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 a post reblogged by Paul that made me think of how this can be a good apologetics’ analogy. The post asks which is the English words that have the most meaning. And it turns out its the word “set:”
The Oxford English Dictionary has entries for over 600,000 words. Which of them would you guess has the most definitions?
Guinness World Records gives the honor — for now, anyway — to set. The Oxford English Dictionary ascribes 430 distinct definitions and nuances to the word. It also commands the longest entry in the dictionary at 60,000 words or 326,000 characters.
While set holds the honor for now, it is not set in stone. The sun appears to be setting on the set of set’s reign.
I love how the article used the word “set” in different ways. Witty.
iHere’s some examples of definitions from the Oxford dictionary:
Definition 1: A group of similar things that belong together in some way. Example: A set of six chairs.
Definition 2: A group of objects used together, for example for playing a game. Example: A chess set.
Definition 3: The scenery used for a play, film, etc. Example: We need volunteers to help build and paint the set.
Definition 4: In sport, one section of a match in games such as tennis or volleyball She won in straight sets (= without losing a set).
Definition 5: A hole in the ground where a badger lives.
Definition 1:For clocks, it means to prepare or arrange something so that it is ready for use or in position set something. Example: Have you set the alarm clock?
Definition 2: To arrange knives, forks, etc. on a table for a meal. Example: Can you help me set the table?
Definition 3: To fix something so that others copy it or try to achieve it. Example: This could set a new fashion.
Definition 4: To give somebody a piece of work to do or a task or target to achieve set something. Example: The government has set a growth target of 6%.
Definition 5: To arrange or fix something; to decide on something. Example: They haven’t set a date for their wedding yet.
Definition 6: To be located in a particular place be set + adv./prep. Example: The house is set in fifty acres of parkland.
Definition 7: To go down below the horizon. Example: We sat and watched the sun setting.
Definition 8: To become solid or hard. Example: Leave the concrete to set for a few hours.
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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Excellent insight brother. This is very helpful. Thanks for the morning inspiration.
Great work! I’m a total word nerd so this has brightened my day!
Awesome! I imagine you are quite the bright nerd who is SET👈😀😆🤓 in the Old Testament, Bible and language and ANE. Hope you be able to join us tonight and if not let Kent know your prayer requests so he can share to us so we pray for them yeah?
I am a MASSIVE tennis fan so game, SET, match! Love it!! I am planning on being there this evening! After the last few days, your Study on the attributes of God where we will SET our minds on the things above (Col 3:1-4) will be a balm to my nefesh (Heb means neck or life source, in English translates as soul)!
Thank you for this illustration and set of examples, Jim! True, a word can have many meanings.
You’re welcome! I try to have illustrations to use for evangelism and apologetics and preaching and hope maybe this can be of use somehow to others. How was your Tuesday my dear brother Kent?
GOD willing, these examples and methodology, Jim, will be the tool to help people understand more on GOD and His Word. Yesterday at this time was watching an online (zoom) you know for four grueling hours. Praying for a cure or end to this pandemic.
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Thanks for this interesting debunking of one of atheism’s methods of attacking the Bible. This reminded me of an episode with our German daughter-in-law when she was staying with us ten years ago. She spoke very good English, but one day she asked me if she could help me with something and I replied saying, “I’m all set.” She was dumbfounded.
Ah a good example of how set is used in more ways than one! When you mention German daughter in law it reminded me of WW2 in battle of Bastogne and the 101st Airborne was surrounded the Germans asked them to surrender and the reply was nuts and they didn’t know what that meant lol. I’m sure you heard of that story before with your reading of history? Another example of the English language I suppose lol
Yup, I did hear that one about the Germans being baffled by “Nuts.” I think I picked that up from the movie, “Patton.”
Excellent.
Thank you Maw Maw! Have a warm Tuesday and a blessed one in the Lord! Thanks for the many reblog and comments too on our FB page!
You are welcome, Grand.
Reblogged this on My Logos Word.
I will never look at the word “set” in the same way again.
Thank you so much . Learning much to helps us in Friday’s outreach .
Aww I’m touched to hear you guys are out there each Friday reaching the Lost! If you ever do use anything on here let me know, not that it’s the biggest thing, just curious, yeah? =)
Sure will!
The Lord bless you.
Good analogy
Atheists are like the cults, often committing word fallacies when they interpret the Bible
Its amazing to think of the many types of fallacies the skeptics commit in their assertion that there’s a Bible contradiction
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Excellent. Bible having words having more than one meaning shouldn’t be reasons to say the Bible has contradictions. That’s rather silly of the critics.
This is helpful example of words having more than one meaning
Good day everyone, my name is Anthony and I’m here to testify about the good things God has done for me
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