Are There Contradictions in the Bible?

Hey, Calvary Youth. Pastor Keegan here. I wanted to connect with you because we had a student who submitted a question on the Calvary Youth page. The question is: “Are there contradictions in the Bible? And how do I respond to critics about that?”

What a great question! There are countless pages on the Internet that talk about alleged contradictions in the Bible. Some people claim, “I don’t believe in the Bible because it’s just a book written by men. It’s ancient and out of date.” So, how do we deal with these alleged contradictions?

Let me start by saying this: No, the Bible does not contradict itself; rather, it complements itself. You have to keep in mind that the Bible is a series of books written over the span of 1,500 years by 40 different human authors across three continents. Given this vast scope, you might expect some variations, but these variations are not contradictions. Instead, they complement the entirety of God’s word.

Addressing Alleged Contradictions

Let me take you to a specific example in Proverbs Chapter 26. This passage may challenge you in your Bible reading and raise some questions that require deeper study. But let’s look at what some might call an alleged contradiction in the Bible.

In Proverbs Chapter 26, Verses 4 and 5, it says:

“Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.”
“Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.”
—Proverbs 26:4-5 NKJV

If I were a Bible critic, I might point to this as the definition of a contradiction. However, it’s crucial to recognize the literary style of the book of Proverbs. This book is based on wisdom, teaching us not necessarily the black-and-white rules for every situation but rather to live with discernment, prudence, knowledge, and understanding.

When I read Proverbs 26, Verses 4 and 5, I see that both verses can be true depending on the situation. There are times when, in wisdom, I should not answer a fool according to their folly so I don’t become like them. Yet, there are other times when, with prayerful discernment, I should answer a fool according to his folly so he doesn’t become wise in his own eyes. This is the essence of the book of Proverbs. 

When you look back at Proverbs Chapter 1, it explains the purpose and reason for its writing:

“The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel: To know wisdom and instruction, to perceive the words of understanding, to receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion—A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel.”
—Proverbs 1:1-5 NKJV

Understanding the Bible’s Literary Styles

Another important point to consider is the literary style of the writing. Proverbs is a book of wisdom, and in many ways, it resembles Hebrew poetry. To sum up, the Bible does not contain contradictions. There are answers to each of the alleged contradictions, and one of the key tactics of the enemy is to sow doubt. 

He did this from the very beginning with Adam and Eve, asking, “Did God really say this?” This is still true today. The enemy’s goal is to get you to question the authority of God’s word.

God’s Word is Pure

Finally, I want to read one more verse from the book of Proverbs to you. In Proverbs Chapter 30, Verses 5 and 6, it says:

“Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.”
—Proverbs 30:5-6 NKJV

One of the essential truths about God is that He cannot lie. He is not full of contradictions, and you can trust in that with complete confidence.

God bless you, and thank you for asking these questions.

source https://calvaryyouth.org/biblical-answers/are-there-contradictions-in-the-bible/