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: I saw tonight this news headline: “Mother claims she was left with chemical burns after accidentally eating a handful of mini FIREWORKS thinking they were popping candy.”
The news article said this:
mother-of-one has claimed that she was left with chemical burns after she accidentally ate a handful of mini fireworks thinking they were popping candy.
Lisa Boothroyd, from Rugby, Warwickshire, said she found the multicoloured box of Fun Snaps among the lollipops in a Costcutter store when she was buying snacks for her and her neighbours, and assumed because of the placement they were confectionery.
But the 48-year-old claimed that after returning home and throwing a handful into her mouth she soon realised that they were actually small novelty fireworks sold as trick noisemakers.
I admit I have a hard time thinking this is real. I smell a fraud. How do you open the box and see the wrapping of a firecracker and think that looks like candy?
Still I think if you read the box there’s clues its not a candy. The “literary form” of the box should suggest what is the item that she’s purchasing. The “texture” of the items itself once she opens it makes it hard to misinterpret what it is she has. It has to be willful ignorance or some serious faculty problem to misinterpret “popper” that badly!
Likewise the BIble too must be interpreted according to what passage is located in what genre of writing (literary form). See our hermeneutics series here: Veritas Domain Hermeneutics Series: Course Level One, Two and Three.
This story is ridiculous. Sadly the skeptics often twists God’s Word in this ridiculous fashion.
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, isn’t it a Bible Absurdity when we consider this question: How to be a Good Christian according to Jacob?
CHRISTIAN: We don’t have a contradiction here at all. <Insert response>
OPPONENT: That’s a cop out.
CHRISTIAN: That is not true. <Insert Illustration> Is the singer here saying no one should like and love God?
OPPONENT: No.
CHRISTIAN: Likewise that’s what you are trying to do with this alleged Bible difficulty.
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Excellent insight. Thanks for all you do to spread the good news of Jesus.
Blessings.
Hardened hearts on top of the skeptic’s foolish methodology, Jim! Biblical interpretation is hard. Like, grace, salvation, and oxygen (among others) we rely on GOD. Blessings to you, Nancy, and the kids!
I love how you said this: “ Like, grace, salvation, and oxygen (among others) we rely on GOD.” So true and our dependence on Oxygen is a good analogy too of our need to depend on God. Good point brother! Was there an earthquake for you today, saw a brother on social media from the Island said there was but don’t know what part of the country he lives at…
True, Jim, Biblical interpreration, just like grace, salvation, and oxygen, we rely on GOD for His providence. Yes, there was a 7.0 magnitude earthquake 188 miles away from southernmost tip of the country (or a thousand miles away from the capital) last night and at 4:23 AM California time/PST. Grateful to GOD that there was no Tsunami or both PH and Indonesia will be affected. Timely, it is also in the news right now and there was no serious damage except just some cracks on the walls; thanking GOD for His mercy and protection.
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Oh, boy. Well, both with the box of poppers and the Bible, you gotta do one simple thing: Read it. x-D
Indeed sister, it’s important to read it! And at some point to misinterpret it gets ridiculous. Have you had more ramen yet this year? Lol
Hahaha Right? And oh, you must be new to my blog. I have ramen all the time! 😆😅
I read the daily mail article and how can this not be fake news?! It’s not even logical this would be in the candy section to begin with. If they’re anything like the firecrackers that used to be sold in the states, they would have had an odor to let you know they weren’t candy. Postmodern truth right there, twisting truth to fit one’s own perceptions and desires.
Yes, I see a great degree of willful ignorance employed over and over again by Steve/Stephen Wells.
Agreed it’s crazy how willfully ignorant he is! It should make us see how ridiculous Steve is like how ridiculous this story of this lady misinterpreting the poppers the more one thinks about this story. But I don’t think most skeptics think deeply enough about these various contradictions nor study it up more. How’s your steps these days?
Only 5K steps today. I’m purposely keeping my step count low in anticipation of tomorrow. How are your steps doing? I know it’s early yet. I averaged 5.5K/day in December and I’ve upped it to 8K this month.
This lady clearly needs help
I agree. That or she wants money with a lawsuit
This is so embarrassing
Very good Analogy.
Thanks! Hope this example shows how foolish atheists are like misrepresenting the Bible. How are you this week?
Doing well, Thank you.
Love this piece Jim. I love your insights. Very good ( questionable on the persons part) picture and examples. Blessings.
I couldn’t work out the meme until I read the post . Excellent! Makes so much sense. Thank you .
Thanks for reading this post. I think saying the BIble has contradiction is often as foolish as what this lady said she did. How did your Friday go?
Friday went well. School holidays at the moment and so lots of young people around which is great.
something is not right with her
Thanks for sharing this post SlimJim! This is very helpful ☺️.
A fitting illustration for the ones who twists God’s Word intentionally
Here’s a tagline for apologetics that promotes a presup approach https://philosophical-theology.com/tag/apologetics/
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[…] Contradiction and Contronyms, Bible Contradiction and Mistaking ‘poppers’ for Candy and Bible Contradiction and the Word with the Most Definitions for my point that natural language […]
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