Monday, February 15, 2021

Alleged Bible Contradictions

When I was a child, it seemed like it was unbelievers who came up with alleged contradictions and the Christians tried to answer them. Now it seems we often have Christians coming up with them to use against other Christians with whom they don’t agree. How do you deal with alleged contradictions in the Bible?

I found the following explanation useful, here abridged from Bible Answers:
Some people will hear replies from Christians explaining alleged contradictions, and then say they do not find the explanation convincing.

There are plausible explanations for every alleged contradiction in the Bible. That there is a plausible explanation for an alleged contradiction does not mean that it is definitely the correct explanation for the alleged contradiction. However, as long as a possible explanation has been suggested, then it has been objectively demonstrated that there is no necessary contradiction regarding the Bible verses and passages brought up.

When people like say that they do not find a particular explanation for a contradiction “convincing,” that is merely their opinion. A plausible explanation has been suggested that eliminates the necessary alleged contradiction. That they simply do not like it is not at all a relevant argument against the explanation.
I think some people are not interested in the truth, but are just trying to find fault with the Bible. Most of those will not be satisfied with any explanation, however well made. However, there are sincere seekers of truth who find themselves confused by certain things in the Bible, and they desire and deserve honest answers.

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