Point: Sometimes when one engage in apologetics the issue of alleged Bible contradiction comes up. There are times when those who assert that there are contradictory verses in the Bible fail to acknowledge that words can have more than one meaning and thus a word used in one context does not mean the same thing in another context. But if one fail to recognize there are differences of meaning of the word being used in two separate contexts, a skeptic can easily assume there’s a Bible contradiction when there are none. Are there any examples of this error to get the point across to a skeptic of their foolish methodology and mistake?
Picture: In the English language some words have more than meaning. Even more fascinating are words that are contronyms. What are contronyms? According to Grammarly it is “a homonym (another word with the same spelling but different meaning) that is also an antonym (a word with the opposite meaning).” In other words, its a word that has more than one meaning and two of those meanings can be opposites!
But when they are opposite in meaning we know which meaning is meant according to its context. Again, like how we deal with Bible contradictions and showing there’s not a contradiction, context is key.
Here’s some example from Grammarly:
to buckle
Definition 1: to fasten or secure with a buckle (i.e., a device with a frame, hinged pin, and movable tongue, designed to fasten together two loose ends of a belt or strap). Example 1: Our hiking instructors told us to buckle our backpacks to our bodies during rigorous climbs.
Definition 2: to bend, warp, or collapse under pressure. Example 2: I felt my legs buckle as I hiked up the steep mountain with my heavy backpack.
to cleave
Definition 1: to join or adhere closely; cling. Example 1: The shy baby rabbit cleaved to his mother’s body.
Definition 2: to split or divide, especially by cutting. Example 2: The hunter uses a Swiss Army knife to cleave the rabbit’s meat from the bone.
to overlook
Definition 1: to monitor or inspect. Example 1: Our teachers overlook our academic progress.
Definition 2: to fail to notice or choose not to emphasize. Example 2: Because they are tired, my teachers often overlook the spelling errors in my homework.
to ravel
Definition 1: to tangle. Example 1: When she is bored, my daughter ravels her hair into huge knots with her hands.
Definition 2: to disentangle threads or fibers. Example 2: My daughter uses tweezers to ravel stubborn knots in her hair.
to rent
Definition 1: to sell or lease the use of a commodity. Example 1: The landlord rents her apartment in the city to a young couple.
Definition 2: to buy the use of a commodity. Example 2: Depending on how much money you want to spend, you can rent a room or an entire apartment from the landlord.
to sanction
Definition 1: to permit or grant approval. Example 1: In some countries, the government sanctions the ownership of guns by private citizens.
Definition 2: to condemn or penalize. Example 2: In some states, the government imposes sanctions on the ownership of guns by private citizens.
to screen
Definition 1: to protect or conceal. Example 1: Because he did not have a hat or umbrella, he used a newspaper to screen his face from the sun.
Definition 2: to show or broadcast (a movie or TV show). Example 2: The local movie theater will screen the new horror movie tonight.
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, Who was Salah’s father? Was Salah’s father Arphaxad or Cainan?
CHRISTIAN: We don’t have a contradiction here at all. <Insert response>
OPPONENT: That’s a cop out.
CHRISTIAN: That is not true. Word can have more than one meaning; also words can even have opposite meaning! <Insert Illustration> Yet the meaning used is determined by the context!
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Very wise. Thanks for the insight. Great examples.
Excellent examples. Thank you for this article. This why “context is the key “
Indeed it is an example of how context is key to interpreting the Bible and how fallacious of atheists that just because a word has one meaning they have to go with one that doesn’t fit the context. Christians doing word study is a careful art taking consideration of context! This morning I’m praying for your health, haven’t prayed for that in a while.
Awww pastor Jim, thank you. I am actually going to get my test results tomorrow. You are a God send.
Excellent post, Jim! Words have far more power, meaning and context than we realize!
Amen! Can you think of any other examples of contranymns other than listed? Where you grew up did the word “bad” get used as a slang for something good? Or am I more ghetto lol
We used both mad and bad. There are times when I still say, “that’s mad crazy yo!” I will have to think about examples, I’m lost in the world of dude, bad, mad, rad, gnarly etc.
Thank you, Jim, for shedding light on contronyms and where skeptics fail. Blessings!
Thank you for reading this! Are there any words in Tagalog with two opposite meanings like in English?
There may be, Jim but none that I can think of this moment.💤
This is a good example that further shows the ways skeptics need to be careful when they say something is a contradiction.
Good illustrative examples! Word meanings can tricky. Exegetes need to be careful and responsible. These words remind me of a word that I have thought of using several times in posts that has OPPOSITE meanings.
nonplussed – (of a person) surprised and confused so much that they are unsure how to react.
nonplussed – (of a person) not disconcerted; unperturbed. This is the meaning I normally attribute to the word, but I don’t use the word because some readers may assume I’m intending the opposite!
Wow I never even knew this was a word but good example! Then again I’m also awkward with my grammar and my Vocab isn’t strong when it’s outside military, history and theology lol. Thanks for sharing that! I’m out in the sun as this errand I’m doing involves standing waiting outdoor with no shade! How’s the weather for you guys?
RE: ROC Weather
Reached a high of 90F today. Cut the front lawn and worked on the windows a bit, which wiped me out!
Excellent.
The picture caught my attention, I see it two ways.
I thought that was kind of cool.
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