Are there contradictions in the Bible?

Recently I have been contacted by a certain man who alleges to have more than 100 contradictions found within the pages of Holy Scripture. While it is certainly true that some things are “hard to be understood” (II Pet. 3:16), that there are folks out there who have taken the time amass what they believe to be contradictions in the Bible reveals who they really are.

Folks, honest men have honest questions, and they ask them in a sincere manner. However, not all men are honest, and this becomes evident rather quickly as the voice of antagonism arises. You see, allegations of contradictions come from those who are already embittered against Christianity for one reason or another, and who seek to poison others in their misery.

But if it is contradiction they want, then let’s peel back the veneer and see where the real contradictions are. There are basically three categories into which all contradictions can be grouped, the first being that of contradictions between Bible versions. This is the Achilles’ heel of modern day Christianity. If you are an agnostic or an atheist, this is where the strength of your arguments will rest. Modern day Christianity has been led to believe that the multiplicity of Bible versions is advantageous as a “comparative” Bible study aid, yet things that are different are not the same.

Take, for instance, Acts 8:37; it reads in the King James Version, “And Philip said, ‘If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.’” However, when you look it up in the New International Version, it is not even there. For those out there who will cry foul and talk about alternate readings being in the margins, you need to understand that the text reflects what the translators believe should be there while the alternate readings in the margins are given as an appeasement.

The significance here is huge. In the context of the passage, baptism (vs. 36 and 38), verse 37 makes it clear that baptism is not in any way, shape nor form part of salvation, and that the church has no authority to baptize anyone who has not already believed in Jesus Christ for the salvation of their soul. It further declares that baptism is only a public declaration of salvation. However, if you take verse 37 out, it gives room for those who believe that baptism is an essential part of salvation.

This, my friends, is a true contradiction.

But there are more. Take, for instance, I John 5:7-8; in the King James Version. It reads, “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.”

However, if you were to look this up in the New International Version, verse 7 is missing. It reads: “For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement.”

For those of you who actually took the time to look these up, what you found was that while the NIV had a verse 7 marker, unlike the case of Acts 8:37, what they actually have done is taken verse 8 and split it in half, hoping that no one would notice. But again, the difference is huge.

Folks, the doctrine of the Trinity is no small doctrine. While you won’t find the word “Trinity” in the Bible, it is alluded to in the Old Testament in verses such as Genesis 1:26 and Deuteronomy 6:4, and made plain in the New Testament in verses such as John 1:1-3, I Timothy 3:16 and Titus 2:13. It is so important that on its veracity stands not only the doctrine of Jesus Christ’s Deity, but also that of the doctrine of salvation itself. I John 4:3a says, “And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God.”

This, again, is a contradiction between Bible versions. And these are true contradictions because things that are different are not the same.

My friends, if you believe in believers’ baptism, and the doctrine of the Trinity, why would you ever carry a Bible version that did not faithfully promote what you believed?

And for those of you who oppose Christianity, isn’t it about time you rolled up your sleeves and did some real research? Rather than rely on another’s list of pretend contradictions, just consider it a challenge from me to you to find all the differences that do exist between English Bible versions, beginning with their dedicatory.

Ron Hamman is pastor of Independent Baptist Church of Wasilla. Contact him at 357-4229 or rghamman@mtaonline.net.