Point: Sometimes when one engage in apologetics the issue of alleged Bible contradiction comes up and the example given of a Bible contradiction really isn’t a Bible contradiction but an instance where one account gives lesser detail than another account. Think for instance of those who raise the question “How many men were possessed with demons at the country of the Gadarenes?” Are there examples we can give in other areas outside of the Bible of how such a tactic to claim there’s a Bible contradiction is problematic?
Picture: I love Marine Corps history. One of the Marine Division I like to learn about is the First Marine Division.
I was looking at websites about this Division’s history in World War Two. One of the things I noticed that each of the websites presented the details differently. Some websites mentioned certain details and some did not.
For example one site mentioned that between the Cape Gloucester Campaign on New Britain and Peleliu the First Marine Division went to Pavuvu to rest, refitted and train. See here. Yet the official 1st Marine Division website did not mention anything about Pavuvu. See here.
Does that mean there’s a contradiction on websites concerning the 1st Marine Division history? No. Some websites focused on various parts of the history but together they present a bigger and better picture. There are not any contradictions.
Yet often
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, “How many men were possessed with demons at the country of the Gadarenes?” Was there one or two?
CHRISTIAN: We don’t have a contradiction here at all. <Insert response>
OPPONENT: That’s a cop out. No one does history like that. Not with secular history.
CHRISTIAN: That is not true. <Insert Illustration> When one website mentioned the Marines went to Cape Gloucester and Peleliu that does not mean there’s no other place the Marines went after that: Pavuvu for instance. Did you ever do any report or assignments on the pilgrims as a kid?
OPPONENT: I did.
CHRISTIAN: I’m sure you and most kids wouldn’t be making a point there’s a contradiction when we read all those books but we are engage in synthesizing the data. Let us therefore also be consistent with the Bible.
The Domain for Truth 
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Thank you.
Thank you Bonnie for reading this! I hope you are doing ok?
Same for you. I am well.
Excellent insight. Love your analogy.
Shalom!
Thanks for reading this! Hope your computer is not giving you further problem?
I finally got it to turn on. Not a good sign though. I cannot work without it. All I do is online.
Great work! I appreciate these illustrations!!!
Thanks Mandy for reading them! I enjoy writing these posts! How are you Mandy?
I am good, I am with my mom until Friday. How was last night?!
Different historians have different agendas, different aspects of history they see the need to write about. Similarly, each of the books of the Bible focuses on something different from all the others. That includes the four Gospels. Matthew justifies Jesus as our King. Mark points to the servant role of Jesus. Luke emphasizes that Jesus is the Savior of all mankind, not just the Jews. And John focuses on the fact that Jesus is God and worthy of our worship. Therefore, BECAUSE each book has different purpose, each book emphasizes different facts. The need to properly tell us what we need to know about Jesus is why we have four different Gospels.
Amen! A big amen and I agree with your point. It seems the skeptics are rather simplistic and ignorant of historical works
Alleged contradictions in the Bible are an excuse for rebellion. It is good that you take the time to show that those contradictions really aren’t there.
Thanks Frank for reading them! Also thanks for the Mewe likes and comments! I appreciate it
Great illustration even the 4 gospels differs slightly in their content.
It has to do with the author what they were paying more attention to.
Some pay more attention to the clothing, some the confidence some the statistics, etc.
Exactly! Well said in your comment that further reinforce the point! The atheists often make these mistakes in asserting there’s a contradiction! Hope you are doing well.
Yes, I am doing well Pastor.You know I was worried about those commentaries but I learned recently that many unskilled people are commenting the Bible.
The Bible is a spiritual book, a canal mind cannot fully fathom those mysteries.
Thanks for this good analogy! I have heard people parrot the argument, “The Bible is full of contradictions,” although they have never read the Bible themselves.
Its interesting how many people parrot that line about the Bible having contradictions but never read it for themselves; and even for those who said they read it, how few of them have actually spent time studying it beyond just reading a verse here and there from a topical Bible sermon where the passage is posted on the powerpoint in a screen for the audience….but I digress! Praying for you this morning with the IRS matters!
RE: not wanting to read the Bible
Many are afraid it might “cramp their style.” It’s hard to relate to unbelievers’ thinking at this point, but why wouldn’t a person be curious about what God says? Of course, respect for the Bible as God’s Word has declined greatly since I was young.
RE: IRS
Thanks, Jimmy. We still need to decide on a path forward. Making an appointment with a CPA is probably the best option.
What’s on the agenda for your Wednesday?
Reblogged this on clydeherrin.
Great post. I have read many times that the ancient Israelites saw no contradiction if you presented greater numbers. For example, if one story said there were two present, then that would not contradict the contention that one was present.
Nonetheless, if you have nothing but identical re-telling of one story, that is evidence of collusion — not of several people observing an event from their perspective.
Very good points. I like your last paragraph. Indeed if everything was exactly similar the skeptics still won’t be satisfied but said there is collusion. Have a blessed day today and thank you for reading this
Meaningful points! Your World War II historical account shares how different accounts about the Marines cover the same time period, but with different perspectives and facts. This relates to the Bible’s similar journey. God intended for the Word to gather a broad view of certain events. In the Gospels, we read about Christ’s persecution, crucifixion, and resurrection from differing views. We are blessed to read and witness from four accounts instead of one.
Indeed thanks for reminding us of the blessing from different views the Word gives on a narrative moment in history etc. blessings to you brother!!
Blessings back to you Jim!
Another similar example is the account of World War Two say Iwo Jima, from Japanese and American sources that compliment and fill in the details of one another
Yes thank you for that Japanese perspective!
You are welcome, glad its welcome
[…] contradicting with the first account. I think of the recent example I gave in my post “First Marine Division History and alleged Bible Contradiction.” Multiple other examples abound such as Gold Medal at the Cambrian Patrol, […]
Not just a good tactic to use but a factual one. Many times rhetoric can be used on both sides, but facts are not so malleable when they are easy to ascertain. Like the example you used. May the Lord bring it and all the apologetic tools you give us to mind when we are questioned on the authority and inerrancy of God’s Word.
Thanks! Hope these illustrations are in some sense helpful! Hope you are doing ok with the cold and hope warm days are coming soon!
They are helpful!!! What a service you’re doing your readership adducing them for us! As for the cold, yes, I keep focused on what’s to come. Meanwhile it isn’t as bad as it was last year for me.
Just saw this article by a famed Yale computer scientist/professor referenced in a blog post on the untenability of Darwinian evolution and thought you might be interested:
https://claremontreviewofbooks.com/giving-up-darwin/