The Bible Group

Topic: Does the scripture contradict itself, or can it simply be interpreted to one's liking?

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mrtoad

While there may be errors and contradictions in the various translations of the Old and New Testaments of the Christian Bible, it is my belief that the Holy Scriptures, as originally written, by inspiration of God are without error and without contradiction in every respect. There are many passages that testify that this is the case, notably II Timothy 3:15-17, II Timothy 2:13, Psalm 19:7, Psalm 12:6, etc.

To claim that the Bible contradicts itself makes it altogether unreliable in matters of faith and life because such an assertion separates Jesus from his word and thus makes him out to be disingenuous at best.   For when the apostle writes in II Timothy 3:16 that ALL Scripture is given by inspiration of God, he is referring to that God who is characterized in 2 Timothy 2:13 as the one who is unable to contradict or deny himself.

The Apostle Peter in his second epistle exhorts the believers in Christ to make their calling and election sure.  This is not accomplished by giving up first one article of our Christian faith, and then another, to try to explain, to the satisfaction of human reason, the revelations that have been so graciously revealed to us by our all-knowing, all-wise, omniscient, faithful God.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9).

Christians who are serious about making their calling and election sure also know that they are not allowed to pick and choose which parts of divine revelation they wish to believe or not, unless they do it at their own peril (see Deuteronomy 12:32 and Revelation 22:18). Jesus, in John 10:35, speaking of the veracity of Holy Writ declares, The Scripture cannot be broken (set aside).

It is true that there are seeming contradictions in the Bible, but that is all.  The Apostle Paul reminds us in this connection, When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known (I Corinthians 13:11-12)

Finally, the Bible does not allow Christians to interpret Scripture according to their fancy.  The Apostle Peter emphatically states by inspiration of God, If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God. Christians are to emulate the example of the Apostle Paul who writes in I Corinthians 2:13, We speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. The Lord God connects the veracity of the Scriptures with a prohibition against interpreting them as we please in 2 Peter 1:19-21 as follows:

We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. for the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as the were moved by the Holy Ghost.

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