Contradictions in the Bible? – Kevin Epps lifehopeandtruth.com

The belief in the inerrancy of the Bible asserts that the Scriptures, as originally written, are perfect and free from mistakes. Three foundational scriptures emphasize this belief:

2 Peter 1:20-21: Prophecy is not subject to private interpretation but comes from holy men moved by the Holy Spirit.
2 Timothy 3:16: All Scripture is given by inspiration of God.
John 10:35: Scripture cannot be broken.

Despite these affirmations, a surprising poll among clergymen showed high percentages of doubt in the inerrancy of the Bible, highlighting a concerning trend.

Examining apparent contradictions in the Bible, skeptics often point to conflicting creation orders in Genesis. However, a careful analysis of Genesis 1 and 2 reveals a complementary narrative focused on different aspects, dispelling the notion of contradiction.

Proverbs 26:4-5 seemingly offers contradictory advice on responding to fools. However, discernment is needed to understand the context and apply the appropriate response.

The genealogies of Christ in Matthew and Luke appear to differ, especially regarding Joseph’s lineage. A nuanced reading suggests that Luke provides Mary’s genealogy, ensuring an unbroken line of descent from David.

The timing of Jesus’ crucifixion is another point of contention. Mark and John seemingly present conflicting hours. A historical understanding of time reckoning eliminates the contradiction, demonstrating that John likely used the Roman time scale.

Lastly, the purchase and preparation of spices by women around Christ’s burial give rise to confusion. A deeper look reveals two Sabbaths in the week of Christ’s death, explaining the sequence of events.

The Bible consistently asserts its own reliability, and many alleged contradictions can be resolved through careful examination. As Gleason L. Archer notes, the trustworthiness of Scripture has been repeatedly verified by addressing challenges through the biblical text or objective archaeological information. This underscores the conviction that the Bible, in its original form, is without error or contradiction.