Frequent Mistakes Skeptics Make with Alleged Bible Contradictions

Having thus far refuted 106 alleged Bible contradictions listed by the Skeptic Annotated Bible I noticed over time a pattern of repeated mistakes made when there’s an assertion of a contradiction from the Bible.

In dealing with alleged Bible contradictions its always important to keep the definition of what’s a contradiction front and center in one’s mind before dealing with specific examples.  As given in many of my posts here’s the definition of a contradiction:  “A contradiction occurs when two or more claims conflict with one another so that they cannot simultaneously be true in the same sense and at the same time.  To put it another way, a Bible contradiction exists when there are claims within the Bible that are mutually exclusive in the same sense and at the same time.”

Below I list eight types of frequent mistakes made by the skeptics so that readers can be equipped in identifying frequent errors made when someone claimed two or more passages of Scripture are contradicting.  Some of these types of errors are over-lapping.

Verses that do not support skeptic’s claims

How many blind men were healed near Jericho?  The skeptic thinks that in asking this question a Bible contradiction can be seen.  The skeptic on the website claimed that one of the Bible verses said “only one.”  But that’s not true.  The verse doesn’t say that.  Other examples where the verse cited does not support the skeptic’s premise/claim can be seen in this post: “Who argued in favor of occupying Canaan during the Exodus?” and “Was Jesus the son of David?”

Claims that are not Mutually Exclusive

What was Sodom’s sin?  Here the skeptics gives us a list of sins.  But all the sins of Sodom listed by Scripture are not mutually exclusive.  And if they are not mutually exclusive they are not a contradiction.  Other examples include:

1. What did the Centurion call Jesus when he died?
2. Who buried Jesus?
3. Did Judas identify Jesus with a kiss?
4. What did the sign over Jesus’s head say?
5.  When did the women (or woman) arrive at the sepulchre?

Difference of Time

Did or did not the Samaritans receive Jesus?  Remember  in order to demonstrate a contradiction, it’s not merely enough to show two claims, A and B, are opposite of one another and are mutually exclusive.  One need to further demonstrate claim A and B are in opposition to one another at the same time.  Other examples include:

1. How many were from the tribe of Simeon?
2. Where did the women watching the crucifixion stand?
3. Who put the robe on Jesus?
4. Did both thieves revile Jesus?
5. Where did Moses get water from a rock?
6. When was Jesus rejected by the people in his hometown of Nazareth?

Different Sense of the same word being used

Did Jesus say he would always be with his disciples?  This is an example of something we can see in the English where different sense of presence is being used.  A notorious example of the skeptics making this mistake is with the Hebrew word בֵּן.  The range of meaning for בֵּן include “son” but it can also be translate in English as “grandson.”  This mistake can be seen when the skeptic asked “Were Naaman and Ard the sons or the grandsons of Benjamin?”  This particular error frequently appear in the Skeptic Annotated Bible:

1. Who Was Achan’s father?
2. Who was Laban’s father?
3. Was Zechariah Iddo’s son or grandson?
4. Was Jehu the son or grandson of Nimshi?
5. Who was Korah’s father?

Confusion of Names

Sometimes two individuals can have the same name.  See “How long did Jehoash reign?” and “When was King Jabin killed?”  Yet other times  an individual can have more than one name.  See “Who were the sons of David born in Hebron?,” “What was the name of the tax collector who was called by Jesus?” and “What is God’s name?”

Ignorance of Geography

A good example of this kind of mistake can be seen in “Did Jesus ascend from Bethany or Mount Olivet?”  Here the error is the skeptic doesn’t even know the locations mentioned so they think its a contradiction.  Sometimes its ignorance of the history of a geographical location, see “What tribe was Aijalon from?” and “Which tribe was Hyram from?”  Other times knowledge of where the geographical location of an event takes place is a contribution factor in resolving an alleged contradiction, see “Burying and Saying Bye to Parents in Luke 9:59-62” and Did Joshua kill everyone in Gezer?

Ignorance of the Original Language

Was Mary (the mother of Jesus) blessed?  This alleged Bible contradiction centers on the meaning of the Greek word Μενοῦν.  We have seen above the issue with the skeptic not understanding the lexical range of the meaning of the Hebrew term בֵּן. Other examples of lexical mistakes and also verbal functions can be seen in the examples below:

1. Was Jairus’ daughter alive when Jesus was approached?
2. Where did the devils ask not to go?
3. Did Jehoiakim die in Babylon or near Jerusalem?
4. Was Jonah swallowed by a fish or a whale?
5. How was Zedekiah related to Nebuchadnezzar?

Ignorance of Textual Criticism

Sometimes the skeptics aren’t skilled in the field of textual criticism of Scripture.  For more on Textual Criticism check out our series “We can know the words of the Old Testament: Table of Contents”

1. Bible Contradiction? Who was Samuel’s firstborn son?
2. On what day of the month was Jehoiachin released from prison?