Contradictions

There it is, in one sign. What a contradiction. How can this be the entrance when we’re told not to enter? Of course, it brought to mind a scripture:

For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. (1 Corinthians 14:33 KJV)

Many would refute that verse. They say the Bible is full of contradictions. That there are verses that say one thing and a bit later other verses state the opposite. I’m certainly not going to list anyone’s list here, especially since I do not find truth in that statement.

Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 3:16 why we have scriptures:

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (2 Timothy 3:16 KJV)

The Greek written for “inspiration” is theopneustos. That first syllable relates to God, the remainder of the word is used for ‘breathed.’ I would assume the author meant that all scripture comes from God. Peter confirms this viewpoint as he wrote of what first century Christians considered scriptures:

For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. (2 Peter 1:21 KJV)

(That takes me back to High Priest Caiaphas’s prophecy we discussed a couple of days ago – speaking words given by the Holy Spirit.)

A bit later, Peter writes of Paul’s epistles:

And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; (2 Peter 3:15 KJV)

John, in Revelation 22:18-19, outlines how serious it is to add to or to take away from the word of God.

To paraphrase a statement made by Charles Wesley, the Bible is either right or wrong. It was created by good men, bad men or God. Good men would not tell lies, bad men would not write condemning their own sins, and themselves to hell. If it is of God, it must be right.

Some philosophical debater could refute my statement and show contradictions, and in fact, some have done so. I believe the Bible has shown to be true in what it says about men, God and itself.

Whenever I hear of such contradictions, I turn to the Bible in prayer and study before and after those verses. Are they talking about the same thing, or are there differences in time, place, persons? Is it language differences where a word is used in a different context, could the word have varying meanings? Study the variables, for it is important to find the answers for yourself.

We can’t know it all. There are things we will not know. Daniel and John were given major prophecies to tell the world. Both were told to keep some things back, things we are not to know. But I do not believe contradictions were among those things.

Find out for yourself about the Bible. Is it an entrance? Are we not to enter?