DOES THE BIBLE CONTAIN CONTRADICTIONS?—Seventh of a Series of Seven—Apparent Contradictions Serve as a Test of Men’s Hearts

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