By Jim Meritt
The Bible is riddled with repetitions and contradictions, things that the Bible bangers would be quick to point out in anything that they want to criticize. For instance, Genesis 1 and 2 disagree about the order in which things are created, and how satisfied God is about the results of his labors. The flood story is really two interwoven stories that contradict each other on how many of each kind of animal are to be brought into the Ark — is it one pair each or seven pairs each of the "clean" ones? The Gospel of John disagrees with the other three Gospels on the activities of Jesus Christ (how long had he stayed in Jerusalem — a couple of days or a whole year?) and all four Gospels contradict each other on the details of Jesus Christ's last moments and resurrection. The Gospels of Matthew and Luke contradict each other on the genealogy of Jesus Christ's father; though both agree that Joseph was not his real father. Repetitions and contradictions are understandable for a hodgepodge collection of documents, but not for some carefully constructed treatise, reflecting a well-thought-out plan.
Of the various methods I've seen to "explain" these:
- "That is to be taken metaphorically" — In other words, what is written is not what is meant. I find this entertaining, especially for those who decide what ISN'T to be taken as other than the absolute WORD OF GOD — which just happens to agree with the particular thing they happen to want.
- "There was more there than…" — This is used when one verse says "there was a" and another says "there was b", so they decide there was "a" AND "b" — which is said nowhere. This makes them happy, since it doesn't say there WASN'T "a+b". But it doesn't say there was "a+b+little green Martians". This is often the same crowd that insists theirs is the ONLY possible interpretation (i.e. only "a") and the only way.
- "It has to be understood in context" — I find this amusing because it comes from the same crowd that likes to push likewise extracted verses that support their particular view. Often it is just one of the verses in the contradictory set that is supposed to be taken as THE TRUTH when if you add more to it, it suddenly becomes "out of context".
- "There was just a copying/writing error" — This is sometimes called a "transcription error", as in where one number was meant and an incorrect one was copied down. And that's right — I'm not disagreeing with events, I'm disagreeing with what is WRITTEN. Which is apparently agreed that it is incorrect.
- "That is a miracle" — Naturally. That is why it is stated as fact.
- "God works in mysterious ways" — A useful dodge when the speaker doesn't understand the conflict between what the Bible SAYS and what they WISH it said.
The Contradictions
God good to all, or just a few?
God's NatureThe LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.
Psalm 145:9And I will dash them one against another, even the fathers and the sons together, saith the LORD: I will not pity, nor spare, nor have mercy, but destroy them.
Jeremiah 13:14War or Peace?
God's NatureThe LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.
Exodus 15:3Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
Romans 15:33Who is the father of Joseph?
JesusAnd Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
Matthew 1:16And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli.
Luke 3:23Who was at the Empty Tomb?
JesusIn 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.
Matthew 28:1And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.
Mark 16:1The 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.
John 20:1Is Jesus equal to or lesser than God?
JesusI and my Father are one.
John 10:30Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.
John 14:28Which first — beasts or man?
Creation & NatureAnd God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind… And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.
Genesis 1:25-26And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them.
Genesis 2:18-19The number of beasts in the ark
Creation & NatureOf every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female.
Genesis 7:2Of clean beasts, and of beasts that are not clean, and of fowls, and of every thing that creepeth upon the earth. There went in two and two unto Noah into the ark, the male and the female.
Genesis 7:8-9How many stalls and horsemen?
Numbers & DetailsAnd Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen.
1 Kings 4:26And Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen.
2 Chronicles 9:25Is it folly to be wise or not?
God's NatureWisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
Proverbs 4:7For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.
Ecclesiastes 1:18For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
1 Corinthians 1:19Human vs. ghostly impregnation
JesusTherefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne.
Acts 2:30Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
Matthew 1:18The sins of the father
Law & CommandmentsPrepare slaughter for his children for the iniquity of their fathers; that they do not rise, nor possess the land.
Isaiah 14:21The 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.
Deuteronomy 24:16The bat is not a bird
Creation & NatureAnd the stork, the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat.
Leviticus 11:13-19And the stork, and the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat.
Deuteronomy 14:11-18Rabbits do not chew their cud
Creation & NatureAnd the hare, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.
Leviticus 11:6Rabbits do not bring up anything; they let it go all the way through, then eat it again. The description given in Leviticus is inaccurate.
Leviticus 11:6Insects do NOT have four feet
Creation & NatureYet these may ye eat of every flying creeping thing that goeth upon all four, which have legs above their feet, to leap withal upon the earth.
Leviticus 11:21-23Snails do not melt
Creation & NatureAs a snail which melteth, let every one of them pass away: like the untimely birth of a woman, that they may not see the sun.
Psalm 58:8Fowl from waters or ground?
Creation & NatureAnd God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind.
Genesis 1:20-21And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them.
Genesis 2:19The shape of the earth
Creation & NatureIt is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers.
Isaiah 40:22Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them.
Matthew 4:8Snakes do not eat dirt
Creation & NatureAnd the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life.
Genesis 3:14Earth supported?
Creation & NatureHe stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing.
Job 26:7Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.
Job 38:4The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at his reproof.
Job 26:11The hydrological cycle
Creation & NatureAll the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again.
Ecclesiastes 1:7Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? Or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail?
Job 38:22How satisfied with creation was he?
Creation & NatureGod says "it was good" after each of his labors, and rests on the seventh day, evidently very satisfied.
Genesis 1God has to fix up his creation as he goes, and he would certainly not be very satisfied with the disobedience of that primordial couple.
Genesis 2Moses' personality
Law & Commandments"Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth."
Numbers 12:3"And Moses was wroth… Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman… But all the women children keep alive for yourselves."
Numbers 31:14-18Righteous live?
God's Nature"The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree."
Psalm 92:12"The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart."
Isaiah 57:1How did Judas die?
Jesus"And he (Judas) cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself."
Matthew 27:5-7"Now this man (Judas) purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out."
Acts 1:18Jesus' first sermon — plain or mount?
Jesus"And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying…"
Matthew 5:1-2"And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people… came to hear him… And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples and said…"
Luke 6:17, 20Jesus' last words
Jesus"My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"
Matthew 27:46"Father, unto thy hands I commend my spirit."
Luke 23:46"It is finished."
John 19:30Years of famine
Numbers & DetailsShall SEVEN YEARS OF FAMINE come unto thee in thy land?
2 Samuel 24:13Either THREE YEARS OF FAMINE…
1 Chronicles 21:11-12Moved David to anger?
God's NatureAnd again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah.
2 Samuel 24And SATAN stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.
1 Chronicles 21The Genealogy of Jesus?
JesusMatthew traces Jesus' lineage from Abraham (verse 2) all the way down to Jesus.
Matthew 1:6-16Luke traces it from Jesus all the way back to Adam. The only common name to these two lists between David and Jesus is JOSEPH.
Luke 3:23-31God be seen?
God's Nature"And the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaketh to a friend." "For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved."
Exodus 33:11, Genesis 32:30"No man hath seen God at any time." "And he said, Thou canst not see my face; for there shall no man see me and live."
John 1:18, Exodus 33:20Cruel, unmerciful, destructive, and ferocious or kind, merciful, and good?
God's Nature"I will not pity, nor spare, nor have mercy, but destroy." "Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not, but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling."
Jeremiah 13:14, 1 Samuel 15:3"The Lord is very pitiful and of tender mercy." "For his mercy endureth forever." "God is love."
James 5:11, 1 Chronicles 16:34, 1 John 4:16Tempts?
God's Nature"And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham."
Genesis 22:1"Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man."
James 1:13Ascend to heaven
Jesus"And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven."
2 Kings 2:11"No man hath ascended up to heaven but he that came down from heaven, … the Son of Man."
John 3:13What was Jesus' prediction regarding Peter's denial?
JesusBefore the cock crow.
Matthew 26:34Before the cock crow twice.
Mark 14:30How many times did the cock crow?
JesusAnd the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.
Mark 14:72Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.
Matthew 26:74-75Who killed Saul?
Numbers & DetailsTherefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it… So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armourbearer, and all his men.
1 Samuel 31:4-6And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, and fall upon him. And he smote him that he died.
2 Samuel 1:15How many beatitudes in the Sermon on the Mount?
Numbers & Details9 beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-11)
Matthew 5:3-114 beatitudes (Luke 6:20-23)
Luke 6:20-23Does every man sin?
Law & Commandments"There is no man that sinneth not." "For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not."
1 Kings 8:46, Ecclesiastes 7:20"Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God."
1 John 3:9Who bought the potter's field?
JesusNow this man (Judas) purchased a field with the reward of iniquity.
Acts 1:18-19And the chief priests took the silver pieces… And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field.
Matthew 27:6-8Who prophesied the potter's field?
ProphecyMatthew 27:9-10 mentions Jeremy (Jeremiah) but there is no such verse in Jeremiah.
Matthew 27:9-10The actual verse is in Zechariah.
Zechariah 11:12-13Who bears guilt?
Law & CommandmentsBear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2For every man shall bear his own burden.
Galatians 6:5Do you answer a fool?
WisdomAnswer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
Proverbs 26:4Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
Proverbs 26:5How many children did Michael, the daughter of Saul, have?
Numbers & DetailsTherefore Michael the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death.
2 Samuel 6:23And the five sons of Michael the daughter of Saul, whom she brought up for Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite.
2 Samuel 21:8How old was Jehoiachin when he began to reign?
Numbers & DetailsJehoiachin was eighteen years old when he began to reign.
2 Kings 24:8Jehoiachin was eight years old when he began to reign.
2 Chronicles 36:9Marriage?
Law & Commandments"Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD."
Proverbs 18:221 Corinthians 7 whole chapter — see verses 1, 2, 27, 39, 40 — advises against marriage.
1 Corinthians 7Did those with Saul/Paul at his conversion hear a voice?
JesusAnd the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
Acts 9:7And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spoke to me.
Acts 22:9For or against?
Law & CommandmentsHe that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.
Matthew 12:30For he that is not against us is on our part.
Mark 9:40Whom did they see at the tomb?
JesusAnd the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye.
Matthew 28:2-5And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side.
Mark 16:5And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments.
Luke 24:4And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
John 20:12God change?
God's Nature"For I am the LORD, I change not."
Malachi 3:6"And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do."
Jonah 3:10When second coming?
ProphecyVerily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
Matthew 24:34, Mark 13:30, Luke 21:321 Thessalonians 4:15-18 — "We which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord."
1 Thessalonians 4:15-18Solomon's overseers
Numbers & Details550 overseers.
1 Kings 9:23250 overseers.
2 Chronicles 8:10The mother of Abijah
Numbers & DetailsMaachah the daughter of Absalom.
2 Chronicles 11:20Michaiah the daughter of Uriel.
2 Chronicles 13:2When did Baasha die?
Numbers & Details26th year of the reign of Asa.
1 Kings 16:6-836th year of the reign of Asa.
2 Chronicles 16:1How old was Ahaziah when he began to reign?
Numbers & Details22.
2 Kings 8:2642.
2 Chronicles 22:2Who was Josiah's successor?
Numbers & DetailsJehoahaz.
2 Chronicles 36:1Shallum.
Jeremiah 22:11What was the color of the robe placed on Jesus?
JesusScarlet.
Matthew 27:28Purple.
John 19:2What did they give him to drink?
JesusVinegar.
Matthew 27:34Wine with myrrh.
Mark 15:23How long was Jesus in the tomb?
Jesus"Three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."
Matthew 12:40"After three days he will rise again."
Mark 10:34References
- Self-Contradictions of the Bible — William Henry Burr (ISBN 0-87975-416-8)
- The "Holy Scriptures" Analyzed — Robert Cooper
- The Bible Handbook — W.P. Ball, G.W. Foote, John Bowden
- The x-rated Bible — Ben Edward Akerley (American Atheist Press, 1985)