biblical text can also help resolve alleged contradictions. The Bible consists of various literary styles, including historical narrative, poetry, and apocalyptic literature. A reading of a poetic book like Psalms should not be equated with a historical account in a book like Kings. For instance, Psalm 113:3 says, “From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of Jehovah is to be praised!” This is poetic language and should not be used to counter scientific knowledge about the Earth’s rotation around the sun.

Harmonizing Accounts: Multiple Perspectives

Certain events in the Bible are described from multiple perspectives. A classic example is the differing accounts of Judas Iscariot’s death in Matthew 27:3–8 and Acts 1:18–19. Matthew indicates that Judas hanged himself, while Acts states that he fell headlong, and his body burst open. These accounts can be harmonized by considering that Judas initially hanged himself, but later, perhaps due to decay or the rope breaking, he fell and his body burst open upon impact. Multiple perspectives don’t necessarily indicate contradictions but can provide a fuller picture of the event in question.

Translation and Manuscript Issues: The Importance of Original Languages

Alleged contradictions sometimes arise due to variations in translations or manuscript discrepancies. Understanding the original Hebrew and Greek languages can often clarify these issues. For example, the command to “Answer not a fool according to his folly” (Proverbs 26:4, UASV) is followed by “Answer a fool according to his folly” (Proverbs 26:5, UASV). A contradiction? Not when understood in the original language and context, which conveys that the manner and occasion of the response may vary. The purpose of both verses is to impart wisdom for dealing with foolish individuals, and the seeming contradiction is intentional to provoke thoughtful consideration of how to handle such situations.

Presuppositions and Objectivity: Evaluating the Critic’s Approach

One must also consider the presuppositions of the one alleging contradictions. Critics often approach the Bible with a naturalistic worldview, automatically discounting anything supernatural. They label miracles as contradictions because they don’t fit within their framework. However, if one admits the possibility of a supernatural God, then accounts of miracles are not only possible but expected.

The Unity of Scriptural Truth

In summary, allegations that the Bible contradicts itself often disintegrate under scrutiny. Understanding the context, considering the genre, harmonizing multiple accounts, reverting to original languages, and questioning the presuppositions of the critic all serve as effective strategies to defend the Bible’s integrity. The Bible, written over 1,600 years by about 40 different authors, exhibits a remarkable internal consistency that attests to its divine origin. Therefore, when someone says, “The Bible contradicts itself,” this can usually be traced back to misunderstandings or misinterpretations, not to any fault in the Scriptures themselves.

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).