In another thread a poster wrote, "but there are way too many contradictions to take it (the Bible) literally and even the figurative passages are too wide ranging (I read inconsistent) as to preclude a coherent philosophy."
Needless to say I disagree with what was said above, so I've started this thread to clear up confusion about the Bible and address this widespread, but unfounded claim.
This is not my idea. In the prior thread I had said my piece and had left the thread, but the Holy Spirit has been after me to respond, so I am doing so.
The disclaimer:
I am one guy, who has a very busy full time job and a family. I will try to answer any honest question, but I will focus on large issues that make a border point in the interpretation of many similar verses.
If you have a personal question, which you don't feel comfortable asking on the forum, I have set up a personal e-mail of [email protected] for this purpose. If you think I'm an idiot or don't want to participate in the discussion, feel free to leave the thread. I don't need your angry e-mails on the personal e-mail, but I will pray for you personally before I delete them.
The ground rules:
If you have a scripture that you feel represents a contradiction, post the whole chapter (all the verses in that chapter) so we can see the context of the verse.
Please also do the same with the verse you claim it contradicts.
I'll post the contextual verses in my response.
I'll be cutting and pasting the Bible verses from the Blue Letter Bible and you can do so too for free.
I prefer the King James version, post your verses from that translation.
I will only comment on verses found in the (non Catholic) Bible. I will not comment or address scripture from the Apocrypha, the Gnostic bible, the Talmud or Mishna, the book of Morman and other texts or Gospels some are claiming should be part of or which some claim were part of some version of the Bible, at one time.
I'm not interested in a cut and paste of articles or other posts on this subject. If your not willing to do the work yourself, this thread isn't for you.
The purpose:
The purpose of this thread is not to prove that there aren't any contradictions in the Bible (spoiler alert - there are)
OR
that there aren't figurative passages or concepts that are difficult to understand.
The purpose is to show that the Bible is consistent when read in the proper context and that you don't have to have a PHD in religion to read and understand it.
The bible is full of contradictions. It is absurd to claim that its not.
That being said, it was no mistake or accident.
Any contradiction in the bible is like a giant X on a treasure map that marks the specific place where something of great value was buried and hidden.