What About All Those "Contradictions" in the Bible?

"But it is full of contradictions," say many who do not trust the Bible. The best way to respond to this statement is to ask, "Can you please give an example?" The examples given (if they can think of any examples at all), are not actually contradictions, but more like Bible difficulties. In many cases, the differences we find in biblical accounts actually strengthen the reliability of the Bible. Here are a few examples.

1. Matthew tells us that Jesus encountered two demon-possessed men when he arrived at the region of the Gadarenes (Matthew 8:28). In the exact same event, Luke tells us that Jesus was "met by a demon-possessed man from the town." So, did Jesus meet one or two demon-possessed men, and is this a contradiction?

This is not a contradiction. A contradiction would be if Luke told us that Jesus met one, and only one, demon-possessed man. Assuming Matthew is correct that there were two, Luke says nothing to contradict Matthew. Luke is correct that Jesus did meet a demon-possessed man, he simply doesn't tell us about the other man that Jesus met.

Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and sometimes other New Testament books, describe many of the same events in Jesus' life. The fact that they include and exclude different details, or write about the same events in different ways, does not mean that they contradict each other, instead it adds validity to their writings.

Experts consider eyewitness testimony more compelling when multiple accounts describe the same event in different ways without actual contradictions. For example, consider the scene of an automobile accident. Police may talk to multiple people who saw the same event from different angles. Their age, race, and socioeconomic status may influence who they consider to be at fault. Regardless, each person will probably state what they saw differently. They will start and finish the story at different points, and include and exclude different details. If two "random" people have the exact same story, they arouse suspicions that they worked together to create the story they want the police to believe. When multiple people tell different versions of the same story, the testimony is more reliable. That is what we have in the New Testament, different versions of the same stories that support each other and give us multiple perspectives of the same event. Here are other examples:

2. Luke tells us that one of the criminals crucified next to Jesus "hurled insults at him." But the other criminal "rebuked him," saying "We are punished justly...But this man has done nothing wrong" (Luke 23:39). Matthew, however, says that both criminals "heaped insults" at Jesus, saying nothing to differentiate between the two criminals (Matthew 27:44). Most likely both criminals heaped insults at Jesus for a time, just as Matthew says. Later, however, one of the criminals changed his mind about Jesus. Perhaps watching Jesus act lovingly towards his enemies greatly impacted him. Luke focuses on this incident in order to demonstrate that anyone, at anytime, can find salvation through faith in Jesus. Matthew only describes the earlier event to stress Jesus' humiliation - even death row criminals were mocking the righteous King Jesus. It's also possible Matthew witnessed the earlier part of Jesus' crucifixion, but was not present later on when one of the criminals repented.

3. Matthew tells us that Judas died when he "went away and hanged himself" (Matthew 27:5). Luke does not say Judas hanged himself, but tells us that "he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out" (Acts 1:18). Which is correct? Although the Bible does not explain how both are correct, there is no reason to assume that only one version is true. Judas did hang himself. Then his dead body hung over the side of a steep, rocky hill (archaeologists may have identified this spot). Eventually, he either fell or was cut down. Then, his body fell headlong, landing on the rocks far below, and "his body burst open." Matthew gives us the bare facts. Luke gives a graphic depiction so that readers consider more seriously how tragic the end was for Judas, because he refused to repent.

4. There are a number of differences in the resurrection accounts. For instance, Matthew records Jesus first appearing to a group of women after his resurrection (Matthew 28:1-10). Paul, on the other hand, records that Jesus "was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve" (1 Corinthians 15:4-5). However, Paul does not deny that Jesus appeared to the women before appearing to Peter. He simply doesn't write about that earlier appearance. Paul was writing to give supporting evidence for the resurrection of Jesus to a Gentile audience in Corinth. They did not accept testimony from women in a legal setting, so it is understandable why he would leave it out. Paul would only contradict Matthew if he wrote that Jesus appeared to Peter before appearing to anyone else. All the different resurrection accounts can work together into a single list of events.

There are many other types of supposed "contradictions." However, Jesus taught that the Bible is God's Word, and God does not make mistakes (See, "How Do We Know the Bible is God's Word"). Perhaps you have come across a statement in the Bible that presents a difficulty. Feel free to share those and I will be happy to respond.


Trust the Bible's purpose is to grow your confidence that the Bible is true and the ultimate resource for life." You can join the Facebook group by clicking here. Trust the Bible is a weekday radio program that begins at about 8:10 each morning on WDOG 93.5 in Allendale, SC. Listen to previous programs online: www.fairfaxfbc.org/trust-the-bible.html

Can I Know I'm Saved?

Yes, you can know you are saved! However, you can also believe you are saved when you are not. 

First, the Bible does offer hope to those who doubt their salvation. "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life" (1 John 5:13). Jesus even says we can have reasonable confidence whether or not others are saved, "By their fruit you will recognize them" (Matthew 7:20). God wants us to know.

On the other hand, the Bible warns those who believe they are saved for the wrong reasons. "Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'" (Matthew 7:22-23).

In both cases, the Bible tells us that assurance (knowing you are saved) only comes after a careful examination and an understanding of the proper identifications. Jesus urges cautious evaluation through the story of the wolf in sheep's clothing (Matthew 7:15). From a distance, or with an innocent glance, a wolf may appear to be a sheep. But if you look with a critical eye for the right things, you will notice that the legs underneath the sheepskin belong to a wolf. 

When it comes to evaluating Christians, a profession of faith is the sheepskin. Yes, sheep will have a sheepskin, but a wolf might as well. A profession of faith does not mean a person is, or is not saved. Jesus says immediately after the passage about the wolf that "Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord..." They have a profession of faith; they even call Jesus "Lord." Many Christians have been told they should not doubt their salvation if they have a profession of faith. If they have said a prayer asking Jesus into their life, or have been baptized and joined a church, or responded to an altar call, then nothing else matters, their salvation is secure. However, Jesus clearly does not agree with this teaching.

So, what evidence does indicate true salvation? First, let's define salvation. The reason for confusion on the issue of assurance is in part based on the idea that salvation means nothing more than an entrance into heaven. However, the Bible also speaks about freedom from God's condemnation that we deserve (John 3:18), the forgiveness of sin (Ephesians 1:7), being set free from the power of sin (Romans 6:22), a new birth in which we come alive spiritually (John 3:3, Ephesians 2:5), the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives (Romans 8:15), and much more! In short, it is a total change of direction in life from a path leading to destruction to a path leading to life and holiness (Matthew 7:13-14, Romans 6:22).

No one can experience the changes that are promised to all Christians and not demonstrate that a change has taken place ("by their fruit you will recognize them"). Be careful, though, about assuming "good works" are evidence of salvation. Jesus warned against works of righteousness that are done "to be seen by men" in Matthew 6. In addition, the ones Jesus "never knew," who cried "Lord, Lord," claimed great works - miracles and casting out demons. Jesus taught about a different group of signs that indicate that the heart is truly transformed by God's grace:

 

1. A humility about one's own righteousness. Jesus said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:3). When asked, "Why should God let you into heaven?" true Christians quickly acknowledge that they have violated God's law, and deserve his condemnation. Their only hope is the promises of God to freely apply the work of Christ to their sin. This gift is based on God's mercy and love and not any deservingness in the believer. "False" Christians will answer this question with statements about how hard they are trying to do what is right, how they are "better" than they used to be, or list their works of righteousness such as church attendance or giving.

 

2. Repentance from sin. We are commanded to believe in the Lord Jesus (Acts 16:31). Once Jesus asked, "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?" (Luke 6:46). The Bible also talks about our need to respond to the gospel with repentance and faith (Acts 20:21). This is another way of saying believing in Jesus as Lord. You no longer want to sin. You want to do what Jesus says. The same Savior who gave his life for us will certainly not command us to do something that is not for our good. We have faith in him, not only for our forgiveness of sin, but also that he loves us and gives good commands. This does not mean you will stop sinning, but the sin in your life is now something you are fighting against. You do not want it, and you will grow and have victories over it. Jesus puts it this way, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled" (Matthew 5:6). A serious warning sign that someone is not a true Christian is when they are caught in a sin and still want to keep right on doing it.

 

3. A love for God's Word. "My sheep listen to my voice. I know them and they follow me" (John 10:27). The wolf in sheep's clothing will not love the shepherd's voice. True sheep enjoy learning about the Bible, recognize that it is God's Word, and desire to put it into practice. The one who is truly saved is the "wise man," Jesus says, "who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice" (Matthew 7:24). Another serious warning sign is when someone rejects a clear teaching of Scripture to follow a popular viewpoint or one supported by many "experts." Usually, the root problem is that they don't really recognize that the whole Bible is God's Word. See, "How Do We Know the Bible is God's Word."

 

4. A willingness to forgive others. When you have experienced God's amazing forgiveness, it no longer makes sense to withhold forgiveness from others. Jesus says, "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy" (Matthew 5:7), and "If you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins" (Matthew 6:14-15). In both passages, Jesus is not saying you must forgive others before God can forgive you. Rather, he is stating a characteristic of the forgiven. A person forgiven much will desire to forgive others. Similarly, Jesus says, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged" (Matthew 7:1). See "Forgiveness."

 

Are these evidences in your life? "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you-- unless, of course, you fail the test?" (2 Corinthians 13:5).

 

 Trust the Bible's purpose is to grow your confidence that the Bible is true and the ultimate resource for life." You can join the Facebook group by clicking here. Trust the Bible is a weekday radio program that begins at about 8:10 each morning on WDOG 93.5 in Allendale, SC. Listen to previous programs online: www.fairfaxfbc.org/trust-the-bible.html