Barnes church of Christ

Using the preceding rules of the previous series of articles, coupled with diligent study, a reader of the Bible will find no real contradictions. However, (without the rules and study) the Bible does appear to contain contradictions. Why is this the case? Couldn’t God have had the writers write in such a way so as to not ever have even one apparent contradiction?! Couldn’t Mark and John both have used the same means of reckoning time (rather than one Jewish and the other Roman)? Sure, with diligent study the apparent contradictions are explained, but why make it difficult and trying?!
That is exactly the point. With this problem, God is testing the heart of a man to see whether or not he: (1) truly hungers and loves the Truth (Matt. 5:6); and (2) has an honest heart (Luke 8:15) to apply common everyday methods of explaining apparent contradictions to the Bible. Is one going to earnestly and honestly study to determine if there is a valid explanation, or is he going to allow such difficulties to create doubt in the inspiration of the Bible?
Consider the striking similarity of this matter with the parables of Christ. When Jesus spoke a parable, He gave that, which, on the surface was vague. True, the story was understandable, but the difficulty was in the vagueness of its spiritual teaching. In spite of their outward appearance, those who were not truly dedicated to their religious commitment to God, when, upon hearing the vague parables, would seek no further explanation. They would close their eyes, ears and hearts, and even oppose Jesus (Matt. 13:15; 21:45-46; Mark 12:12; Luke 20:19). On the other hand, those who were committed in heart would seek out the meaning of the parables and be rewarded with the explanation (Luke 8:9ff). Matthew 13:10-18 contains all of these characteristics which are under consideration: (1) the difficulty of understanding parables, (2) the two kinds of hearts, (3) the explanation of the parable given to the committed and (4) the purpose of the parables (i.e., the “weeding out” process between the committed and uncommitted hearts).
Yes, God allows falsehood and error to be taught (including the claim of Biblical contradictions) so as to test the heart for its love of God and the Truth (2 Thes. 2:10-12).
Conclusion
The Bible is either inspired of God or it is not. One of those positions must be true. Not neither, not both, but one or the other. Atheists, skeptics and critics attempt to establish their contention that the Bible is not inspired of God by claiming it contains contradictions which are below the production of a perfect, all-powerful God. However, principles have been presented which, when applied, reveal that the Bible contains no contradictions.
Gary Henson

What better way to express how we appreciate young mothers? The things written in this article are representative of the thinking of many Christians. They remind us of our responsibility, our challenge and our hope for the future. Mothers, we salute you! And if you want to know why, keep reading —

1. We love you because God has committed to your trust and care the priceless gift of little children. They are “an heritage of the Lord,” and a reward to woman hood (Psalm 127:3).

2. We love you because little children are a blessing to all people. Think how dull and insipid life would be without the sight and sound of little children. They are examples for us in so many ways. We need to observe their love, innocence, humility, purity, and forgiving spirit (Matthew 18:1-4; 1 Corinthians 14:20).

3. We love you because we know how keenly and fearfully you feel about your responsibility to love, teach, train, nurture, provide for, and be an example to your children (Titus 2:4; 5:2; 2 Timothy 1:5; Proverbs 22:6; Deuteronomy 6:4-9). You have shown your concern by taking advantage of opportunities provided by the church to help you in your task.

4. We love you because we know from experience how much of your time, energy, and patience it takes just to bring your children to Bible study and worship services on the Lord’s Day. Yet it is “worth it” and for the sake of the children and the Lord’s church please don’t let up. So many are counting on you.

5. We love you because you are trying to guide little minds toward the goal of sincere and mature worship and service to God. All of us who have tried to do the same know that it is not always easy to get up on a day when most don’t have to worry about getting the family off to work and school, when you are still tired from a busy week, and maybe not feeling well, and get ready for Bible study and worship.

And, when we hear little voices shuffling during the service–don’t be embarrassed. It just means a young mother cared enough to make the effort. Don’t give up–God will bless you for it.

From: The McLoud Messenger

Does a history book contradict itself when it contains within its pages the following statements: “Ronald Reagan was a movie star;” “Ronald Reagan was the Governor of California;” “Ronald Reagan was the president”? No, because at different points in time each statement was true. As time passes, things change.
So it is with the Bible. At one time Mark was a hindrance (Acts 15:38); later he was helpful (2 Tim. 4:11). At one time Demas was Paul’s fellow laborer (Phi. 24); later he had forsaken Paul (1 Tim. 4:10). At one time Moses feared Pharaoh (Acts 7:29); later he did not (Heb. 11:27).
Applying the well-understood principle, “as time passes circumstances change,” many supposed Bible contra-dictions are explained. [Also cf., John 1:44 and Mark 1:21, 29; Acts 20:9 and 20:10; Matt. 27:34 and Mark 15:23.]

Different Ways of Reckoning Time
George Washington wrote that he was born on February 22nd, while his mother wrote the 11th. A contradiction? No, not when it is discovered that his mother used the “Old Style” of time, while he used the “New Style.” A child is born at 11:59 p.m. Yet, the next morning when visitors arrive at 8 a.m. (eight hours later), the mother says the baby is one day old.
The same applies to the Bible. There is no problem with Matthew 12:40 stating that Jesus was buried three days and three nights, because part of Friday, part of Sunday and all of Saturday still account for three different days. There is no contradiction with the statements of Jesus being crucified at the third hour (Mark 15:25) and at the sixth hour (John 19:14-18). Mark could have been writing according to Jewish time, while John’s account could have used Roman time (beginning at midnight) and began counting at the preliminaries of the crucifixion.
Keeping this principle in mind will help a reader to avoid making the mistake of alleging there are Biblical contradictions in passages which deal with time.

Different Arrangement of Material by the Gospel Writers
Contradictions are leveled against the New Testament when the four different writers have various accounts out of order. However, have not historians presented WWII in various aspects (by nations, by generals, by weapons, etc.) without being charged with contradictions?
So it is with Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Actually, it is implied that a pure chronological sequence was not used by some (Luke 1:3). Thus, when there seems to be a contradiction in sequence of order [for example: Jesus traveling beyond Jordan, to Jerusalem, to Jericho and to Jerusalem (Matt. 19:1; 20:17, 29; 21:1), and Jesus traveling beyond Jordan, to Bethany and to Ephraim (John 10:40, 11:17, 54; 22:1)], the reader must remember that the four writers often used different arrangements of material.
Gary Henson

The usage of symbolism in the American speech saturates our society. There probably never has been a language which did not employ it. “He runs faster than a cheetah,” “His mind is a computer,” “The linebacker is a moose” are all phrases which describe, not a literal actuality, but a superior characteristic in symbolic terms. Since human languages use symbolism, and since the New Testament was written in a human language, then, if this fact is not recognized, a reader may think he has found a contradiction when in fact he has not.
Because of the usage of symbolism there is no contradiction with the statements, “he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one” (Luke 22:36) and “put up again thy sword into his place: For all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword” (Matt. 26:52). Since the two swords in Luke’s account are not physically enough for twelve men, Jesus was using symbolism to warn them about the upcoming trying times. Due to symbolism, there is no contradiction with John the baptizer being said to be Elijah (Matt. 11:15) and not to be Elijah (John 1:21). John was Elijah symbolically, as is made clear in Matthew 17:10-13. The Bible is not contradicting itself when it is said that Jesus was the vine (John 15:5), the chief corner-stone (Eph. 2:20), the good shepherd (John 10:11), a lamb (Acts 8:32), the door (John 10:9), living bread (John 6:51) and the light (John 9:5). Each of these terms are figuratively describing one of the many wonderful relationships between the Son of God and man. Thus, many of the supposed contradictions vanish away when the reader recognizes the usage of symbolic language.

Different Angles or Purposes of the Writers
Two television news teams report the same automobile accident. Both stories are the same in regard to the basic account, yet the reports are not precisely identical. One mentions all the people and bodily injuries, the other one doesn’t. One mentions all the vehicles and faulty parts, the other doesn’t. Contradictions? No. Why? One team, wishing to emphasize driver responsibility to human life, gives a report with details highlighting this aspect. The other, seeking to emphasize equipment safety, presents aspects of the account to highlight that aspect.
The New Testament is no different. When Matthew 8:28 reported two demoniacs while Mark 5:2 reported one, Mark singled out the most prominent character (just as he did in seven other occasions). It is like a person saying “I met the president of the United States” when in fact he also met the twenty others with him. To say that Jesus was a lamb (John 1:36) who was a lion (Rev.5:5) does not contradict when one realizes that the first emphasizes Jesus as the innocent sacrifice, while the second highlights His fierceness in judgment. It is not a contradiction when Matthew reported that Jesus was approached by the centurion, while Luke said it was the elders. Matthew’s report by-passed the elders who merely carried the centurion’s request. In like manner, many today report that they received a letter from the president, when in actuality, the letter came from the president’s communication department. Many such reputed contradictions are clarified when the reader recognizes that the writers wrote from different angles or with different purposes. [Also cf., “Jesus carried the cross” (John 19:17) and “Simon carried the cross” (Luke 23:26); “One animal” (Mark 11:7) and “More than one animal” (Matt. 21:5, 7).]
Gary Henson

Contradictions can also be erroneously claimed by regarding one item as two different items. Two men had a never-ending argument over the authorship of Tom Sawyer. One claimed it was Mark Twain. The other insisted it was Samuel Clemens.
When a Bible character (as well as a place or event) has more than one name, the reader ought to check to see if the two passages are using different names of the same person before he calls it a contradiction. One Bible character had the names: Joseph, Barsabas and Justis. Another was called: Simon, Simeon, Simon Bar-jona, Simon son of Jonas, Simon Peter, Cephas and Peter. The two men who argued over the authorship of Tom Sawyer would have room for five more when considering the writer of First and Second Peter.
This explains the apparent contra-dictions in the four listings of the Apostles (Matt.10:2-4; Mark 3:16-19; Luke 6:13-16; Acts 1:13). It answers why the same area was called the country of the Gergesenes (Matt. 8:28) and the country of the Gadarenes (Mark 5:1). It explains why the woman was a Canaanite in Matthew 15:32, but a Syro-phenician in Mark 7:26. No, there are no contradictions in these verses or verses like them. They are simply cases in which one item has two or more names.
Under A Different Covenant
Recognizing that the people in the four Gospels and the people in Acts to Revelation were living under two different covenants will clarify some supposed contradictions. It is not a contradiction to say that Mr. Smith legally drives on both sides of the road – – if Mr. Smith frequently travels to and drives in London (a nation with a different traffic law).
Jesus’ crucifixion made the law of Moses (under which Christ lived) old (Heb. 8:13). Thus, it is not a contradiction for Jesus to have observed the Passover and the Sabbath when Colossians 2:16 makes clear that such is no part of Christianity. This principle also explains why Hebrews 7:19 states “the law made nothing perfect,” while James 1:25 mentions “the perfect law.” The first was the old law and the second was the new. The principle of “different laws” also explains why the Jews said “by our law he ought to die” (John 19:7) and “it is not lawful for us to put any man to death” (John 18:31). The first refers to the Mosaic law, the second to the restrictions of the Roman law.
We would pray that our religious friends would apply this crucial principle of “different covenants” to the thief on the cross. He lived under a different law than those who received the instructions of the necessity of baptism for salvation (Acts 2:38; 22:16; et.al). To claim that the case of the thief on the cross proves that baptism is not essential, is to make the Bible contradict itself – – which would imply that the Bible is not inspired.
Gary Henson

• – A Series of Articles – –

The word “contradiction” means to make two statements in which it is impossible for both to be true. For example, the statement, “This page is totally white,” contradicts the statement, “This page is not totally white.” Both cannot be true. They contradict.
Human beings make contradictions. We are faulty; we make errors; we are not perfect. But not so with God. God is perfect; He does not make errors; He does not make contradictions. Thus, if the Bible is authored by God, there will be no contradictions.
Since critics deceive multitudes, even in the church, by proclaiming that the Bible does contain contradictions, what, then, is a general response in answering reputed New Testament contradictions?

Different Meaning of Words

Many apparent contradictions are easily explained when it is understood that some words have two different meanings. As two hunters walked near a cliff, one saw a rock falling directly at his friend, and yelled “duck.” Immediately, the friend raised his rifle and his head directly into the oncoming rock. Words such as fly, bear, sore, comb and many others remind us that some words have more then one meaning. Thus, when there appears to be a contradiction, it is only fair and honest to first check to see if two different things are being described by the same word.
When the Bible says that we are not justified by works (Rom. 4:2; Gal.2:16) and that we are justified by works (Jas. 2:24), it needs to be asked, “Are two different meanings to the word ‘work’ being applied?” Indeed there are. Actually, in this case, there are three different meanings. In Galatians 2:16, the works are the works of the old law which had been done away (Col. 2:14). Obviously, no one could be justified by a law that was no longer in effect. In Romans 4:2, the works are self-righteous, meritorious works with which no one can save himself (Acts 4:12). Yet, the works of James 2:24 are the works which God set out for us to do (John 6:28-29) in faith and in love (Gal. 5:6). They are works of righteousness (Acts 10:35). No, there are no contradictions in these verses. They are simply cases in which one word has two or more meanings. [Also cf., “Fear God” (Eccl. 12:13) and “Do not fear God” (Luke 1:74); “God repents: (Gen. 6:6) and “God does not repent” (1 Sam. 15:29).]
It also must be recognized, there are occasions in which the same English word is translated from two different Greek words. Such is the case in Galatians 6:2,5, “Bear ye one another’s burdens…For every man shall bear his own burden.” The first “burden” is from baros which refers to the difficulties and hardships of life. The second is phortion which refers to personal obligations which no one else can do for another. Once again, with a little investigation, there is no contradiction.
Gary Henson

There are hundreds of charitable organizations to which people give millions of dollars every year. With such amazing sums of contributions, one might wonder: “Why do people give so much? Is it a requirement, like taxes?” No, people give freely because they are convinced of the great good their contribution accomplishes. Christians, too, need to know of the great good their giving does.
Our giving accomplishes the preaching of the Gospel. The mission and purpose of the church is to preach the Gospel (Mark 16:15; Mat. 28:19-20), and funds are needed to finance this work. The church of Philippi knew this and they gave toward that end (Phil. 4:15-16). The various telethons are noble indeed as they strive to help ailing bodies, but the church and it only has the highest work of all–to help ailing and lost souls. Yes, our giving accomplishes much.
Our giving accomplishes the edification of the church. As Ephesians 4:16 makes clear, the church is to edify (self teach) itself. Thus, as we purchase materials for our classroom to help educate ourselves in the Scriptures, we are helping ourselves to keep from stumbling (2 Pet. 1:5), to know the truth which sets us free (John 8:32) and to learn how to live right (Col. 1:9). Yes, our giving accomplishes much.
Our giving accomplishes much in helping the needy. God has told us, “as we therefore have opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them of the household of faith” (Gal.6:10; cf., Jas. 1:27). Yes, God wants His children to help the needy. An example of a giving church is the congregation at Antioch, who, upon hearing of the needy, “every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt at Jerusalem”. As we today give to orphan homes and various needy families and individuals, our giving accomplishes much.
Our giving also accomplishes much good for ourselves. Philippians 4:17 states, “It is more blessed to give, than to receive.” Find a person who gives, not of necessity, but willfully, and you will find a person who is rich in contentment and inner happiness.
May each of us be encouraged and reassured of the importance of giving, for our giving does accomplish much!
Gary Henson

Truly, one of the major decisions of life is that of choosing a career. The choice that a person makes in this matter sets the course for one’s life. Only an imprudent person would approach this crucial decision without looking far down the road to where the various options lead, or without listening to the invaluable advice of those who have been there. Yet, the most cherished principles for choosing a career come from Him whose principles do not fail.
ONE: Choose A Career That Will Not Keep You From Having A Family Life. If you choose a career that will have you: (1) spending too much time in work; (2) on the road always away from your home; (3) exhausted when you go home; or (4) still thinking about your work while at home—then you will find that you have chosen a career that will keep you from having a family life.
Like the strong, energetic man who thought he could hike across the Sahara Desert because he felt so good at the beginning, the person who ignores this principle will eventually find his life quite dry. A man has the obligation (as well as the need) to love (and be loved by) his wife (Eph. 5:25) and to be involved in the raising and the life of his children (Eph. 6:4). The same is true for the woman (Titus 2:4; 1 Tim. 2:15). Yet, some careers make this prohibiting. Thus, choose a career that will not keep you from having a family life.
TWO: Choose A Career That Will Not Lead You Into Temptation. The real purpose of life is not to see: what a great career you have; how much money you earn; how much you gain materially; how high you can get as a supervisor or chairman of the board. Rather, the real purpose of life is to live a life as a faithful Christian. Thus, you need to select a career that will not easily lead you into temptation (Mat. 6:13).
THREE: Choose A Career That You Will Not Love. Yes, it is hoped that you will be able to do that which you like and are happy with, but like it—don’t love it. Never choose anything other than God of which you will “love with all your heart, mind, soul and strength” (Luke 10:27). Loving God is first; loving your family is second; liking your job is somewhere down the ladder.
If you are arriving at the exciting time of choosing your career, protect yourself and better your life by following these principles from Him whose principles do not fail.
Gary Henson