Don’t Waste Your Bible Contradiction

A few weeks ago my blog hit a milestone of 150 Alleged Bible Contradictions Answered.  These are posts in response to the listing of Bible contradictions from the Skeptic Annotated Bible website.  Looking back at my writings I thought it was important that for Christians when skeptics bring up Bible contradictions to not waste the opportunity to go deeper studying God’s Word.  Why?  It is so we can know how to answer these objection.  But I want to go deeper: Its also to study God’s Word to love God more and to apply the Word of God in our lives by first being in awe and worship of God the Father, the Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

Don’t waste your Bible contradiction.  Here are ten highlights of the devotional thoughts and applications I had looking back at my study of God’s Word while trying to answer these so called Bible contradictions.

1. How long was the ark afloat? We already answered it here.   One of the passage stated “In the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, the ark rested upon the mountains of Ararat” (Genesis 8:4).  I love how there’s a play on words: “rested” in Hebrew is playing on the name of Noah.  Noah’s ark “rested” on the seventh month.  Way after the Noahic age, according to Leviticus 23:23-36 during the time of Moses we see various holidays implemented on the seventh month (the month of Tishri).  This include the Feast of Trumpets, Tabernacles and Scared Assembly.  Leviticus 23:27 also indicate the seventh month was the month of atonement.  This theme of “rest” and “atonement” from the seventh month makes me think of how Christ is our rest and atonement.  Have you found your rest in Christ by trusting in the atonement of Christ?
2. I answered here the question “When did Jesus receive his beating?”  In that post I noted the use of two different Greek verbs to describe the beating/whipping Jesus received before and after Jesus was sentenced to be crucified by Pilate.  The first is the verb μαστιγόω.  It derives from a word that originally referred to horse whip.  The second beating used a verb that is the most severe: φραγελλόω.   The action of φραγελλόω is no longer a slap on the wrist, like one whip a horse.  Lexically the Greek verb refer to a “knout” or “cat” with lashes of knotted cord or even wire.  Its so severe it was forbidden to flog Roman citizens with it.  It was also administered before a capital punishment.  Reading this moves me, thinking of Christ suffering.  He suffered all that before He was even crucified; and He underwent that to save me, a sinner and an enemy of God.  How could I not love Him?
3. I went into geographical details with Burying and Saying Bye to Parents in Luke 9:59-62.  But what I got away from that is noticing how people were given excuses to not follow Jesus.  It made me think more soberly to watch out that I don’t make excuses that sounds really pitiful in not following or obeying Jesus.
4. Speaking of excuses one of the most pathetic so called contradictions (and there are may) was the one raised when the skeptic asked: Are those who obey the law cursed?  It was so clearly not a contradiction that the skeptic on the website had to not quote a verse fully when the verse fully quoted actually affirm the other verse the skeptic tries to get the verses to pit against each other logically.  This was such terrible scholarship you got to question the sinfulness of people to intentionally and deliberately twists Scripture.  This makes me realize people are like what Scripture says in Romans 3:10 and Romans 3:23: That no one seeks God on their own effort and also that all of us are sinful.  How we need God’s grace!
5. From Did Jesus ask God to save him from crucifixion? it dawn on me that the only time in Scripture God answered Jesus with a “no” was during the night before His death as He prayed in the Garden to the Father of whether or not God would allow the cup to pass from Him.  Obviously it did not and Christ would go die for our sins.  It got me thinking of how Jesus is righteous and God listens to Him.  Yet in the one time God answer “no” it was for our benefit: Our salvation.  We should be so grateful and loving towards Jesus and God the Father for allowing our sins to be atoned through the work of Christ on the Cross.
6. While answering Did Jesus drink on the cross? it made me think of how much I love Jesus more for suffering on the Cross fully instead of numbing the pain with the first offer of a drink.  Wow, that’s my loving Savior who took on the full wrath of God the Father, to save me from my sins!
7. Is it a good thing to be childish?  In that post I noted Scripture wants us to be child-like in the sense of being humble and dependent upon God.   Yet at the same time we are not to be immature and childish in the sense of being gullible.  We must test all things with Scripture and be wise in how we communicate!
8. While writing What was the name of the tax collector who was called by Jesus? in its context it reminded me that if we understand what the grace of God through Christ means we should be disciples of Christ and follow Him even if it costs us.
9. Studying to write Did John the Baptist recognize Jesus as the Son of God? it made me realize that a great man of God such as John the Baptist could be discouraged during difficulties.  That made me realize trials and tribulation in my life is not that much of a unique experience; others believers have been through tough times as well and waver.  Still we cling to Jesus and know that our “clinging” to Jesus is the grace of God working within us.
10. Answering Who is the first and the last? reinforce to me that the Divinity of Christ is Biblical.  If Jesus is God don’t forget this most important application: We are to worship Him for He is God and worthy of our Worship!  Have you worshipped Him above all else?  Praise and worship Him now!