Point: When someone comes to you with an attack on the Bible where they say there is a Bible contradiction and they provide you with an example sometimes Christians can respond in a knee-jerk fashion of giving a haphazard answer where they are “winging it” in order to quickly defend the faith. But sometimes the solution might not be adequate in that both the Christian defender and the skeptic attacker haven’t dealt with the passage properly. How can you illustrate the importance of refuting an alleged Bible contradiction in a way that motivate Christians to go deeper?
Picture: A few years ago a brother in the Lord was teaching me about self-defense and martial arts. There was something he said that was very helpful to improve my punches. He told me to picture my fists not just hitting the surface of what I’m aiming for but instead to have it as my aim to have my fists go beyond what I’m trying to hit. As an example instead of aiming to hit the surface of a punching bag he told me to picture my fists going a few inches pass the punching bag. That extra mental aim allows one to deliver a stronger punch than if one just picture mentally hitting the surface of the bag strongly. Likewise if one were to aim to go “deeper” in refuting Bible contradictions with the purpose of understanding what it actually is teaching then our refutation of the claim of it being a contradiction goes so much further than if we are merely trying to refute the claim of a Bible contradiction.
POSSIBLE SCENARIO FOR EMPLOYING THIS ILLUSTRATION DURING APOLOGETIC EVANGELISM
OPPONENT: I can’t believe in Christianity because of the contradictions in the Bible. For instance, “How many men were possessed with demons at the country of the Gadarenes?” Was there one or two?
CHRISTIAN: I don’t believe there is a contradiction here. But I want to think about it and get back to you.
OPPONENT: That’s a cop out. You’re going to cheat.
CHRISTIAN: I’m trying to figure out what it really mean. That times and some hard work.
OPPONENT: Really?
CHRISTIAN: Yes. In order to refute your claim of a Bible contradiction I don’t just want to punch in the air or merely hit the surface. I want to go deep to make sure it’s a knock-out. <Insert illustration>
Later…
CHRISTIAN: Here’s the refutation: <Insert response>.
Great advice and memorable illustration! Yes, sometimes a thorough response is called for rather than a knee-jerk. We have good reason to keep studying!
RE: “We have good reason to keep studying!”
Indeed we have good reason to keep studying! I also found it helpful in refuting alleged Bible contradictions to not just only interpreting the Bible to refute the claim of a contradiction, but to interpret it for the end of applying what the Bible says. For example in refuting the latest alleged contradiction, “How many believers were there at the time of the ascension?” I stopped and meditated on the truth that Christ ascended so that the Spirit as our Helper might come. And it is the Spirit who is our Teacher and who I rely for help to understand God’s Word. Therefore it is important to acknowledge and rely on the Spirit to help understand the specific passages and also in general whenever I read the Bible. I’m going to write more about the subject of application of God’s truth from rightful interpretation after refuting alleged Bible contradiction which I hope others would be edified with…
Good thoughts! As a new Christian, I read through the Bible pretty much at face value. But over time, I’ve learned to see the interconnectedness of Scripture; one teaching leads to another, to another, etc. Having a couple of commentaries helped me to get in the habit of looking beyond just the immediate text for parallel and complimentary teachings.
Man Tom I’m so encouraged to hear that. Really. I wished more believers would study God’s Word more deeply and not just “Pastors.” We would have less problems both in terms of practical life and also of doctrinal compromises if that was the case…
Thanks, Pastor! We recently had a church small group session and the topic was the frequency of personal Bible reading/study. Most everyone confessed that they struggled to even get a few verses in each day. I was like, Say what? If they only had a few Bible resources it would really open up their study of God’s Word. I’m not bragging. It was a gift from the Lord that led me to picking up just a few Bible aids. Instead of it being a drudgery, I look forward to Bible study.
That’s a great illustration! I’m going to keep this one in my head for future use.
Praise God, thanks for reading this Elihu, I am encouraged to hear that!
That’s really good. Not only gives a believer time to answer accurately, but teaches that other person that one must do a lot more then poke the surface when interpreting God’s Word1
Amen; going tangent I do appreciate those posts where you do Bible studies from Scripture and go beyond mere surface reading; plus you apply God’s Word too. I’ll be out and about all day without my laptop to read my blog reader but I’ll have access on my phone to comments, keep us posted concerning your daughter. Know that the saints from all over are praying…
Those prayers mean the world,my brother, thank you.
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
Belated…but thanks for the reblog!
no worries Brother 😎
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Wow I love the illustration. Locked in my mind for future use.
Thank you
You’re welcome Crissy. I’m glad to hear that. If I read your comments to Bible Guy 317 correctly you are in your family vacation right now, I hope that would be a blessed time of refreshment sister.
Thank you Pastor Jin . Only four days away but much needed.
Grace and peace
I don’t really have a problem with people spouting Bible contradictions. However, more than once I have received a phone call from angry or confused co-workers because of a comment made by a self anointed/appointed pastor on my job who has cemetery (seminary) knowledge of the Word but does not know it for himself.
This is good Jim. Even if a person does think it’s a copout it teaches a lesson that people cannot just believe something without doing some research.
I sometimes ask people to do a little research on their own and get back to me. Often they are just repeating what someone else told them and they have never truly examined the other side.
That’s a good strategy; that also foster people to practice their own research and discernment. That’s practical James.
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thx I needed to know this
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Thanks for encouraging us to have a knock out response to contradictions by finding out what the passage contextually really is saying
That’s such a good analogy. I see now why there’s a “power punch” to your articles refuting Bible contradictions
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