A common complaint made about the Bible is that it has so many contradictions and mistakes. It is not surprising that such a charge would be made by an unbelieving scholar who will investigate the Bible’s pages and illogically force a mistake into it here and there. The shocking part is that so many will use these “mistakes” as an excuse not to obey its teachings.

Most want you to think they have made a careful, painstaking examination, and have reluctantly come to the conclusion that the Bible is not reliable because of all its mistakes. But when asked to show one, it is apparent that no such examination has taken place, no specific error is in mind, and it is an excuse. But what if the “scholar” who has investigated and has a list of contradictions? Each alleged mistake has to be examined as to whether it has merit, or is just an unfair attack on the Bible by an unbeliever who is either ignorant or malicious.

If it were not so serious a matter, some of these “mistakes” would be funny. For example, Psalm 123:1 says God dwells in Heaven but Psalm 9:11 says He dwells in Zion. He can’t dwell at both places, can He? Contradiction! But only if one ignores the omnipresence of God. “Do I not fill the heaven and earth?’ Saith the Lord” (Jeremiah 23:24). Yes, God can dwell in both places!

Concerning the execution of Christ, John records the words of Jesus’ enemies. In one passage, they say, “We have a law, and by our law, he ought to die” (John 19:7). But in John 18:31, they say, “It is not lawful for us to put any man to death.” Another contradiction! How could the same people say both things? They could easily do so if they were talking about two different laws. The first law they are referring to is the Law of Moses. They considered Jesus a blasphemer which was a sin that merited death. However, Judah was not an independent nation. By Roman law, the chief priests had to secure the Roman governor’s permission to execute criminals.

There are others, but you get the picture. Rather flimsy, weren’t they? How sad that so many have heard that there are “discrepancies” in the Bible, and use that as an excuse not to believe. One must not let Satan win the victory so easily. Examine the scriptures daily (Acts 17:11)!

Jon Quinn